Required skills

identifying factors leading to emergencies in aquatic workplaces

improvising in the use of workplace equipment to assist a rescue

prioritising rescue techniques and performing a simple rescue of one person in difficulty

providing first aid and aftercare including management of immersionrelated illness and injury

recognising and assessing aquatic emergencies and situations requiring a rescue response

selecting and preparing wading and safety equipment

undertaking safe entry wading and exit techniques

utilising OHS for prevention of illness and injury in aquatic environments

utilising personal water safety and survival skills including selfpreservation in rescue situations

Literacy skills used for

checking data on weather and water conditions

reading safety instructions

Numeracy skills used for

determining immersion times

Required knowledge

characteristics of a person in difficulty

characteristics of different types of waders and their safe use

factors that contribute to aquatic emergency situations

first aid and resuscitation techniques

hazards in marine and freshwater environments and workplaces

local water temperatures and factors that influence survival time

physiological effects of cold water immersion

principles of individual and group survival in aquatic emergencies

principles of water rescues including how to prioritise rescues and rescue techniques

relevant equipment and safety requirements including OHS and legislative requirements

treatment of temperaturerelated illnesses

water rescue equipment and principles for improvised use of other equipment to assist rescue

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to

identify factors that contribute to an aquatic emergency

minimise risks associated with use of waders in a natural environment

dress appropriately and prepare waders for use in the workplace

enter water safely whilst wearing waders as an individual and in a group

respond appropriately to a situation where footing is lost or unexpected deep water encountered

manage an individual and group cold water survival situation wearing waders

correctly identify a casualty requiring assistance and perform a rescue that minimises risk to self and others

assess the condition of a casualty and provide first aid and aftercare consistent with current guidelines

accurately report incident and notify other relevant personnel according to legislative regulatory and organisation requirements

Assessment must confirm knowledge of

factors that influence survival time in water

hazards and risks associated with use of waders

principles of individual and group survival in aquatic emergencies

water rescue techniques

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency must be assessed in the context of marine or freshwater workplaces in which waders are used For valid and reliable assessment there must be access to water of varying depths including water too deep to stand up in The environment should be safe with simulation of the hazards and circumstances likely to be encountered in a real workplace such as the simulation of waves or tidal affects

The following resources must be available at assessment

a real or simulated aquatic work environment

bucket container or similar object that can be used to assist flotation

buoyant equipment

PFDs

poles or boat hook or other equipment used to reach someone in difficulty

ropes

rules policies and regulations of relevant peak bodies andor employer organisations

safety and rescue equipment normally used in the workplace

suitable clothing normally worn under or with waders

waders

wide adjustable belt such as a divers webbing belt with quick release buckle

Method of assessment

This unit must be assessed with candidates wearing the type of clothing including waders that will be worn in the workplace and with access to the type of equipment that is likely to be used in survival and rescue situations Competency must be assessed in water that is shallow enough to stand in before candidate is assessed in deeper water

The following assessment methods are suggested

consideration of required attitude to safety

demonstration of processes and procedures

oral andor written questioning on required knowledge and application of required skills

performance of survival and rescue tasks

Guidance information for assessment

This competency should be assessed independently of other units and before candidate undertakes work in waders

Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:

OHS guidelines may include:

Types of waders include:

Environmental hazards may include:

Factors contributing to aquatic emergencies may include:

Sudden immersion in cold water may result in:

Types of aquatic emergencies may include:

Factors that influence cold water survival time include:

Appropriate clothing and safety equipment may include:

Entry techniques may include:

Wading techniques include:

Wader safety tuck position includes:

Survival techniques include:

Techniques to extend survival time include:

Survival strokes may include

A person in need of assistance may include:

A rescue plan may include:

Best practice principles of water safety may include:

Search techniques include:

Simple rescue techniques may include:

First aid and after-care may include: