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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Identify and evaluate major aquatic emergencies.
   • Recognise factors which contribute to aquatic emergencies.
   • Recognise signs and signals of aquatic emergency and communicate initial assessment to appropriate personnel.
   • Identify appropriate emergency response for the situation and people involved.
   • Promote compliance with safety rules of aquatic facility to clients.
2. Respond to aquatic emergency.
   • Activate emergency systems and implement strategies for group control.
   • Assess factors impacting on the advanced water rescue and formulate a rescue plan.
   • Determine appropriate involvement of others, type of rescue required and rescue equipment needed.
   • Identify hazards and take appropriate action to prevent further injury to the casualty, self or others.
   • Perform an advanced water rescue using established techniques and procedures and safe manual handling techniques.
3. Assess the casualty.
   • Observe and assess condition of the casualty.
   • Assess vital signs and symptoms of shock and provide appropriate treatment.
4. Organise further emergency care as required.
   • Contact emergency services and provide accurate information to obtain required assistance.
   • Monitor casualty or arrange further treatment until emergency response team assumes responsibility.
5. Record and report the incident.
   • Complete required documentation in agreed format.
   • Notify other personnel and statutory authorities of incident as required.
6. Identify and evaluate major aquatic emergencies.
   • Recognise factors which contribute to aquatic emergencies.
   • Recognise signs and signals of aquatic emergency and communicate initial assessment to appropriate personnel.
   • Identify appropriate emergency response for the situation and people involved.
   • Promote compliance with safety rules of aquatic facility to clients.
7. Respond to aquatic emergency.
   • Activate emergency systems and implement strategies for group control.
   • Assess factors impacting on the advanced water rescue and formulate a rescue plan.
   • Determine appropriate involvement of others, type of rescue required and rescue equipment needed.
   • Identify hazards and take appropriate action to prevent further injury to the casualty, self or others.
   • Perform an advanced water rescue using established techniques and procedures and safe manual handling techniques.
8. Assess the casualty.
   • Observe and assess condition of the casualty.
   • Assess vital signs and symptoms of shock and provide appropriate treatment.
9. Organise further emergency care as required.
   • Contact emergency services and provide accurate information to obtain required assistance.
   • Monitor casualty or arrange further treatment until emergency response team assumes responsibility.
10. Record and report the incident.
    • Complete required documentation in agreed format.
    • Notify other personnel and statutory authorities of incident as required.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

identify and respond to all of the following signs and signals of aquatic emergencies according to organisational and legislative requirements:

call for help

vertical body position

diagonal body position

minimal or non-supportive leg action

vigorous arm movements

submerged or unconscious person

use the following equipment and techniques during rescue situations:

spinal immobilisation equipment

oxygen supplemented resuscitation

oxygen therapy

safe manual handling techniques

demonstrate correct swimming strokes, personal survival and rescue skills:

personal survival and defensive techniques on approach to a casualty

contact tow of both a conscious and unconscious casualty

non-contact tow of a conscious casualty

successfully complete fitness and strength tests:

swim 200 metres in less than 6 minutes without using equipment

retrieve an object from the deepest water within the aquatic environment no greater than 3 metres in depth. If depth is greater than 3 metres assistance may be used e.g. fins

respond in a team to at least two of each of the simulated emergency scenarios contextualised to the candidate’s workplace/aquatic environment:

assist two other team members with the removal of an unconscious person from the water

complete a 25 metre swim and 25 metre non-contact tow of a conscious casualty with assisted landing in less than 1minute 45 seconds

work as a team to perform spinal immobilisation, stabilization and removal of a suspected spinal injury casualty in both shallow and deep water:

immobilise and roll over as per workplace and pool depth

use of available spinal immobilisation equipment.

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Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

legislation and organisational policies and procedures that enable the safe and appropriate conduct of all activities:

work health and safety/occupational health and safety

duty of care

working with children

communication protocols

rescue and emergency procedures

incident reporting

factors leading to aquatic emergencies:

swimming ability

deep water

shallow water

river currents

surf conditions

strong winds

risk taking behaviour

different aquatic emergencies and appropriate responses:

sudden unconsciousness

spinal injury

drowning

heart attack

severe bleeding

epileptic seizures

severe asthma attacks

factors contributing to aquatic emergencies to enable prompt and accurate assessment of emergency situations:

number of casualties

rescue equipment

number and location of other staff

accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues

first aid techniques and standards to enable provision of safe and effective response and treatment of casualties

types and characteristics of water rescue equipment used in advanced water rescue to enable safe and effective use:

spinal immobilisation equipment

oxygen supplemented resuscitation

oxygen therapy

role of lifeguards and other personnel during major aquatic emergencies to enable effective emergency responses.

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