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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify and evaluate major aquatic emergencies.
  2. Respond to the emergency.
  3. Assess the casualty.
  4. Organise further emergency care as required.
  5. Record and report the incident.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

assert group control

reassure casualties and bystanders

provide clear and accurate information to emergency authorities

literacy skills to accurately complete incident documentation

problemsolving skills to promptly assess aquatic emergencies and formulate appropriate rescue plans

teamwork skills to

organise staff and bystanders

delegate tasks to enable effective rescues

ability to retrieve an object from the deepest water within the aquatic environment no greater than metres if depth is greater than metres assistance may be used eg fins

ability to complete a metre swim and metre tow with assisted landing in less than minute and seconds

ability to complete a 25 metre swim and 25 metre tow with assisted landing in less than 1minute and 45 seconds

fitness and strength level to swim metres in less than minutes

Required knowledge

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

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

accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues to enable prompt and appropriate responses to major aquatic emergencies

signs and signals of people in difficulty to enable prompt recognition of emergency situations

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 its safe and effective use

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

Evidence Required

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

Evidence of the following is essential

identifies the signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water and determines possible contributing factors to enable prompt assessment and formulation of a suitable rescue plan

determines appropriate rescue types and participates as part of a team in rescues in the water that involve more than one casualty

demonstrates the use of spineboards spinal immobilisation collars oxygen supplemented resuscitation and oxygen therapy on sufficient occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

monitors accurately assesses and treats casualties and communicates effectively with emergency services

accurately reports incidents and notifies other relevant personnel according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

access to an aquatic environment appropriate to the candidates current or intended work role such as a swimming pool or confined natural shallow water venue to enable rescues to be demonstrated in the water

access to suitable participants to enable demonstration of advanced water rescue techniques

access to rescue and resuscitation equipment

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

demonstration of the performance of safe and effective advanced water rescues of multiple casualties as part of a team

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues and how they apply to safe and effective conduct of rescues

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing candidates performance

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Factors which contribute to major aquatic emergencies may include:

swimming ability

deep water

shallow water

river currents

surf

strong wind

risk-taking behaviour.

Signs and signals may include:

calling for help

vertical body position

diagonal body position

minimal or non-supportive leg action

vigorous arm movements

head tilted up and back, face turned to safety or help

submerged.

Aquatic emergency may include:

envenomation by aquatic animals

sudden unconsciousness

spinal injury

drowning

heart attack

severe bleeding

epileptic seizures

severe asthma attacks.

Appropriate personnel may include:

other rescuers

staff.

Accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues may include:

accepted preventative practice adopted throughout the aquatic industry to minimise safety hazards or risks to casualty, bystanders and rescuer

The Royal Life Saving Society Australia guidelines and code of conduct policies

the culture of lifesaving

current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

duty of care

working with children.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use and care of lifesaving equipment

communication protocols

safety, rescue and emergency procedures

incident reporting.

Emergency response may include:

rescue equipment required

personnel involved

group control

risk management for self and others.

Strategies for group control may include:

removing facility users from danger

giving clear direction to other staff

dealing effectively with caregivers or friends of person in difficulty.

Factors may include:

number of casualties

rescue equipment

number and location of other staff.

Advanced water rescue may include:

spine-board

spinal immobilisation collar

oxygen supplemented resuscitation

oxygen therapy.

Rescue plan may include:

self-preservation

awareness of personal capabilities

available assistance

selection of rescue aids

nature of the area

priorities of rescue.

Involvement of others may include:

bystanders

trained or untrained staff.

Rescue equipment may include:

reaching aids

ropes

floatation aids

flippers

rescue tube

spine-board

spinal immobilisation collar

rescue board

oxygen resuscitation equipment.

First aid techniques and standards may include:

danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation routine

Australian Resuscitation Council Standards.