Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue)
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
11 units of competency are required for this qualification including:
6 core units
5 elective units
Choose a minimum of 3 elective units from the list below.
Choose the remaining 2 elective units from either the elective list below or elsewhere within this training package or another endorsed training package or accredited course.
All elective units selected from outside this qualification must be from an equivalent qualification level or higher.
Elective units selected must not duplicate content already covered by other units in this qualification.
Where a pre-requisite unit is attached to a unit it is identified by this symbol .
The pre-requisite units attached to any of the units must be undertaken and are additional to the number of units required for the qualification.
Code | Core Units |
Communicate in the workplace | |
Maintain safety at an incident scene | |
Operate communications systems and equipment | |
Search as a member of an aquatic search team | |
Work effectively in a public safety organisation | |
Apply first aid | |
Code | Elective Units |
Provide services to clients | |
Administer oxygen in an emergency situation PUAEME001B Provide emergency care | |
Provide emergency care for suspected spinal injury HLTFA211A Provide basic emergency life support OR HLTFA311A Apply first aid | |
Provide pain management HLTFA211A Provide basic emergency life support OR HLTFA311A Apply first aid | |
PUAEMR026 | Treat operational risk PUAEMR027 Assess operational risk |
PUAEMR027 | Assess operational risk |
Prepare, maintain and test response equipment | |
Follow defined occupational health and safety policies and procedures | |
Navigate in an aquatic environment | |
Operate an automated external defibrillator in an emergency PUAEME001B Provide emergency care OR HLTFA211A Provide basic emergency life support | |
Control a Level 1 incident | |
Undertake beach safety management activities | |
Promote public safety objectives by liaison with a culturally specific community | |
Operate and maintain a small powercraft and motor for rescue operations | |
Crew small powercraft in a rescue operation | |
Operate and maintain a personal water craft for rescue operations | |
Undertake advanced surf rescue PUACOM001C Communicate in the workplace PUASAR012C Apply surf awareness and self-rescue skills PUASAR013A Participate in an aquatic rescue operation | |
Work as a team member in an emergency operations centre | |
Work autonomously | |
Drive vehicles under operational conditions | |
Contribute to team effectiveness | |
Provide first aid in remote situation | |
Apply advanced first aid | |
Apply advanced resuscitation techniques | |
Undertake helicopter safety and escape | |
Perform basic water rescues | |
Supervise clients at an aquatic facility or environment | |
Perform advanced water rescues | |
Assist participants with a disability during aquatic activities |
Pathways into the qualification
Candidates may enter the qualification through a number of entry points demonstrating potential to undertake vocational education and training at this qualification level, such as:
after achieving the PUA21012 Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
working in a lifesaver, lifeguard, first responder or marine rescue role
with vocational experience in beach or marine safety and first responder roles.
Pathways from the qualification
After achieving the PUA31312 Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue), candidates may undertake a range of qualifications relevant to their role, such as:
PUA41112 Certificate IV in Public Safety (Community Safety)
PUA42612 Certificate IV in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue Management).
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Employability Skills are part of a unit of competency.
Employability Skills statements from a selection of units of competency from the PUA31312 Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue) have been reproduced in the table below.
This table provides an example of Employability Skills for the qualification because Employability Skills within a qualification will vary depending on the qualification packaging options.
Employability Skill | Employability Skills Statement |
Communication | accurately record the details of casualties' condition, treatment and response to treatment in line with organisation's procedures communicate, which may include Auslan gestures; calming and reassuring a casualty; face-to-face; facsimile; feedback of information; landline and mobile telephone; pamphlets translated into other languages; radio; signalling systems; using interpreters record vital signs in planning treatment and report as appropriate relay instructions clearly, concisely and accurately and obtain confirmation of understanding use clear concise and appropriate language in all communications to client, assignment and organisation's requirements use established communication pathways for routine and non-routine communication use questioning, learning and summarising skills to establish client needs write reports |
Teamwork | assist members of other emergency services contribute to maintaining safety of other work group members have knowledge of the composition of team and the roles and responsibilities of team members move a casualty, which may be as part of a team establish issues affecting safety of self and other personnel by identifying hazards and assessing risks obtain search operation information and task information, and discuss with team members participate in group discussions and informal meetings |
Problem solving | apply fault finding techniques assess the movement of a casualty to a safer location by scene assessment, visual inspections, planning reviews, recognising hazard warnings, interviewing others at the scene employ alternative communication strategies identify hazards to self and others and take appropriate action to safeguard against injury provide emergency care pending the arrival of appropriately qualified personnel seek expert advice |
Initiative and enterprise | assess extent and nature of emergency care required assist work group members in danger in accordance with standard operating procedures, ensuring personal safety is maintained immediately report any changes in situation and/or conditions to designated person improvise techniques where there is limited access to equipment monitor, assess and amend treatment and management plan in response to changes in condition of the casualty and/or environment |
Planning and organising | assess extent and nature of initial emergency care required select and check personal protective clothing and equipment according to organisational procedures to ensure it is operational prior to entry into incident situation select and check search equipment for serviceability, and store/pack it for use use equipment according to casualty's condition, availability and to organisation's procedures use search formation or grids to locate missing persons or objects |
Self-management | establish issues affecting safety of self and other personnel by identifying hazards and assessing risks implement hazard control and mitigation measures with minimum damage to the environment, while maintaining safety of self and others maintain knowledge of legal and ethical issues in pre-hospital care and knowledge of current practices and procedures in emergency care maintain universal hygiene precautions maintain water and food intake, rest breaks and shelter requirements recognise impact of own actions on safety of others remain calm under pressure undertake duties in line with organisational health and safety codes of practice and relevant legislation |
Learning | learn about current practices and procedures in emergency care maintain knowledge in managing identified injuries in line with approved emergency care recognise and refer personal capabilities and limitations to the team leader recognise and report symptoms of operational stress |
Technology | identify hazards by accessing databases operate first aid equipment use communication systems and equipment use hazard control equipment such as atmospheric monitoring equipment; meteorological equipment; radiation monitoring equipment use search equipment such as radio communications equipment; information technology systems; mobile telephone; radio; signalling systems |