Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MEA503A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Maintain and fit immersion suits

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MEA503A - Maintain and fit immersion suits
Description This Unit is part of the Aeroskills Life Support and Furnishing AQF III and IV training pathways. It covers the competencies required to maintain and fit immersion suits. Maintenance involves inspecting, testing, isolating faults, replacing or sending away for repair, cleaning and packing prior to placing the item back into service. No licensing requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.This Unit is equivalent to PUADEFLS003A Maintain and fit immersion suits.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit requires application of skills and knowledge relating to the maintenance and fitment of immersion suits. Maintenance involves inspection, testing, fault diagnosis, replacement of parts and cleaning. Fitment involves adjusting the immersion suit to correctly fit an individual.There are two types of immersion suits: quick don and constant wear. Quick don usually does not require fitting while constant wear is custom fitted to the individual.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites MEA101B Interpret occupational health and safety practices in aviation maintenance MEA103B Plan and organise aviation maintenance work activity MEA105B Apply quality standards applicable to aviation maintenance processes MEA107B Interpret and use aviation maintenance industry manuals and specifications MEA108B Complete aviation maintenance industry documentation MEA109B Perform basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance LMTTF2008A Use adhesives MEA118A Conduct self in the aviation maintenance environment
Competency Field Aircraft life support
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Maintain immersion suit
  • Immersion suit is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Immersion suit is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturer's specifications.
  • Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty immersion suit is quarantined.
  • Unserviceable parts of the immersion suit are replaced.
  • Immersion suit is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures
  • Immersion suit is re-packed in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Immersion suit is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures.
       
Element: Fit immersion suit
  • Fitting process is explained to the participant so that optimal fit can be achieved.
  • Participant is measured and appropriate size immersion suit is selected.
  • Immersion suit is adjusted to optimise fit in conjunction with participant feedback.
  • Immersion suit fit is verified by the supervisor.
  • Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to maintain and fit immersion suits while using the correct PPE and observing all relevant safety precautions.

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

The underlying skills inherent in this unit should be transferable across a range of aircraft life support equipment maintenance activities. It is essential that immersion suit testing and inspection procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions, including the correct use of PPE, are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret maintenance and fitting procedures and apply them in practice is critical.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to immersion suit maintenance and fitting is essential. This is to be demonstrated through demonstration of the ability to recognise faults and damage and perform appropriate repairs that are within the bounds of the individual's authority, and through the demonstration of correct fitting procedures. The work plan should take account of applicable safety and quality requirements in accordance with the industry and regulatory standards.

A person cannot be assessed as competent until it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the workplace assessor that the relevant elements of the Unit of Competency are being achieved under routine supervision on a representative range of maintenance tasks and on the correct fitting of immersion suits. This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement or, where appropriate, an equivalent Industry .

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace using materials, tools and equipment specified in the maintenance manuals and applicable procedures. It is also expected that general and special purpose tools and ground support equipment would be used where appropriate.

Method of assessment

Guidance information for assessment

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

Application of occupational health and safety (OHS) practices relating to immersion suit maintenance processes, including the selection and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) where applicable

Use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

The use of applicable tools and maintenance documentation to:

test/inspect immersion suits for serviceability

replace unserviceable components in accordance with approved procedures including the use of hazardous materials and adhesives

select and use appropriate immersion suit cleaning materials

correctly fit immersion suits to users

Operating specialist equipment including:

heat press

vacuum heat sealer

3 stage in-line breathing apparatus

filter extraction systems

spill kits

Cleaning and maintenance of equipment and tools

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

Relevant regulations, standards, enterprise procedures and maintenance publications

OHS procedures relating to immersion suit maintenance including the selection and use of PPE

How to obtain MSDS

Emergency procedures in relation to chemical spills and emergency evacuation of personnel in distress

Chemical disposal procedures

Requirements for storage of adhesives

Cold shock and hypothermia in relation to survival

Priorities of survival and how they relate to immersion suits and associated ancillary equipment

Physiological effects of flight

Critical nature of maintaining and fitting immersion suits

Materials used to manufacture immersion suits (i.e. neoprene and gortex)

Operation of testing and measuring equipment and tools used to maintain immersion suits

Components of an immersion suit and their function

Types of corrosion and contamination that may affect immersion suits

Modification requirements for immersion suits

Immersion suit repair procedures and limitations

Immersion suit cleaning methods and materials

Handling, storage and transit procedures relating to life support equipment

Handling and storage procedures relating to immersion suits (i.e. MACPAC highly susceptible to damage)

Specialist equipment operation including:

heat press

vacuum heat sealer

3 stage in-line breathing apparatus

filter extraction systems

spill kits

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.

Standard procedures

Standard procedures may be found in any or all of:

State/Territory/Commonwealth OH&S legislation, regulations and codes

Australian Standards

equipment manufacturers' specifications, and procedures

industry practices

safety manual

maintenance schedules

work instructions

maintenance organisation manual

MSDS

defence regulations and instructions

standing instructions

Faults

Faults may include:

contamination

corrosion of metal parts such as zippers

delamination

incorrect manufacture

leaks

lifting of tapes

scuffing (e.g. boot)

tears in suit and/or seals

Parts of the immersion suit

Parts of the immersion suit may include:

boots

gloves

life line

light

seals (e.g. wrist, neck)

whistle

Adjustment of the immersion suit

Adjustment of the immersion suit may include:

leg length

sleeve length

trimming seals

Application of this unit may relate to:

scheduled or unscheduled maintenance activities

individual or team related activities

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Immersion suit is inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures. 
Immersion suit is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturer's specifications. 
Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty immersion suit is quarantined. 
Unserviceable parts of the immersion suit are replaced. 
Immersion suit is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures 
Immersion suit is re-packed in accordance with standard procedures. 
Immersion suit is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard procedures. 
Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures. 
Fitting process is explained to the participant so that optimal fit can be achieved. 
Participant is measured and appropriate size immersion suit is selected. 
Immersion suit is adjusted to optimise fit in conjunction with participant feedback. 
Immersion suit fit is verified by the supervisor. 
Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MEA503A - Maintain and fit immersion suits
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MEA503A - Maintain and fit immersion suits

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: