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

PUASAR021A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Search as part of a canine search team at USAR incidents

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PUASAR021A - Search as part of a canine search team at USAR incidents
Description This unit covers the competency required to deploy a canine search team to search for and locate multiple people concealed in a structural collapse, and to manage the canine during the search.A canine search team consists of one disaster search canine and one canine search specialist.The canine search team must be capable of working together in disaster search operations to locate victims. The canine must be capable of searching independently and efficiently, as directed by the canine search specialist.The types of incidents that may require the skills and knowledge of an urban search and rescue (USAR) canine search team working as a member of a USAR task force include earthquake, terrorist incident, aircraft crash, disaster or major structural collapse.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to canine search specialists intending to work with task forces actively involved in USAR incidents and disaster operations.This unit has been aligned to the basic operational level of the Australian USAR Canine Capability Operational Framework as outlined in the Australian Urban Search and Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline; canine search teams seeking accreditation as operational task force members under this framework should refer to the guideline and not rely only on the information contained in this unit of competency.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites PUASAR020A Develop a canine search team for USAR incidents
Competency Field
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: Prepare for search
  • Interviews and site assessment are conducted to establish an appropriate search strategy
  • Risks contained in the search area are identified and assessed, and appropriate safety procedures are implemented
  • Adjustments are made where appropriate to search strategy in accordance with any changes in environmental conditions, search progress, any other relevant information that becomes available and current rescue work being undertaken
       
Element: Handle and control canine
  • Work is undertaken with canine in a safe and appropriate manner
  • Control of canine is maintained at all times
  • Willingness to work independently is demonstrated by canine
  • Commands are responded to by canine in the presence of distractions
  • Assistance is provided to canine where appropriate
       
Element: Conduct search
  • Canine is deployed off lead and appropriate actions, indications and characteristics to ensure search area is covered effectively are demonstrated by canine
  • Location of and commitment to live human scent is demonstrated by canine
  • Location of live human scent with a bark alert is correctly indicated by canine during a search on a simulated collapse site
  • Actions, indications and characteristics of the canine to correctly identify the presence of live human scent are correctly interpreted
  • Location of live human scent is correctly interpreted by canine search specialist
  • Search areas are covered within required timeframe
       
Element: Provide search debriefing
  • Relevant information is recorded accurately in accordance with legislative and jurisdictional requirements
  • Sketch of search area is provided on completion of search
  • Recommendations are provided to relevant personnel on completion of the search
       
Element: Maintain canine welfare and safety
  • Appropriate care/safety/welfare for the canine and self is demonstrated in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and guidelines
  • Basic care of canine is implemented
       


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, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

follow the Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline

implement USAR canine search methods and techniques

handle a canine to maintain control and prevent accidents or injury to self and/or other/s including members of the public

apply emergency first aid techniques for canines

only accompanying the canine on the rubble pile when find is indicated or when directed by the assessor

conduct four searches within a 24 hour period; two searches must be conducted consecutively

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time under a range of conditions that would be expected in the workplace.

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.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

adjust handling strategies in response to changing environments

adjust search strategies in response to changing environments

carry out and interpret verbal instructions

collect, analyse and organise information to develop an effective search strategy

control a canine off lead including in public locations

demonstrate appropriate commands when handling a canine

handle a canine to maintain control and prevent accidents or injury to self and/or other/s including members of the public

interpret the actions and indications given by a canine

maintain physical fitness

make sound decisions in rapidly changing and often high risk environments

manage time and priorities in response to changing environments

work with other canine search teams

Required Knowledge

alert behaviours of canines and their causes such as the bark alert (spontaneous repetitive barking for twenty seconds barking, which may be interspersed with digging and attempts to penetrate)

Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline

biological and infectious hazards and safe management, particularly involving human remains

canine olfactory system

capabilities of canines working within USAR operations

disaster victim identification principles and phases of operation

canine behaviour

canine physiology

canine psychology

factors used to determine appropriate search strategies

INSARAG structural and victim marking systems

organisational occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation as it applies to urban search and rescue

organisational task force policies and procedures

principles of canine training including control, association, repetition, commands, rewards, correction and positive motivational methodologies

risk analysis

safe working systems to reduce canine related incidents

scent theory and its application to the USAR environment such as commitment to live human scent (very good penetration drive, being committed to the scent, not leaving victim location)

USAR canine search methods and techniques

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Interviews must include questions that determine:

time of the structural collapse

type of occupancy of the structure (school, office, apartment, building, etc.)

number of suspected missing

if structure has been searched before

if structural engineer has checked the building and findings

if structure is safe to enter

if blueprints are available

if HAZMAT has checked the area and findings

if utilities have been isolated, how and by whom

if heavy rescue is available

if medical is available

if a veterinarian is available

Site assessment techniques may include:

identifying any exclusion zones

identifying hazards

incident action plan

prevailing wind and weather conditions

results of initial reconnaissance

Search strategy must include:

delineation of primary and secondary search areas based on:

information gathered from interview/s

site assessment

Risks may include:

climatic conditions

distractions

lighting

other animals present

protruding objects

slippery floors

steps

terrain and obstacles to be traversed

Environmental conditions may include:

building configuration and size

cold

heat

rain

time delay

wind

Safe and appropriate manner may include:

canine search team being confident, calm and methodical

canine working off lead

managing canine in unsafe and high risk environments

working in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and guidelines

Maintaining control may include:

recalling the canine

canine being responsive to direction controls

canine responding to an emergency stop

canine directing away from canine search specialist on command

Working independently may include:

canine working at a distance from canine search specialist

canine working out of sight of canine search specialist

Distractions may include:

noises such as:

running generators

machinery

rescue tools

other distractions such as:

personnel

smoke

food

Assistance may include:

assisting canine to traverse difficult obstacles

guiding canine

helping canine onto unstable elevated surfaces

intervening to prevent accident or injury to the canine

providing motivation and support where necessary, however during an alert, support and motivation can only be provided after the canine has initiated the bark alert

stopping and restarting the search

taking appropriate breaks, rest and water

Canine actions, indications and characteristics must include:

ability to handle any distractions that may occur

ability to work scent cones

canine does not avoid obstacles

canine identifies live human scent with a bark alert

canine searches independently of canine search specialist

canine traverses all surfaces efficiently

canine covers search site as directed

high levels of search drive/eagerness/willingness to work

Canine actions indications and characteristics may include:

false alert

passive alert behaviours

Correctly indicating location of live human scent with a bark alert must include:

canine remaining at location of victim after indication of scent

canine search specialist notifying assessor of find

Required timeframe is defined as:

twenty minutes to search each search area after the completion of the briefing

Relevant information to be recorded may include:

details of areas searched

details of search and its conclusion

potential victim locations and any influencing factors

unidentified hazards

Sketch of search area must include:

alert locations

compass orientation

prominent features

Recommendations may include:

alternate search strategies (such as technical search, additional canine resources)

improving search processes

potential extrication points for victims

Relevant personnel may include:

member of incident management team

other canine search specialists

USAR canine search team leader

Legislation, policy and guidelines may include:

Australian Standards

Australian Urban Search & Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline

guidance notes

national codes of practice

organisational policies and procedures

state/territory and federal animal welfare legislation

state/territory occupational health, safety and welfare legislation and regulations

Basic care must include:

examining pads, webbing, toes, nails and bones of the foot of the canine

irrigating canine's eyes in an appropriate manner

treating minor injuries and contamination such as cuts, abrasions, foreign bodies, torn nails, fractures, sprains, irritant substances

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
Interviews and site assessment are conducted to establish an appropriate search strategy 
Risks contained in the search area are identified and assessed, and appropriate safety procedures are implemented 
Adjustments are made where appropriate to search strategy in accordance with any changes in environmental conditions, search progress, any other relevant information that becomes available and current rescue work being undertaken 
Work is undertaken with canine in a safe and appropriate manner 
Control of canine is maintained at all times 
Willingness to work independently is demonstrated by canine 
Commands are responded to by canine in the presence of distractions 
Assistance is provided to canine where appropriate 
Canine is deployed off lead and appropriate actions, indications and characteristics to ensure search area is covered effectively are demonstrated by canine 
Location of and commitment to live human scent is demonstrated by canine 
Location of live human scent with a bark alert is correctly indicated by canine during a search on a simulated collapse site 
Actions, indications and characteristics of the canine to correctly identify the presence of live human scent are correctly interpreted 
Location of live human scent is correctly interpreted by canine search specialist 
Search areas are covered within required timeframe 
Relevant information is recorded accurately in accordance with legislative and jurisdictional requirements 
Sketch of search area is provided on completion of search 
Recommendations are provided to relevant personnel on completion of the search 
Appropriate care/safety/welfare for the canine and self is demonstrated in accordance with relevant legislation, policy and guidelines 
Basic care of canine is implemented 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PUASAR021A - Search as part of a canine search team at USAR incidents
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

PUASAR021A - Search as part of a canine search team at USAR incidents

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: