ACMGAS305A
Rescue animals and apply basic first aid

This unit of competency covers the process of rescuing and restraining animals and providing basic first aid.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application

The unit is applicable to animal keepers and carers where it may be necessary to identify where assistance is required in the rescue of animals and the management of animal stress and injuries.

In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all units of competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Assess the situation and plan response

1.1. Risk posed to self, others and animals is assessed.

1.2. Options for assisting animals are evaluated and procedures selected with reference to workplace protocols and regulations.

1.3. Animals are identified and appropriate equipment is selected for the rescue.

1.4. Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and personal protective equipment are used at all times when handling animals.

2. Capture and protect animal

2.1. Basic animal care is provided to minimise stress to animals.

2.2. Animal is caught and handled safely and humanely to minimise pain and potential injuries.

2.3. Animal is reassured in a caring manner and made comfortable using available resources.

2.4. Physical condition and vital signs of the animal are assessed.

3. Provide first aid assistance

3.1. Basic first aid is provided in accordance with established animal first aid procedures.

3.2. Treatment is sought from others as appropriate and required.

3.3. Advice and assistance are sought from supervisor or appropriate personnel in respect to future options for animal.

3.4. Information on animal is collected and recorded in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements.

Required Skills

Required skills

complete relevant work-related documentation and reports

employ safe and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when handling animals

evaluate behaviour, signs, symptoms and objective measures that may indicate animal health is at risk

follow workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control

gather and provide information in response to workplace requirements

maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection

observe, document and report findings on animal health and behaviour using workplace protocols and procedures

respond to emergencies in line with practised actions

literacy skills to read and follow organisational policies and procedures, including OHS

numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

oral communication skills/language to fulfill the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities

problem-solving skills to use available resources, prioritise rescue tasks and determine who to contact for assistance

use personal protective clothing and equipment correctly

use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment.

Required knowledge

anatomical orientation terminology

animal emergency network, including animal welfare bodies and support facilities

animal first aid techniques

animal temperaments and behaviours related to the associated hazards and risks to animals and staff during animal capture, restraint, inspection and treatment

communication procedures and systems, and technology relevant to the organisation and the individual's work responsibilities

examination techniques for health status

first aid casualty management principles

hazards associated with handling animals and control measures

methods used to identify animals

methods used to capture, restrain and examine animals including equipment

natural animal behaviour relating to the characteristics of the species, age, health status and social needs

organisation policies and procedures, including OHS and emergency procedures

personal protective clothing and equipment and when and how it should be used

physical conditions and vital signs of animals

principles of animal welfare and ethics

physiological features of animals

relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science, OHS, animal welfare and waste disposal

safe animal handling techniques and procedures

safe work practices

workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials

zoonotic diseases.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

plan rescue response through situation assessment

communicate effectively with others and follow instructions

carry out rescue procedures and protect animal in accordance with OHS requirements

apply basic animal care and first aid

seek advice and assistance regarding animal care and future options

gather information on animal and maintain records.

The skills and knowledge required to rescue animals and apply basic first aid must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal care workplace or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.

There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.Assessment must be relevant to the industry sector in which candidates are working andmust cover a minimum of one species from at least two of the six major animal groups OR at least three breeds from within one of the six major animal groups (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates.

Method of assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks

simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions

third-party evidence

workplace documentation

portfolio.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).


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.

Risk posed to self, others and animals may include:

to self and others from animals:

attack by other animals

bites, kicks and scratches

envenomation

crush injuries

zoonoses and infective agent release

to self and others from humans:

injury caused by inexperienced handling capture techniques or by not following protocols

unsuccessful rescue due to:

inexperienced assistants using poor techniques

using inadequate or unsuitable equipment

not following agreed protocols

poor communication of procedures to be followed

environmental hazards to self, others and animals:

contaminated sites

chemical a spillage

electrocution

fire and smoke

flood

potential cave-ins

rocky or unstable terrain

traffic

weather and climatic conditions

to animals:

inability to assess extent of injury and needs due to inaccessible or remote location

inability to rescue due to lack of suitable equipment or poor site access

injury as a result of capture methods used

injury as a result of inexperienced handlers or volunteers

injury or death due to the trauma of rescue or capture.

Options for assisting animals may include:

animal needs:

food, water and shelter

reassurance

restraint to prevent further trauma or injury

assistance required from others:

emergency services agencies

machinery operator

rescuers with specific animal handling skills

utilities operators to control power, gas, water and other services

volunteers with little or no experience to assist

veterinarian or other animal specialist authorised to act in emergencies

methods and equipment needed to:

assess animal condition and possible injuries

catch animal

rescue animal.

Animals may include:

animals commonly encountered within the industry workplace and may cover both native and introduced species

animals from the six major animal groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates).

Equipment may include:

catching equipment relevant to species to be rescued:

barriers, screens and yards

catch poles and nets

food and enticement toys

halters and collars

nets, bags and hoods

slings and cradles

transport equipment

rescue equipment:

concrete and masonry cutting equipment

cranes and winches

digging equipment and machinery

animal needs:

food, water and shelter

reassurance

first aid equipment:

shock treatment

temperature regulation items (e.g. blankets and water)

wound and injury care items.

OHS procedures and personal protective equipment may include:

OHS procedures:

establishing a clear chain of command

ensuring site safety for personnel and animals is assessed and appropriate precautions are taken prior to commencing rescue

ensuring equipment is in working order and safe to use in particular circumstances

identifying possible escape routes of animals and minimising opportunities of escape during rescue

ensuring first aid equipment for personnel and animals is available

following workplace protocols for advising of planned routes or locations if working away from regular worksite

ensuring staff with experience using rescue equipment are utilised if available

taking adequate fluids and w

personal protective equipment:

communication equipment

infection control equipment

protective clothing:

boots, gloves, goggles and helmet

sun and wet weather protection from head and cold

protection from animal scratches and bites

protection from terrain, chemical spills or other hazards

safety lines and harness.

Basic animal care may include:

suitable containment and transport

provision of warmth

not feeding if advised

providing a quiet environment or darkness when appropriate.

Safely and humanely handling animals may include:

appropriate use of restraints

correct use of personal protective equipment and rescue equipment

observing stress to the animal

allocating sufficient time to the process

considering animals' welfare at all times

Established animal first aid procedures may include:

stop bleeding

minimise impact of shock by keeping animal quiet, warm and away from activity or noise

immobilise limb injuries if soft tissue damage or fractures are suspected if possible

hose or apply water if available in cases of burns or heat exhaustion

administration of emetics or antidotes under instruction if appropriate

feeding or watering as advised

transporting animal to veterinary assistance as soon as possible.

Advice and assistance may include:

veterinary consultation:

immediate fist aid care and treatment

surgical or medication needs

potential of animal to recover from emergency situation

animal quality of life evaluation post-emergency recovery

diet options

rehabilitation and therapy options:

carers or volunteers looking after animals

devising structured rehabilitation and release programs for wildlife

returning domestic pets to owners

giving animals to a captive animal facility

insurance considerations:

if animal was insured what are instructions from underwriter regarding care, treatment option and future use

if animal rescue has impact on business insurance what are instructions from underwriter.

Information on animal may include:

identification of animal

extent of injuries

treatment provided

equipment used

witness details and version of events

owner contact details if owner identified

reasons for animal emergency in the first place

procedure followed during rescue

issues arising from rescue that could lead to improved success in future operations.


Sectors

Unit sector

Animal studies


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.