This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond to life-threatening emergencies in line with the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) Guidelines.

This unit applies to all workers who may be required to provide an emergency response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.

Specific licensing /regulatory requirements relating to this competency, including requirements for refresher training should be obtained from the relevant national/state/territory Work Health and Safety Regulatory Authorities.

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role.

There must be evidence that the candidate has completed the following tasks in line with state/territory regulations, first aid codes of practice, Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines and workplace procedures:

Followed DRSABCD in line with ARC guidelines, including:

performed at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted single rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (5 cycles of both compressions and ventilations) on an adult resuscitation manikin placed on the floor

performed at least 2 minutes of uninterrupted single rescuer CPR (5 cycles both compressions and ventilations) on an infant resuscitation manikin placed on a firm surface

responded appropriately in the event of regurgitation or vomiting

managed the unconscious breathing casualty

followed single rescue procedure, including the demonstration of a rotation of operators with minimal interruptions to compressions

followed the prompts of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Responded to at least one simulated first aid scenario contextualised to the candidate’s workplace/community setting, including:

demonstrated safe manual handling techniques

provided an accurate verbal or written report of the incident

Applied first aid procedures for the following:

allergic reaction

anaphylaxis

bleeding control

choking and airway obstruction

respiratory distress, including asthma

shock

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

State/Territory regulations, first aid codes of practice and workplace procedures including:

ARC Guidelines relevant to provision of CPR and first aid

safe work practices to minimise risks and potential hazards

Infection control principles and procedures, including use of standard precautions

requirements for currency of skill and knowledge

legal, workplace and community considerations, including:

awareness of potential need for stress-management techniques and available support following an emergency situation

duty of care requirements

respectful behaviour towards a casualty

own skills and limitations

consent

privacy and confidentiality requirements

importance of debriefing

considerations when providing basic emergency life support, including:

airway obstruction due to body position

appropriate duration and cessation of CPR

appropriate use of an AED

chain of survival

standard precautions

principles and procedures for first aid management of the following scenarios:

allergic reaction

anaphylaxis

bleeding control

cardiac conditions, including chest pain

chocking and airway obstruction

respiratory distress, including asthma

shock

stroke

basic anatomy and physiology relating to:

considerations in provision of first aid for specified conditions

chest

how to recognise a person is not breathing normally

response/consciousness

upper airway and effect of positional change

Skills must be demonstrated working individually in an environment that provides realistic in-depth, industry-validated scenarios and simulations to assess candidates’ skills and knowledge.

Assessment resources must include:

adult and infant resuscitation manikins in line with ARC Guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures

adrenaline auto-injector training device

AED training device

placebo bronchodilator and spacer device

roller bandages

triangular bandage

workplace First Aid kit

workplace injury, trauma and/or illness record, or other appropriate workplace incident report form

wound dressing

Simulated assessment environments must simulate the real-life working environment where these skills and knowledge would be performed, with all the relevant equipment and resources of that working environment.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

In addition hold current first aid certificate HLTAID003 or higher.