Application
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to provide immediate first aid in the event of accident or illness on board a vessel.
This unit applies to maritime workers working in the maritime industry as a Watchkeeper Deck; as a Master, Chief Mate or Watchkeeper Deck on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage (GT) in any operating area; or as Master or Chief Mate of vessels less than 3000 GT operating in near coastal waters; or as Marine Engineer Class 2 on commercial vessels greater than 3000 kW; or as a Marine Engineer Class 1 on commercial vessels of unlimited propulsion power.
This unit has links to legislative and certification requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Prepare to respond to emergency on board | 1.1 | Casualty condition is assessed and appropriate response is determined in order to minimise hazards and determine the need for emergency medical assistance |
1.2 | Options for transporting casualty or waiting for medical assistance are evaluated in relation to environmental issues, transport availability and casualty condition | ||
1.3 | Casualty is sheltered from elements according to environmental conditions, if required | ||
2 | Provide first aid on board | 2.1 | Nature of casualty injury/condition and relevant first aid procedures are determined and explained to the casualty |
2.2 | Consent is sought from the casualty prior to applying first aid | ||
2.3 | First aid is provided to address casualty condition and according to effective first aid principles | ||
2.4 | Casualty condition is monitored and ongoing first aid is provided as required | ||
2.5 | Casualty is calmly reassured according to effective first aid principles | ||
2.6 | Condition of casualty is documented over time to assist in providing ongoing first aid | ||
3 | Work in conjunction with medical and emergency services support | 3.1 | Communication links are established with medical services using relevant communication equipment to ensure prompt control action is taken |
3.2 | Appropriate medical assistance is sought according to the circumstances | ||
3.3 | Medication is administered under direction from an authorised health worker as required | ||
3.4 | Directions given by emergency services are followed to assist in the evacuation of the casualty, if required | ||
4 | Participate in debriefings | 4.1 | Information is provided on the incident and the first aid assistance provided |
4.2 | Clarifications are provided, where required | ||
4.3 | Suggestions are provided to improve future operations | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:
accurately listening to, clarifying and applying medical instructions
administering medication under direct instruction from an authorised health worker
conducting an initial casualty assessment
demonstrating adequate infection control procedures
evaluating available options for transporting or maintaining condition of casualty
examining casualty or patient
identifying and preparing an area for safe evacuation
improvising treatment and associated resources
minimising the risk of harm to self and others at all times
planning an appropriate first aid response in line with established first aid principles, policies and procedures
preparing incident reports
promptly completing identification of probable cause, nature and extent of injuries according to current first aid practice
using available communication methods and equipment to access medical assistance.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:
body structure and function
burns, scalds and the effects of heat and cold
cardiac arrest, drowning and asphyxia
first aid kit
fractures, dislocations and muscular injuries
medical care of rescued persons
pharmacology
radio medical advice
sterilisation
toxicological hazards on board including use of the Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG) or its national equivalent
work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (NVR)/Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) assessor requirements.
Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Resources for assessment must include access to:
tools, equipment, machinery, materials and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
applicable documentation such as legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operational manuals
range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |
Range Statement
Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Emergency includes one or more of the following: | asphyxia burns and scalds and the effects of heat and cold cardiac arrest drowning fractures, dislocations and muscular injuries medical care of rescued persons |
Options for transporting casualty or waiting for medical assistance include one or more of the following: | advice given by authorised health worker severity of injury time required for medical assistance to arrive whether movement might cause a deterioration in casualty condition whether contact with medical and/or emergency services has been achieved |
Documented includes one or more of the following: | administration of medications including time, date, dose, person administering description of injury first aid management fluid/oral intake/output including fluid loss via blood, vomit, faeces, urine location time vital signs |
Communication equipment includes one or more of the following: | GMDSS equipment VHF radio |
Authorised health worker includes one or more of the following: | general practitioner nurse practitioner paramedic/ambulance officer |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Competency Field
F – Operational Quality and Safety