This unit requires application of skills and knowledge relating to the maintenance and packing of survival inflatable buoyancy vests. Maintenance involves inspection, testing, fault diagnosis, replacement of parts and cleaning.

The unit applies to a range of types of survival inflatable buoyancy vests.

MEA101B

Interpret occupational health and safety practices in aviation maintenance

MEA103B

Plan and organise aviation maintenance work activity

MEA105C

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

1. Maintain survival inflatable buoyancy vests

1.1. Survival inflatable buoyancy vests and associated ancillary equipment are inspected for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures

1.2. Identified faults beyond own authority to rectify are reported to supervisor and faulty survival inflatable buoyancy vest and/or ancillary equipment is quarantined

1.3. Unserviceable parts of the survival inflatable buoyancy vest and/or ancillary equipment are replaced in accordance with standard procedures

1.4. Survival inflatable buoyancy vest is tested for serviceability in accordance with standard procedures and manufacturer's specifications

1.5. Survival inflatable buoyancy vest is cleaned in accordance with standard procedures

1.6. Survival inflatable buoyancy vest is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard procedures

1.7. Maintenance documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

2. Pack survival inflatable buoyancy vests

2.1. Survival inflatable buoyancy vest is packed for use in accordance with standard procedures

2.2. Ancillary equipment is packed for use in accordance with standard procedures

2.3. Survival inflatable buoyancy vest is presented for inspection by supervisor in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

2.4. Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

3. Fit survival inflatable buoyancy vests

3.1. Fitting process is explained to the participant so that optimal fit can be achieved through relevant feedback

3.2. Participant is measured to select appropriate size survival inflatable buoyancy vest

3.3. Survival inflatable buoyancy vest is adjusted to optimise fit

3.4. Survival inflatable buoyancy vest fit is verified through participant feedback and supervisor approval

3.5. Relevant documentation is completed and processed in accordance with standard enterprise procedures

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

applying OHS practices relating to survival inflatable life raft, ancillary equipment and escape slide maintenance processes, including the selection and correct use of PPE, where applicable

using MSDS

using maintenance publications, drawings and documentation relating to survival inflatable buoyancy vests and ancillary equipment maintenance

handling, storing and organising transport of equipment

delivering briefings to personnel in relation to operating, donning/doffing and fitting of survival inflatable buoyancy vests

inflating/deflating survival inflatable devices for maintenance

using applicable testing and measuring equipment, tools and maintenance documentation to:

test survival inflatable devices for serviceability

replace unserviceable components or items of ancillary equipment in accordance with approved procedures

select and use appropriate survival inflatable device cleaning materials

solder battery terminals on emergency locator transmitters

tying various types of knots, including:

reef knot

bowline

thumb knot

half hitch

hand sewing

cleaning and maintaining equipment and tools

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

relevant regulations, standards, enterprise procedures and maintenance publications

OHS procedures relating to survival inflatable buoyancy vest maintenance, including the selection and use of PPE

how to obtain MSDS

relevant safety precautions including storage and handling of compressed gas cylinders and survival and distress pyrotechnics

critical nature of maintaining and packing survival inflation devices, i.e. risk of death

search and rescue procedures

priorities of survival and how they relate to survival inflatable buoyancy vests and associated ancillary equipment

electrical principles

approved cleaning methods for aviation life support equipment

environmental conditions that may affect survival inflation devices including ultraviolet degradation

types of corrosion and contamination that may affect survival inflation devices

handling, storage and transit procedures relating to survival inflation devices

survival inflation devices and methods of operation

operation of emergency locator beacons and emergency locator transmitters

principles of operation of inflation mechanisms

components of a survival inflation device and their function

repair limitations for survival inflatable buoyancy vests

modification requirements for survival inflatable buoyancy vests

requirements for a survival inflation device servicing facility

packing tools and measuring equipment required to pack survival inflatable devices

use of survival inflatable buoyancy vests, including associated ancillary equipment

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, pack and fit survival inflatable buoyancy vests while 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 survival inflatable device testing and inspection procedures, cleanliness requirements and safety precautions are fully observed, understood and complied with. Ability to interpret maintenance, packing and fitting procedures and apply them in practice is critical.

Evidence of transferability of skills and knowledge related to survival inflatable buoyancy vest maintenance and packing is essential. This is to be demonstrated through demonstration of the ability to recognise faults and replace components that are within the bounds of the individual's authority, and through the demonstration of correct packing and 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 the following range of tasks:

completing a minimum of three (3) inflation tests without the need for corrective action by the supervisor

recognising the limits of own authority

testing cylinder weight and determining if it is within tolerance

correctly packing a minimum of three (3) survival inflatable buoyancy vests without the need for corrective action by the supervisor

correctly fitting survival inflatable buoyancy vests to a minimum of three different people without supervisor intervention

recognising a range of faults and their serviceability limits (faults must include incorrect manufacture and verifying expiry date of inflatable buoyancy vest and ancillary equipment.

This shall be established via the records in the Log of Industrial Experience and Achievement or, where appropriate, an equivalent Industry Evidence Guide.

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

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.

Applicable survival inflatable buoyancy vests

Survival inflatable buoyancy vests may include:

Secumar AUS2

Ancillary equipment

Ancillary equipment may include:

electronic locating devices

lighting devices

pyrotechnics

rations

survival/location aids

water

Standard procedures

Standard procedures may be found in any or all of:

state/territory/Commonwealth OHS 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

CASR and advisory material

standing instructions

Faults

Faults may include:

abrasion

broken stitching

contamination

corrosion of metal parts

damaged hardware

delamination/porosity

expired components or equipment

faulty valves

frayed lines

holes

incorrect manufacture

lifting tapes

ultraviolet degradation

Parts

Parts may include:

buoyancy chambers

cylinders

hardware

operating head

valves

valise

zippers

Testing

Testing may include:

checking ancillary equipment (e.g. electronic locating devices and survival/location aids)

cylinder weight tolerance

inflation tests

light and battery test

Adjustment

Adjustment to vest may include:

breast height

chest

waist

Application of this unit may relate to:

scheduled or unscheduled maintenance activities

individual or team-related activities

MEA118A

Conduct self in the aviation maintenance environment

This unit contains employability skills.