PMAWHS321
Provide first aid response in remote and/or isolated area


Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required, in a remote and/or isolated area, to provide first aid response, including life support, and to manage casualty(s) until evacuation of the casualty(s) by emergency services.

This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to assess the situation, manage casualty(s), provide first aid until medical or other assistance arrives while factoring in conditions and contingencies that may arise in a remote/isolated area.

This unit of competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the industry.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Identify possible contingencies at remote/isolated area

1.1

Undertake preparation for isolated travel or work accounting for expected contingencies according to procedures/policies

2

Handle casualty's immediate condition

2.1

Assess casualty's condition and determine response in order to minimise hazards and determine need for medical assistance

2.2

Monitor and respond to casualty's condition in accordance with appropriate first aid principles

2.3

Reassure and support casualty during the wait for medical assistance

2.4

Ensure and determine casualty's comfort by establishing and explaining the nature of the illness/injury and the management procedures

2.5

Undertake to provide shelter from elements in accordance with environmental conditions

3

Liaise with external medical support

3.1

Document condition of the casualty over time to assist ongoing management

3.2

Establish communication links to medical services to ensure prompt control action is undertaken

3.3

Undertake administration of medication under medical instruction, using relevant communication equipment

3.4

Evaluate environmental and casualty's condition to determine transportation requirements of casualty to medical assistance

3.5

Provide assistance in the evacuation of casualty by emergency services as required

4

Evaluate the incident

4.1

Evaluate management of the incident and where required develop an action plan in consultation with relevant parties

4.2

Participate in debriefing/evaluation to improve future operations and address individual's needs

4.3

Provide access to bona fide critical stress facilitators where required/requested

4.4

Implement site management/procedures and evaluate in accordance with risk assessment

4.5

Formulate contingency planning and review to identify and select alternative management principles

Evidence of Performance


Evidence of Knowledge


Assessment Conditions


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

This field allows for 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.

Regulatory framework

The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following:

legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS)

industry codes of practice and guidelines

environmental regulations and guidelines

Australian and other standards

licence and certification requirements

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Procedures

All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures.

Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following:

emergency procedures

work instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

safe work method statements (SWMS)

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

Injuries and conditions managed

Injuries and conditions managed include one or more of the following:

abdominal injuries

allergic reactions

bleeding

burns (thermal, chemical, friction and electrical)

cardiac conditions

chemical contamination

cold injuries

crush injuries

dislocations

drowning

envenomation (snake, spider, insect and marine bites)

environmental conditions (hypothermia, dehydration and heat stroke)

epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions

eye injuries

fractures

head injuries

minor skin injuries

neck and spinal injuries

needle stick injuries

poisoning and toxic substances

respiratory management of asthma and/or choking

shock

smoke inhalation

soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, dislocations

substance abuse and illicit drugs

unconsciousness, including not breathing and no pulse

First aid management

First aid management includes the following:

administration of analgesic gases

administration of medications

cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

semi-automatic external defibrillator (SAED)

expired air resuscitation (EAR)

infection control

bleeding control

airway management

delivery of oxygen

care of unconscious

First aid management requires consideration of the following:

location and nature of the workplace

the environmental conditions (e.g. electricity, biological risks, weather and motor vehicle accidents)

location of emergency service personnel

the use and availability of First Aid equipment and resources

infection control

allergies to medications

Medications include one or more of the following:

oxygen

pain relief - paracetamol in accordance with state and territory legislation, analgesics (penthrane, entonox - used in mining industry)

asthma - aerosol bronchodilators: casualty's own or from first aid kit in accordance with state and territory legislation

severe allergic reactions - adrenaline: subject to casualty's own regime

heart attack - aspirin.

First aid management must be documented and include, as appropriate, the following:

time

fluid intake/output

blood

vomit

faeces

urine

administration of medication, including time, date, person administering, dose

vital signs

First aid principles

Established first aid principles include the following:

checking the site for danger to self, casualty and others minimising the danger

checking and maintaining casualty's airway, breathing and circulation

Resources and equipment

Resources and equipment, appropriate to the risk, include one or more of the following:

blood pressure cuff

oxygen resuscitation/cylinders

defibrillation units

pressure bandages

thermometers

injections

backboards

stretchers

soft bag resuscitator

first aid kits

eyewash

thermal blankets

pocket face masks

rubber gloves

dressing

spacer device

cervical collars

Communication systems

Communication systems include one or more of the following:

mobile phones

satellite phones

HF/VHF radio

flags

flares

two-way radio

email

electronic equipment

other communication methods/equipment defined in organisation procedures

Hazards and risks

Hazards and risks must be identified and controlled.

Hazards include one or more of the following:

unavailable first aid equipment (oxygen cylinders, defibrillator)

bodily fluids

other hazards associated with casualty management process

heat, smoke, darkness, dust or other atmospheric hazards

electricity

gas

gases and liquids under pressure

structural hazards

structural collapse

equipment failures

industrial (machinery, equipment and product)

equipment or product mass

noise, rotational equipment or vibration

plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water)

limited head spaces or overhangs

working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours

flammability and explosivity

hazardous products and materials

unauthorised/other personnel or bystanders

sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions

slippery surfaces, spills or leaks

extreme weather

other hazards that might arise

Identifying risks requires consideration of specific hazards, including the following:

what level of harm can occur

how harm can occur (various chains of events that could result in harm from the hazard)

the likelihood that harm will occur

Travel considerations

Travel considerations include the following:

severity of injury

time required for medical assistance to arrive

Note: movement might hinder rescue procedures.

Preparation for travel includes the following:

selection of relevant communication equipment

relevant first aid supplies and resources to cater for environmental conditions


Sectors


Competency Field

Work health and safety