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 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