The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Locate and extract water

1.1 Water is discovered through recognising and investigating the indicators of and likely locations of water

1.2 Water is acquired using collection methods during periods of rain and high atmospheric water content

1.3 Water is extracted from the ground through evaporation

1.4 Water is extracted from vegetation using transpiration

2. Prepare water for consumption

2.1 Water is filtered using improvised filtration methods to clarify content and remove debris and large contaminants

2.2 Unpotable water is made potable using improvised desalinator system

2.3 Water is confirmed as potable through testing procedures

3. Manage water resources

3.1 Water is stored using improvised storage receptacles

3.2 Water loss reduction management techniques are implemented to minimise loss of water

3.3 Water is rationed strictly in accordance with minimum daily requirements as per the survival situation

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

assemble basic improvised equipment

extreme care in handling critical survival items (e.g. transpirator bags)

Required Knowledge

desalinator construction:

drum

condensing tube

collecting device

connections of the following to each other

cooling options for the condensing device

desalinator non-compliant liquids (e.g. radiator fluid)

fire safety

transpirator non-compliant vegetation (e.g. leadwood)

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to extract water through:

evaporation - a minimum of 20millilitres of water in 24hours through the use of a desert still

transpiration - a minimum of 200millilitres of water in solar day using a plastic (transpirator) bag (0.6m x 0.4m)

desalination - a minimum of five litres of potable water in 24hours using the following:

a 10litre metal drum

plastic (transpirator) bag (0.6m x 0.4m)

pipe section (10-20cm) (e.g. empty drinking can/bottle, clean radiator hose, hollowed tree limb)

The desalinator is to provide the only source of water for a minimum of two days unless safety/health reasons require additional supplementation.

Consistency in performance

Competency must be demonstrated once in the evaporation and transpiration of water.

Competency must be demonstrated in the desalination and management of water, and minimisation of water loss, over a minimum of two days.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency must be assessed in a simulated workplace environment.

While a person can demonstrate the technical ability to locate and treat water, the aspect of longer-term survival i.e. management of water (including care of the desalinator), is crucial; consequently it is strongly recommended that holistic assessment be conducted with other associated survival units.

Assessment under simulated survival conditions should include:

food restrictions (food should be restricted to half the recommended daily caloric intake)

the absence of normal living conditions and amenities such as showers, beds and bedding (warmth to be provided by fire), kitchens etc. with the attendant levels of personal discomfort and fatigue

a significant period of time - the recommendation is four days.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to a suitable assessment area and improvised desalinator kits.

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Indicators of water may include

Animal indicators:

animal pads

birds

insects

Geographic indicators:

creek lines

lay of land

Vegetable indicators:

stands of melaleuca

reeds and comparatively lusher areas

Likely locations of water may include

Between 1-2 sand dune (adjacent to coast)

Between the stems of some plants

Deep areas and outside corners of a river bed

Inside cracks in rocks and stone formations

Unusually rich/lush vegetation in area

Water collection methods may include

Digging a pit to the water table

Laying out plastic sheeting to catch moisture/rain

Lowering an improvised sponge into a crack

Soaking dew off damp grass using clothing

Evaporation may include

Using a desert still

Filtration methods may include

Charcoal filtration

Doubled trouser legs, sleeves or socks

Sand filtration

Unpotable water may include

Sea/estuarine water

Stagnant/fouled water (e.g. dead animal, faeces)

Urine

Improvised desalinator system includes

Boiler (e.g. drum)

Collector (e.g. bag)

Condenser (e.g. tube/pipe)

Testing procedures may include

Smell

Effect on sensitive skin (e.g. lips)

Effect upon 'rolling' in mouth

Effect upon consumption of a sip

Effect upon consumption of a draught

Improvised storage receptacles may include

Condom

Plastic bag

Plastic sheet and hole in ground

Water loss reduction management techniques may include

Keeping cool enough whether resting or working to avoid perspiration

Loosening clothing and enabling air flow but avoiding sunburn

Minimal talking

Minimising physical effort during heat of the day and maximising physical effort during cool of night

No smoking

Optimising cooling effect of shelter (e.g. through opening to breezes)

Rule of thumb: no eating if there is no water

Slow and deliberate nasal breathing

This unit contains employability skills.