This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to administer oxygen and ventilate the lungs in an emergency situation in accordance with industry standards and regulatory body guidelines. It includes assessing casualty and developing a management plan, checking, recovering and restoring equipment, maintaining unobstructed airway, resuscitating casualty and using oxygen to provide therapy.

The unit is applicable to public safety personnel who attend incidents where the use of oxygen in either lifesaving or the ongoing management of a casualty is appropriate.

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

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Assess casualty and develop management plan

1.1

Assessment of casualty is undertaken including vital signs, details of incident, medical and/or casualty history, physical appearance and other signs and symptoms

1.2

Management plan is developed taking into account available equipment, condition of patient and specific conditions

1.3

Casualty is assisted to a comfortable position suitable for implementation of management plan, where possible

1.4

Casualty is encouraged and reassured, as required, to aid in the facilitation of effective treatment

1.5

Medical aid is arranged as soon as possible, consistent with maintaining casualty safety

2

Check equipment

2.1

Pre-use check of safety and potential effectiveness of equipment is undertaken, in accordance with operating procedures, industry standards and regulatory requirements

2.2

Minor equipment faults are diagnosed and repairs are carried out, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

2.3

Equipment faults and defects are reported and/or recorded, in accordance with organisational procedures

3

Maintain unobstructed airway

3.1

Airway is cleared and maintained using non-intervention techniques, where possible

3.2

Steps are taken to reduce risk to self or others of contamination from the casualty's body fluids

3.3

Suction apparatus is safely inserted into pharynx and suction initiated using approved techniques to avoid injuring casualty

4

Resuscitate casualtyand use oxygen

4.1

Face masks and other barriers are used, in accordance with organisational procedures and industry standards

4.2

Oxygen therapy is used in the ventilation of casualty

5

Recover and restore equipment

5.1

Equipment is cleaned, discarded or disinfected, restocked and/or replenished and stored safely, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.2

Report is forwarded to appropriate personnel, in accordance with organisational procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Public Safety

Emergency Care