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

PUAEME001B Provide emergency care

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare and respond to rescue

1.1 Operation and task information is obtained

1.2 Appropriate rescue equipment is identified and selected based on incident information as directed by the supervisor

1.3 Personal protective equipment is selected based on the nature of the rescue operation

1.4 Any further details of the nature of the rescue are received en route

1.5 Anticipated hazards and associated risks are discussed with rescue team members whilst on approach

2. Participate in assessing the rescue scene

2.1 Rescue scene reconnaissance is conducted and identified hazards and results are reported to the supervisor

2.2 Communication with other team members is maintained using appropriate techniques and terminology

2.3 Hazards and environmental conditions are minimised or controlled

2.4 Health and safety and security procedures are correctly followed in accordance with organisational policy and relevant legislation

2.5 Personal capabilities and limitations are recognised and referred to the supervisor

2.6 Need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment is reported to the supervisor

3. Perform rescue

3.1 Access to incident and/or casualties is gained using techniques and equipment in accordance with organisational procedures

3.2 Rescue procedures are conducted in accordance with the supervisor's instructions and organisational procedures

3.3 Casualties are prepared for removal

3.4 Casualties are extricated safely using appropriate equipment rescue techniques and procedures

3.5 Incident scene is constantly monitored for hazards to prevent injury to self or others

4. Conclude rescue operations

4.1 Equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained to organisational standards and manufacturers' procedures and restowed to maintain operational readiness

4.2 Where identified, signs and symptoms of operational stress are recognised in self and others and reported to relevant personnel

4.3 Operational debriefing is participated in and documentation is completed to organisational standards

4.4 Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with the organisation's requirements

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

Required Skills

identify signs of structural collapse

personal protective equipment worn in accordance with organisational requirements

use rescue equipment

Required Knowledge

capabilities and limitations of rescue equipment

casualty handling techniques

disaster victim identification procedure

environmental hazards

lines and knots

manual handling techniques

nationally agreed hazard marking systems

personal hygiene

procedures for reporting injuries and accidents

relevant legislative and regulatory requirements

ropes

safety precautions

surface search and surface clearance of casualties

techniques and aids

types of collapse patterns

types of structures

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

Applies safe work practices in rescue operations. Uses equipment in accordance with organisational procedures.

Responds and reacts to instructions in a safe, correct and timely manner

Consistency in performance

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competence may be assessed on-the-job or in a simulated rescue scenarios

Specific resources for assessment

identify signs of structural collapse

personal protective equipment worn in accordance with organisational requirements

use rescue equipment

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.

Rescue operations may include

Participation in: urban search and rescue

confined spaces rescue

road accident rescue

trench rescue

vertical rescue

swift water rescue

industrial rescue

Rescue equipment may include

Rescue vehicle

air bags

cutting tools

hydraulic tools

excavating tools

chain saw

drills

fire extinguisher

hand tools

lighting equipment

ropes

tarpaulin

winch

power tools

pneumatic equipment

Personal protective equipment may include

Helmets

safety gloves

boots

appropriate protective clothing

safety glasses

ear protection

infection protection

reflective vests

respiratory protection

Hazards may include

Electricity

gas

water

hazardous materials

adverse weather

traffic

insufficient light

difficult terrain

convergence

supplementary restraint systems

radioactive

biological

chemical

respiratory

Operational documentation may include

incident reports

legislation

organisation's policies

procedures

Communication techniques may include

verbal

non verbal

signals/signs

written

touch

Environmental conditions may include

effects of weather

stability of rescue site

hazardous materials

access

Appropriately trained personnel to treat casualties may include

first aid officers

ambulance crew

doctors

nurses

paramedics

Hygiene precautions may include

washing hands

wearing appropriate protective clothing

avoidance of contact with body fluids

This unit contains employability skills.