ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare powercraft for operations

1.1 Relevant logbooks are reviewed for previous operational feedback and pre-use information is completed as directed by operator in accordance with organisational requirements.

1.2 Pre-launch checks to ensure operational readiness of craft and safety features are conducted at the direction of the operator in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines.

1.3 Prelaunch operational checks of auxiliary equipment are completed and equipment is stowed.

1.4 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is obtained, applied or stowed as required.

2. Assist operator to transport powercraft

2.1 Safe manual handling techniques are used to assist operator to transport powercraft to launch site.

2.2 Operator is assisted to unload and position powercraft at water's edge.

2.3 PPE is secured, checked and stored correctly in powercraft.

3. Launch and stabilise powercraft through surf aquatic environment

3.1 Own level of competence is conveyed to operator in relation to surf/aquatic environment conditions.

3.2 Powercraft is lifted and dragged into water as directed by operator.

3.3 Powercraft is secured and positioned as required for surf/aquatic environment conditions.

3.4 Powercraft is boarded safely on operator command and a secure position is assumed.

3.5 Position in powercraft is changed at operator's direction to assist with maintaining trim and negotiating surf/aquatic environment conditions.

3.6 Lookout for hazards in surf/aquatic environment is maintained and information concerning objects in the water is communicated to operator.

3.7 Assistance with beaching and stabilising craft is provided on return to shore as directed by operator.

4. Participate in emergency drills

4.1 Emergency procedures are implemented safely as directed by operator.

4.2 Assistance is provided with safe manoeuvring of powercraft without operational motor.

5. Participate in rescue

5.1 Casualty/object is retrieved using appropriate retrieval techniques as directed by operator.

5.2 Basic patient care of casualty is performed as required.

5.3 Casualty/object is secured for return to shore.

5.4 Casualty lift/object is removed from powercraft as directed by operator.

6. Assist with powercraft recovery and restore

6.1 Safe manual handling techniques are used to assist operator with transport of craft to storage.

6.2 Powercraft is cleaned and stored in line with organisational procedures and as directed by operator.

6.3 Ancillary equipment is cleaned and restowed in accordance with organisational requirements and as directed by operator.

6.4 Operational documentation is completed as specified.

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

Required Skills

communicate effectively in the workplace

complete required documentation

constantly monitor hazards and apply safety principles

crew boat confidently and safely

rescue people and recover objects from the water

safely handle casualty

secure small boats using knots and lashings

swim in the surf/aquatic environment in moderate conditions

use recognised signals

use rescue tubes

Required Knowledge

effects of wind, tide, swell and ocean floor on surf/aquatic environment conditions

features and signs of rips, gutters, sweeps and currents

local hazards and environmental threats

local operating procedures and organisational standards

organisational craft operating procedures

organisational procedures for cleaning and discarding equipment in terms of environmental management and sustainability

self-rescue techniques

surf/aquatic environment awareness including beach safety zones

surf/aquatic environment hazards

surf/aquatic environment survival techniques

types of waves and their characteristic features

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

perform a rescue

safely load and manoeuvre a vessel

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over one or more exercises, scenarios or incidents to develop confident boat crewing.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed by completing rescue boat operations, exercises or scenarios.

Exercises, simulations, or a series of tasks is required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed by a rescue boat crew.

Evidence may be supplemented by questioning during and after an exercise, scenario or incident, hypothetical questioning and written or oral descriptions, or discussions or feedback during a debriefing.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

equipment used in rescue boat operations

open water

range of challenging surf/aquatic environment conditions relevant to the area of operations

Method of assessment

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

direct observation

interviewing the candidate

journals and workplace documentation

third party reports from supervisors

written or oral questions

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.

Relevant logbooks may include:

Equipment service logs

Patrol/service logs

Powercraft operations logs

Operational feedback may include:

Equipment damage

New or variations to hazards in the local environment

Operational readiness of equipment

Pre-launch checks may include:

Checking handles and footstraps are secure

Checking pressure of inflatable pontoons

Ensuring no sharp areas

Ensuring no wear

Auxiliary equipment may include:

Knife

Paddles

Rescue tube

Tow rope

Whistle

Transport may include:

Carrying craft

Moving on a beach trolley

Towing with an ATV or 4WD

Surf/aquatic environment conditions may include:

Calm water

Choppy

Large surf/aquatic environment

Plunging shorebreak

Small surf/aquatic environment

Secure position includes:

Grasping appropriate handles and placing feet in footstraps as required

Position in powercraft may include:

Crouching, standing when negotiating green or broken waves

Laying on bow to avoid capsize

Leaning in or out of craft to assist with turning

Sliding back in craft when negotiating waves on return to shore

Standard sitting position

Hazards may include:

Adverse weather

Choppy water surface condition

Large surf/aquatic environment

Marine creature

People swimming

Rocks

Seaweed

Emergency procedures may include:

Abandoning powercraft drill

Acting as an outrigger in the event of motor failure in the surf/aquatic environment zone

Fire on board powercraft drill

Powercraft capsize drill

Manoeuvring of powercraft without operational motor may include:

Holding onto ropes while in the water to stabilise the craft and to avoid capsize

Surfing the powercraft to shore with operator and crew acting as outriggers

Swimming and repositioning the craft

Using paddles

Retrieval techniques may include:

Leaving the powercraft for a swimming rescue with a rescue tube

Reaching over the edge of the craft to haul casualty/object on board

Basic patient care may include:

Maintaining open airway

Reassuring the patient

Supporting the patient on return to shore