This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain a Personal Water Craft (PWC) and to use PWCs during aquatic rescue operations in surf or open water environments. It includes a range of open water rescue situations using PWCs.

Operators of PWCs will need to fulfil state or territory maritime licensing requirements to operate a PWC.

The unit is applicable to personnel from the emergency services, volunteer organisations and/or organisations where surveillance and rescue operations in open water are undertaken.

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

Prepare for operations

1.1

Logbooks are reviewed for operational feedback and pre-use information is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

1.2

Pre-operational checks of Personal Water Craft (PWC) are completed, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

1.3

Ancillary equipment is checked and securely stowed, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.4

Personal protective clothing and equipment is applied or stowed, as appropriate

1.5

PWC is transported to launching site and is launched, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

2

Receive task information

2.1

Task information received verbally or through communications system is acknowledged

2.2

Personal capability to perform task, based on surf conditions, is evaluated prior to accepting task and this information is communicated to the supervisor, in accordance with organisational procedures

3

Manoeuvre PWC according tosurf conditions

3.1

PWC is operated safely, in accordance with surf conditions and within the personal skills and limitations of operator

3.2

Local regulations and legislation relevant to the operation of PWC are identified and followed

3.3

Communication with operational base is maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.4

Personal protective clothing and equipment is worn, as required

3.5

Emergency procedures are implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

4

Assess rescue scene

4.1

Risk analysis of rescue scene is undertaken and hazards are identified

4.2

Rescue method suitable to the situation is selected, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.3

Safe passage to and out of the rescue scene is assessed for suitability

5

Perform rescue

5.1

Safe passage to and out of the rescue scene is navigated, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.2

PWC is positioned safely at rescue scene

5.3

Casualty is retrieved safely and is secured, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.4

Progress is communicated to operational base, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.5

Casualty is handed over at designated point, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.6

Casualty transfer is completed, in accordance with organisational procedures

6

Complete rescue operations and recovery requirements

6.1

PWC is recovered from launch site and is transported to storage

6.2

Post operational checks and maintenance are completed, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' instructions

6.3

Debriefing with supervisor or other operational staff is completed

6.4

Logbooks are completed, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

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.

Not applicable

Search and Rescue