Application
This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to acclimatise canines to work within an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) environment, develop a canine's ability to detect live human scent and to indicate live human scent with alert behaviours. It also includes managing training assistants in a simulated USAR environment for the purposes of training canines. The unit is applicable to canine search specialists responsible for developing a search canine to be part of a USAR canine search team. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA | ||
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Work in a USAR environment | 1.1 | Risk assessment of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) environment is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures |
1.2 | Personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the USAR environment is selected and worn | ||
1.3 | Principles and organisational procedures for working safely in a USAR environment are implemented | ||
2 | Introduce canines to a USAR environment | 2.1 | An incremental approach is followed to introduce canines to a USAR environment |
2.2 | Problems that may develop with canines being introduced to a USAR environment are identified and solved within area of responsibility | ||
2.3 | Problems outside area of responsibility are referred to appropriate personnel for action and recommendations are made, as required | ||
3 | Prepare canines for detection of live human scent | 3.1 | Scent factors that limit the capability of canines to function efficiently are identified |
3.2 | Canine behaviour and responses are interpreted, and appropriate action is taken, in accordance with organisational procedures | ||
3.3 | Regular interaction with canine is undertaken to maintain an enthusiastic, effective and appropriate level of work and behaviour at search locations | ||
3.4 | Canine is deployed to detect live human scent in a range of areas and situations | ||
4 | Develop alert behaviour in canines | 4.1 | Training tools and techniques are used to shape the desired bark alert behaviour in canine |
4.2 | Problems encountered in bark alert training are diagnosed and solved, in accordance with organisational procedures | ||
5 | Train canine using appropriate methods | 5.1 | Humane ways of training are used that reflect positive reinforcement techniques |
5.2 | Canine psychology and drives are recognised and applied when training canine | ||
5.3 | Appropriate degree of correction is used to discourage unwanted canine behaviour | ||
5.4 | Canine involved in training is handled and controlled in a way that maintains performance and safety | ||
6 | Manage training assistants | 6.1 | Training assistant is selected for the training exercise to be performed in a simulated USAR environment |
6.2 | Training assistant is briefed on the expected outcomes of the exercise | ||
6.3 | Job safety analysis is provided to training assistant prior to commencement of training exercise | ||
6.4 | Safety and welfare of training assistant is maintained throughout the training exercise | ||
6.5 | Problems encountered with the training assistant are diagnosed and resolved, or referred to relevant personnel, in accordance with organisational procedures |
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |
Range Statement
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. |
Sectors
Not applicable |
Competency Field
Search and Rescue |