This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to undertake vertical rescues in a range of emergency situations in natural and manmade environments. It includes a range of vertical rescue situations, preparing and responding to rescue situations, assessing rescue scenes, establishing vertical rescue systems and performing in and terminating rescues.

The unit is applicable to personnel from the emergency services, volunteer organisations and associated industries.

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 and respond to vertical rescue

1.1

Operation and task information is received through a briefing, in accordance with organisational procedures

1.2

Vertical rescue equipment is selected based on incident information and is checked to ensure it is ready for use

1.3

Personal protective clothing and equipment for vertical rescue is selected

2

Assess scene

2.1

Scene reconnaissance is conducted, and results are reported to relevant personnel

2.2

Location and condition of casualties is determined

2.3

Vertical rescue scene management procedures are followed, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.4

Physical and environmental features of scene are assessed before deploying rescue resources

2.5

Risk assessment is conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures

2.6

Access is controlled, and a safe and effective operational environment is maintained

2.7

Communication with other personnel on site is established and maintained including team and safety briefings relevant to tasks

3

Establish vertical rescue system

3.1

Vertical rescue system is conducted as appropriate to incident

3.2

Vertical rescue system and anchors are established, checked and monitored

3.3

Equipment is prepared, and appropriate techniques are used, in accordance with organisational procedures

4

Perform vertical rescue

4.1

Hygiene precautions are maintained, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.2

Access is gained to casualties or trapped persons using vertical rescue techniques and equipment, in accordance with organisational procedures

4.3

Casualties or trapped persons are secured and prepared for removal in consultation with medical personnel

4.4

Casualties are removed using vertical rescue techniques and equipment whilst preventing further injury

4.5

Appropriate actions are taken to preserve incident scene, in accordance with organisational procedures

5

Terminate vertical rescue operations

5.1

Equipment is recovered, cleaned and serviced, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

5.2

Hygiene precautions are implemented, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.3

Decontamination procedures are followed, in accordance with organisational procedures

5.4

Operational debriefing is participated in, in accordance organisational procedure

5.5

Operational documentation including post incident report is completed, 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.

Not applicable

Search and Rescue