Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare and use waders in freshwater or marine work environments. It includes the ability to minimise risk and use safe practices and personal survival skills in situations of flooded waders, lost footing, sudden immersion and other aquatic emergencies that may be complicated by the wearing of waders.
The unit applies to individuals who have the ability to swim and use waders in the aquaculture and fishing operations sectors of the seafood industry.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, according to state/territory health and safety, biosecurity and environmental regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.
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. Prepare for safe use of waders | 1.1 Confirm environmental conditions, including water temperature and potential hazards that influence the selection of waders 1.2 Select waders based on type of work, water temperature and environmental risks and hazards 1.3 Check condition and fit of waders and adjust to ensure correct fit 1.4 Dress in clothing appropriate for water temperature and environmental conditions, and fit safety equipment correctly |
2. Use safe wading techniques | 2.1 Select entry technique and account for potential environmental hazards 2.2 Use wading techniques appropriate for water and environmental conditions 2.3 Seek assistance from others present as required |
3. Apply simple survival skills on sudden immersion and loss of footing | 3.1 Adopt wader safety tuck position when footing is lost and on sudden entry to water 3.2 Apply survival techniques appropriate to water conditions 3.3 Use techniques that extend survival time in deep water 3.4 Swim to exit point using survival strokes 3.5 Exit from the water independently with and without waders |
4. Carry out a simple water rescue | 4.1 Identify person in need of assistance based on visual characteristics and environmental signs 4.2 Assess the situation and develop rescue plan according to best practice principles of water safety 4.3 Assemble safety and rescue equipment to assist person in difficulty 4.4 Apply simple search techniques in shallow water 4.5 Perform a simple rescue and assist the person to exit the water 4.6 Provide basic care and immersion assistance to rescued person and seek additional help as required |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Reading | Interprets safety instructions Interprets warning signs and labels Checks information on weather and water conditions |
Numeracy | Estimates water depth and rate of flow of water in assessing safety risks Estimates water temperature and calculates in-water immersion times |
Oral communication | Asks questions and gives instructions to person in need of assistance |
Interact with others | Collaborates and cooperates with others in rescue practices |
Sectors
Aquaculture (AQU)