HLTFA311A

Apply first aid

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Perform surface standby-diver activities for divers using SSBA

1.1. Surface standby-diver activities during operations conform to appropriate emergency/rescue procedures, according to the equipment used

1.2. A state of readiness to ensure prompt action in the event of an emergency is maintained at all times

2. Perform in-water standby-diver activities using SSBA

2.1. In-water standby-diver activities during operation conform to appropriate emergency/rescue procedures, according to the equipment used

2.2. Communication lines are maintained with the surface team to ensure all necessary rescue action is undertaken

3. Employ correct techniques for emergency situations when using SSBA

3.1. Assistance is given in the recovery of an unconscious or injured diver from the surface to dry land or the deck of a dive platform in a manner that prevents further injury

3.2. Ascent in an emergency situation is managed by controlling buoyancy, while identifying an emergency situation where shedding weights may be necessary

Required skills

Required skills include:

applying emergency first aid procedures

applying emergency/rescue procedures according to the situation

dressing appropriately for standby-diver duties and maintaining a state of readiness

free ascending correctly, completing proper drills during ascent and on the surface

giving expired-air resuscitation to a surfaced diver while in the water

maintaining communication with diver's tender and following instructions

recovering a diver in distress to the surface

using a safety line to locate a diver in distress

literacy skills to:

complete 'dive accident medical information' forms

follow an emergency action plan

keep records

read dive tables

read diver's first aid literature

read regulations and industry guidelines

numeracy skills to:

make calculations involving pressure, volume and temperature relationships

use decompression information while underwater

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

effective methods to handle a range of physical emergencies

emergencies that may occur during diving operations in the seafood and ornamental/aquarium industry

free-ascent practices and associated dangers and limitations

need for and limitations of shedding weights in particular emergency situations

procedures related to the use of equipment in relation to identified emergencies

risk of hyperthermia or hypothermia when fully dressed as a standby diver

suit inflation and buoyancy compensator inflation procedures

treatment of medical emergencies

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

apply emergency/rescue procedures to:

conscious diver

unconscious diver

communicate and follow instructions

free ascend correctly and safely

perform standby-diver duties

recover a distressed diver and apply first aid

undertake in-water surface resuscitation

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

hyperthermia and hypothermia

inflation procedures and free-ascent practices

physical emergency procedures

shedding weights in emergency situations

treatment of medical emergencies

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:

diving equipment for SSBA diving operations as listed in the range of variables

suitable diving environment

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

observation of practical demonstration

practical exercises

written or oral short-answer testing

Guidance information for assessment

This unit may be assessed holistically with other diving units.

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:

business or workplace operations, policies and practices

maritime and occupational diving operations, safety at sea

OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control

OHS guidelines may include:

appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits

codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector

enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards

hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures

induction or training of staff in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner

OHS training register

safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace

systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts

the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE

PPE may include.

buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)

personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions

sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)

Operations may include:

cleaning and maintaining display tanks

collecting aquatic animals:

abalone

beche-de-mer

broodstock or seedstock

crayfish, lobsters and crabs

ornamental fish, live, rock, corals and other invertebrate

other molluscs

pearls

sea urchins and sponges

seaweed or aquatic plants

collecting dead stock

collecting environmental water samples

eradicating or releasing predators

from a beach

from a jetty

from a vessel

installing, servicing and maintaining ponds, farm environment, cages and associated equipment

retrieving lost tools and equipment

tending aquaculture animals

Equipment may include:

catch bags

communication systems:

topside and diver

power supply

tape recorders and tapes

tools

breathing apparatus:

demand type (band mask and helmet)

free-flow type

buoyancy compensator

depth-measuring instruments

dive computer

diver's suits or clothing, wet, dry or warmed

diving watch

gauges

main and reserve air supplies

self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA)

safety and emergency:

first aid

oxygen

bail out bottle

spare air

safety harness

shot-line

SSBA

surface-supply compressor unit

surface-supply panel

umbilicals

weights, fins and masks

Emergency may include:

entanglement

entrapment

injury

malfunctioning equipment

medical

predator

Communication may include:

hand signals

lifeline signals

slate

voice

Assistance may include:

disentangle

in-water surface resuscitation

remove cause of entrapment

rescue:

conscious diver

unconscious diver

Ascent may include:

buoyancy compensator

lifeline

shedding weights

stage

underwater propulsion device

with or without air supply

Shedding weights may include:

mid-water

seabed

surface