Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify, evaluate and respond to aquatic emergencies using established rescue procedures.
The unit applies to lifeguards (and others when a lifeguard is not available) who perform advanced water rescues in a range of situations, including swimming pools. Work is performed according to accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues, first aid, relevant legislation and organisational policies.
Specific licensing requirements relating to this competency, including requirements for refresher training, should be obtained from the relevant state/territory work health and safety regulatory authority.
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. Identify and evaluate major aquatic emergencies. | 1.1 Recognise factors which contribute to aquatic emergencies. 1.2 Recognise signs and signals of aquatic emergency and communicate initial assessment to appropriate personnel. 1.3 Identify appropriate emergency response for the situation and people involved. 1.4 Promote compliance with safety rules of aquatic facility to clients. |
2. Respond to aquatic emergency. | 2.1 Activate emergency systems and implement strategies for group control. 2.2 Assess factors impacting on the advanced water rescue and formulate a rescue plan. 2.3 Determine appropriate involvement of others, type of rescue required and rescue equipment needed. 2.4 Identify hazards and take appropriate action to prevent further injury to the casualty, self or others. 2.5 Perform an advanced water rescue using established techniques and procedures and safe manual handling techniques. |
3. Assess the casualty. | 3.1 Observe and assess condition of the casualty. 3.2 Assess vital signs and symptoms of shock and provide appropriate treatment. |
4. Organise further emergency care as required. | 4.1 Contact emergency services and provide accurate information to obtain required assistance. 4.2 Monitor casualty or arrange further treatment until emergency response team assumes responsibility. |
5. Record and report the incident. | 5.1 Complete required documentation in agreed format. 5.2 Notify other personnel and statutory authorities of incident as required. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
identify and respond to all of the following signs and signals of aquatic emergencies according to organisational and legislative requirements:
call for help
vertical body position
diagonal body position
minimal or non-supportive leg action
vigorous arm movements
submerged or unconscious person
use the following equipment and techniques during rescue situations:
spinal immobilisation equipment
oxygen supplemented resuscitation
oxygen therapy
safe manual handling techniques
demonstrate correct swimming strokes, personal survival and rescue skills:
personal survival and defensive techniques on approach to a casualty
contact tow of both a conscious and unconscious casualty
non-contact tow of a conscious casualty
successfully complete fitness and strength tests:
swim 200 metres in less than 6 minutes without using equipment
retrieve an object from the deepest water within the aquatic environment no greater than 3 metres in depth. If depth is greater than 3 metres assistance may be used e.g. fins
respond in a team to at least two of each of the simulated emergency scenarios contextualised to the candidate’s workplace/aquatic environment:
assist two other team members with the removal of an unconscious person from the water
complete a 25 metre swim and 25 metre non-contact tow of a conscious casualty with assisted landing in less than 1minute 45 seconds
work as a team to perform spinal immobilisation, stabilization and removal of a suspected spinal injury casualty in both shallow and deep water:
immobilise and roll over as per workplace and pool depth
use of available spinal immobilisation equipment.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
legislation and organisational policies and procedures that enable the safe and appropriate conduct of all activities:
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
duty of care
working with children
communication protocols
rescue and emergency procedures
incident reporting
factors leading to aquatic emergencies:
swimming ability
deep water
shallow water
river currents
surf conditions
strong winds
risk taking behaviour
different aquatic emergencies and appropriate responses:
sudden unconsciousness
spinal injury
drowning
heart attack
severe bleeding
epileptic seizures
severe asthma attacks
factors contributing to aquatic emergencies to enable prompt and accurate assessment of emergency situations:
number of casualties
rescue equipment
number and location of other staff
accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues
first aid techniques and standards to enable provision of safe and effective response and treatment of casualties
types and characteristics of water rescue equipment used in advanced water rescue to enable safe and effective use:
spinal immobilisation equipment
oxygen supplemented resuscitation
oxygen therapy
role of lifeguards and other personnel during major aquatic emergencies to enable effective emergency responses.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in:
a workplace or simulated aquatic facility or environment appropriate to the candidate’s current or intended work role.
Assessment must ensure use of:
CPR mannequins
rescue equipment:
reaching aids
spinal immobilisation equipment
pool rescue equipment (rescue tubes/rings)
suitable participants to enable demonstration of all water rescue techniques and scenarios, these can be:
participants in a workplace, or
individuals who participate in project activities, role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, within a training organisation.
Assessment activities that allow the individual to:
respond to realistic in-depth, industry-validated rescue scenarios and simulations.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Sectors
Community Recreation
Competency Field
Aquatics