This unit applies to those working as caving adventure guides, instructors or program managers. This may include those required to perform cave rescues individually or as part of a team.

This unit also applies to outdoor recreation leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

SISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescues

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for cave rescue operation.

1.1. Obtain and analyse operation and task information.

1.2. Select rescue equipment based on incident information and check to ensure it is ready for use.

1.3. Select and fit personal protective equipment according to the nature of the cave rescue operation and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Assess and manage cave rescue.

2.1. Assess physical features of cave rescue scene before deploying rescue resources according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2.2. Assess, minimise and control immediate hazards and risks to self and others.

2.3. Manage rescue to control access and maintain a safe and effective operational environment according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2.4. Establish and maintain communication with other personnel on site.

2.5. Select and co-ordinate a rescue method suitable to the situation.

3. Determine location and condition of casualties.

3.1. Assess incident scene and use appropriate equipment to determine possible location of casualties.

3.2. Collect and report evidence of location within cave.

3.3. Ascertain the condition of casualties and or nature of entrapment, where possible.

4. Undertake cave rescue.

4.1. Obtain entry permission and obtain additional relevant information before entering cave according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

4.2. Monitor atmosphere according to relevant organisational policies and procedures.

4.3. Implement appropriate ventilation procedures and use respiratory protection in irrespirable atmospheres, where required according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.4. Employ appropriate techniques and equipment to access the casualty.

4.5. Negotiate obstacles and hazards and maintain communication with other personnel and casualty throughout the rescue process.

4.6. Treat located casualties in consultation with medical personnel, according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.7. Remove casualties safely according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.8. Take appropriate actions to preserve the incident scene, where possible.

5. Conclude rescue operations.

5.1. Recover, clean and service equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines.

5.2. Report signs and symptoms of operational stress, where required.

5.3. Evaluate rescue activity and identify improvements for future rescue experiences in a cave.

5.4. Complete operational documentation according to organisational policies and procedures.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to:

determine the most appropriate rescue method to use according to the incident scene

anticipate and mitigate hazards and risks

determine location and condition of casualty inside cave

communication skills to inform progress and interact with other personnel and casualty throughout the rescue process

teamwork skills to support other personnel in the rescue operation, including removing casualties from a cave using lifting, lowering and or hauling systems

planning and organising skills to:

select relevant equipment

asses the rescue scene before deploying resources

conduct atmospheric monitoring procedures

apply ventilation procedures and respiratory protection in irrespirable atmospheres

self management skills to recognise and report signs of operational stress

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and treatment of casualties in consultation with medical personnel.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all processes conducted during cave rescues

cave navigation and search techniques to promptly locate the casualty

hazards and risks associated with particular cave rescues to minimise risk to those involved

technical ascending and descending ability to ensure safe and efficient rescue

personal protective and rescue equipment types, characteristics and technology to enable appropriate selection and use of equipment

principles and techniques for using and selecting belay systems and devices, anchors, knots and ropes

methods of removing casualties from caves, including lifting, lowering, hauling and principles of mechanical advantage

ventilation procedures and respiratory protection in irrespirable atmospheres to ensure sufficient oxygen to breathe

rescue and emergency procedures relevant to the location and situation to ensure safety of self and other personnel.

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 and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

analyses operation and task information and selects rescue and personal safety equipment according to the requirements of the cave rescue operation

assesses the incident scene to determine potential hazards and risks, and the condition and location of the casualty, to determine the most effective and efficient rescue method for the situation

monitors atmosphere quality in the cave and implements appropriate ventilation procedures and respiratory protection where required

communicates with other personnel and casualty throughout the rescue process and treats and removes casualties, according to level of responsibility

reflects on and evaluates rescue performance and completes operational documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure conduct of rescues in caves that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

caves with a variety of rescue scenarios, potential hazards and risks, and a casualty to be rescued

personnel for team based rescues

caving, safety and rescue equipment.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of assessing incident site for hazards and risks prior to performing rescue

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment types and characteristics and organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation to enable safe conduct of rescue activities

observation of identifying and assessing the location and condition of casualty prior to rescue

observation of performing safe and efficient rescue, including the treatment and removal of casualties according to situation and in consultation with other personnel

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISOCVE409A Rig ladders in complex situations

Guidance information for assessment

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.

Rescue equipment may include:

ropes and tapes

tripods and edge management

harnesses

litters and stretchers

drag mats

hauling systems

communication systems

atmospheric monitoring equipment

compass, cave maps and surveys.

Personal protective equipment may include:

gloves

helmets

safety glasses

atmospheric monitoring equipment

self-contained breathing apparatus

air supply lines.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

risk management

communication protocols

removal of casualties

ventilation procedures

minimal impact environmental and caving codes

Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines

code of ethics.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

Australian Standards for safe working in a confined space

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Hazards may include:

oxygen enrichment

oxygen deficiency

atmospheric contaminants

swift water

unstable surfaces

falls from heights or into depths.

Risks may include:

heat exhaustion or hypothermia

oxygen deficiency

injuries and illnesses.

Personnel may include:

agency support

on-site staff

emergency services workers

government authorities.

Evidence may include:

entry permit

permit to work

information received from bystanders

witnesses and emergency services personnel.

Remove casualties may include:

lifting

lowering

hauling

mechanical advantage systems.

Preserve the incident scene may include:

preservation of evidence and related legal requirements.

Documentation, including photographs, of the scene

Operational documentation may include:

entry permits

tally boards

entry control procedures

air monitoring procedures

equipment and rope logs

exposure records.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.