ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

1. Determine rescue requirements.

1.1. Assess situation to determine appropriate response to dive incident, according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.2. Identify and assess immediate hazards and risks to self and others.

1.3. Determine the type of rescue required and formulate a rescue plan according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Apply diver rescue or rescues.

2.1. Access equipment as required.

2.2. Perform underwater search techniques to recover diver or divers.

2.3. Administer action and perform rescue or rescues in simulated dive incidents.

2.4. Monitor the condition of the diver or divers and provide appropriate treatment according to industry standards and organisational policies and procedures.

3. Use supplemental oxygen.

3.1. Ensure that prepared oxygen equipment meets oxygen use standards and industry technical and safety criteria.

3.2. Comply with the standards specified in the Dangerous Goods Regulations (Class 2 - Gases) while using oxygen.

3.3. Demonstrate that the administration of supplemental oxygen complies with industry technical and safety criteria.

4. Evaluate diver rescues.

4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the rescue or rescues.

4.2. Identify improvements for future diver rescue experiences.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to:

identify factors leading to diving incidents

assess and evaluate emergency situations

determine search and rescue techniques to perform according to the situation

communication skills to alert others where possible and to provide reassurance to diver

planning and organising skills to devise a mental rescue plan under pressure after assessing the situation

observation skills to identify diving emergencies and to monitor condition of diver

fitness, strength and diving skills to perform underwater search and rescues in open water of up to 18 metres deep

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation, organisational policies and procedures, industry technical and safety criteria and industry standards to enable safe conduct of rescues

communication systems used during rescues to inform of progress

potential hazards and risks in open water to enable safe conduct of rescues

principles of search and rescue techniques to perform suitable to dive incident and situation

first aid, emergency and rescue procedures appropriate to the conditions to ensure risk minimisation.

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:

assesses the dive situation for hazards and risks to self and others before formulating a suitable rescue plan

identifies and applies underwater search and rescue techniques according to the situation

monitors diver's condition and applies first aid treatment according to industry criteria, organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation

evaluates and reflects on search and rescue performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple open water rescue activities that are of a sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

an open water SCUBA dive site suitable for simulated dive rescues

suitable participants to take part in underwater rescues

a suitable diving boat, if required

dive, navigation and search 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:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of emergency diving situations and open water rescues

observation of safe demonstration of search and rescue techniques according to legislative and organisational requirements

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

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.

Assess may include:

number and condition of people

contributing factors

hazards and risks

first aid or treatment required.

Dive incident may include:

near drowning

hypothermia

cramps

choking

running low on air

entanglement

conscious or unconscious

decompression illnesses

barotrauma

nitrogen narcosis

contaminated air

minor aquatic life injuries.

Industry technical and safety criteria may include:

British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)

Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)

SCUBA Schools International (SSI).

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

communication protocols

code of ethics

minimal impact codes.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

group management

partial and or changing pressure

temperature and weather extremes

rough conditions

rocks and reefs

water depth

entanglement

disorientation

squeezes

barotrauma

aquatic animals and plants.

Others may include:

diver or divers to be rescued

rescuers or instructors

other divers.

Rescue may include:

ascent

searches

equipment removal

rescuee breathing

tows

calling expert assistance

exits.

Equipment may include:

SCUBA diving equipment

navigation equipment

search and rescue equipment.

Underwater search techniques may include:

linear

circular

U pattern

jack stay

expanding square.

Action may include:

marking diver's position

freeing diver

providing more gas

bringing diver to the surface

making diver buoyant

carrying out continuous artificial respiration

attracting help

towing the diver to a boat or to land.

Treatment may include:

danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation routine

expired air resuscitation

cardiopulmonary resuscitation

injury or illness or shock related treatment

providing first aid until professional medical help arrives.

Industry standards may include:

Australian Resuscitation Council standards

first aid techniques and standards.

Oxygen equipment may include:

demand valve or free flow systems

face masks

regulator and cylinder

flow rates.

Oxygen use standards may include:

equipment modifications

explosion

fire

handling

charging

testing.