Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 6:07 PM AWST
23/07/2026 6:07 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Train canines to work in a USAR environment
Train canines to work in a USAR environment
Unit of competency
National Code
PUASAR019A
PUASAR019A
State Code
D5524
D5524
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/08/2011
Field of Education
099905 - Security Services
Original Release Date
18/08/2011
Nominal Hours
180
Description
This unit covers the competency required to acclimatise canines to work within an urban search and rescue (USAR) environment, develop the canine's ability to detect live human scent and to indicate live human scent with alert behaviours.This unit also covers the competency required to manage training assistants in a simulated USAR environment for the purposes of training canines.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Work in a USAR environment
- 1.1 Risk assessment of the USAR environment is undertaken.
- 1.2 Personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate for the USAR environment is selected and worn.
- 1.3 Principles and procedures for working safely in a USAR environment are implemented.
2. Introduce canines to a USAR environment
- 2.1 Incremental approach is followed to introduce canines to a USAR environment.
- 2.2 Problems that may develop with canines being introduced to a USAR environment are identified and solved within area of own responsibility.
- 2.3 Problems outside area of own responsibility are referred to appropriate person for action and recommendations are made where appropriate.
3. Prepare canines for detection of live human scent
- 3.1 Scent factors that limit the capability of canines to function efficiently are identified.
- 3.2 Canine behaviour and responses are interpreted and action is taken.
- 3.3 Interaction with canines is undertaken to maintain an enthusiastic, effective and appropriate level of work and behaviour in required locations.
- 3.4 Canines are deployed to detect live human scent in a range of areas and situations.
4. Develop alert behaviour in canines
- 4.1 Training tools and techniques are used to shape the desired bark alert behaviour.
- 4.2 Problems encountered in bark alert training are diagnosed and solved.
5. Train canine using appropriate methods
- 5.1 Humane ways of training are used that reflect positive reinforcement techniques.
- 5.2 Canine psychology and drives are applied in training canine.
- 5.3 Appropriate degree of correction is used to discourage unwanted behaviour.
- 5.4 Canines involved in training are handled and controlled in a way that maintains performance and safety.
6. Manage training assistants
- 6.1 Training assistant is selected appropriate to the training exercise.
- 6.2 Training assistant is briefed and informed of the outcomes of the exercise.
- 6.3 Job safety analysis is provided to training assistant.
- 6.4 Safety and welfare of training assistants is maintained at all time.
- 6.5 Problems encountered with training assistants are diagnosed and solved.
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Personal protective clothing and equipment must include:
ear protection
elbow pads
eye protection
gloves
helmet
knee pads
lighting (if required)
full length clothing (i.e. long sleeve shirt, pant, overall)
safety boots
whistle
Principles and procedures for working safely in a USAR environment must include:
confined space entry
evacuation signals
job safety analysis
three points of contact
weather conditions
Incremental approach may include:
distraction training
exposure to given environment
motivational reward
positive reward
step by step exposure
Problems may include:
failure to alert
lacks penetration drive
lacks prey/play drive
leaves victim location
Scent factors may include:
animals
biological material
clothing
cold
condition of victim
elevation
food
hazardous material
heat
hot scent
machinery
rubble pile lay out
surfaces
time of day
water
wind
Behaviour and responses may include:
anxiety
barking
body language
digging
eagerness
false alert
fear
following scent cone
over enthusiastic
passive alert
pawing
scratching
stress
whinging
Range of areas and situations may include:
buildings
collapsed building rural
collapsed building urban
explosions
fires
floods
landslides
Training tools and techniques may include:
alert hole lid
assistant
bark box
clicker
food
positive reinforcement
toy
whistle
Bark alert behaviour includes:
spontaneous repetitive barking for twenty seconds, which may be interspersed with digging and attempts to penetrate
Canine psychology and drives may include:
defensive-response to protect itself from a perceived threat
food-desire to get food
frustration and opposition reflex
hunt-intensity in searching without a visual cue
instinctual behaviours and motivations exhibited by the canine
operant and classical conditioning
pack-desire to work within framework of the pack
play-desire to actively entertain itself with any object
prey-intensity in chasing, catching, biting, carrying
Degree of correction must include:
appropriate action administered to a canine of an intensity appropriate to behaviour modification
use of correction devices in accordance with state/territory regulations
Appropriate training assistant characteristics may include:
fitness level appropriate to the task
no known phobias specific to environment
physical characteristics appropriate to task
willingness to follow instructions
Briefing may include:
canine level of training
communication techniques
how to interact with the canine
likely problems and solutions
outcomes of exercise
Safety and welfare include:
'No duff' or 'casreal' procedure
comfort
evacuation plan
hydration
job safety analysis
timings
Personal protective clothing and equipment must include:
ear protection
elbow pads
eye protection
gloves
helmet
knee pads
lighting (if required)
full length clothing (i.e. long sleeve shirt, pant, overall)
safety boots
whistle
Principles and procedures for working safely in a USAR environment must include:
confined space entry
evacuation signals
job safety analysis
three points of contact
weather conditions
Incremental approach may include:
distraction training
exposure to given environment
motivational reward
positive reward
step by step exposure
Problems may include:
failure to alert
lacks penetration drive
lacks prey/play drive
leaves victim location
Scent factors may include:
animals
biological material
clothing
cold
condition of victim
elevation
food
hazardous material
heat
hot scent
machinery
rubble pile lay out
surfaces
time of day
water
wind
Behaviour and responses may include:
anxiety
barking
body language
digging
eagerness
false alert
fear
following scent cone
over enthusiastic
passive alert
pawing
scratching
stress
whinging
Range of areas and situations may include:
buildings
collapsed building rural
collapsed building urban
explosions
fires
floods
landslides
Training tools and techniques may include:
alert hole lid
assistant
bark box
clicker
food
positive reinforcement
toy
whistle
Bark alert behaviour includes:
spontaneous repetitive barking for twenty seconds, which may be interspersed with digging and attempts to penetrate
Canine psychology and drives may include:
defensive-response to protect itself from a perceived threat
food-desire to get food
frustration and opposition reflex
hunt-intensity in searching without a visual cue
instinctual behaviours and motivations exhibited by the canine
operant and classical conditioning
pack-desire to work within framework of the pack
play-desire to actively entertain itself with any object
prey-intensity in chasing, catching, biting, carrying
Degree of correction must include:
appropriate action administered to a canine of an intensity appropriate to behaviour modification
use of correction devices in accordance with state/territory regulations
Appropriate training assistant characteristics may include:
fitness level appropriate to the task
no known phobias specific to environment
physical characteristics appropriate to task
willingness to follow instructions
Briefing may include:
canine level of training
communication techniques
how to interact with the canine
likely problems and solutions
outcomes of exercise
Safety and welfare include:
'No duff' or 'casreal' procedure
comfort
evacuation plan
hydration
job safety analysis
timings
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
work as part of a team
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time under a range of conditions that would be expected in the workplace.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency must be assessed in a controlled, simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline
canines training to work in a USAR environment
legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines relating to the health and welfare of canines
training assistants
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment according to the workplace environment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
work as part of a team
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time under a range of conditions that would be expected in the workplace.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency must be assessed in a controlled, simulated workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
Australian Urban Search&Rescue Canine Capability Best Practice Guideline
canines training to work in a USAR environment
legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines relating to the health and welfare of canines
training assistants
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment according to the workplace environment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAX74 | PUASAR019 | Train canines to work in a USAR environment | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C600 | PUA30601 | Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |