Elements and Performance Criteria

Databases may include
contact names
telephone numbers
addresses (where appropriate)
aircraft/vessel details
aircraft/vessel requirements
Databases are maintained by updating details on a regular basis as determined by local policies and procedures

Assets may include
aircraft
including helicopters
Australian Defence Force aircraft
vessels and personnel
police equipment and personnel
civilian vessels
volunteer groups
clubs and associations

Strategic objectives may include
the systematic planning for the provision of Search and Rescue services and includes identification of emerging issues

Tactical objectives may include
the management of specific operations and includes resourcing
coordinating
reporting
etc

Policies and procedures protocols may include
National Search and Rescue manual
international search and rescue manuals and reference texts
legislation relevant to the operation/incident/response
legislation relevant to the organisation
operational
corporate and strategic plans
operational Standing Operating Procedures
operational performance standards
organisational personnel practices and guidelines
organisational quality standards

Last known/most probable position may include
gathering intelligence to establish:
route taken
last verbal/radio or other contact
known patterns based on historical/routine data
navigation plan

Physiological constraints may include
hypothermia
hyperthermia
physical condition
age
sex
mental condition
health

Environmental factors may include
terrain
weather conditions

Technical manuals documentation or relevant publication may include
Search and Rescue manuals
medical charts
flight plans
sail plans

Information management strategies may include
communication flow
use of technology
compatibility
audit trails
standardised information reporting procedures and formats

Calculations may include
using manual or computer systems
utilising compasses
protractors
time/distance/speed calculators
rulers and formulae
Calculations include sweep width and track spacing calculations for persons
vessels and aircraft
calculations in area - time - velocity - spacing
probability of detection factors
time/distance/speed calculations
time frame for survival and mobility calculations

Calculating a search area may include
the intended track/splash point/last known position and time
vectorial factors
wind
current
drift
leeway and other weather factors
positional error and safety factors

Determining a search pattern and track spacing may include
taking into account environmental factors including: weather conditions
currents
terrain
target type including: person
type of vessel/life raft; and physiological factors including body mass
clothing
medical conditions and state of mind

Determining the nature of the problem may include
consideration of such factors as:
size of area
time of day
number of lives at risk
location/accessibility
condition of survivors
capacity of available resources and speed of rescue platform(s)

Surviving delivery points may include
consideration of safe areas to alight survivor
hospital facilities
medical facilities

Time factors may include
time frame for survival
speed of rescue platform
time of mobilisation
transit times
rescue platform endurance

Continual evidence may include
reviewing available data
monitoring changing weather conditions
monitoring assets capabilities
reassessing requirements
assessing available daylight for search

Critical aspects of evidence
knowledge of defining the search area
preparing search and rescue plans and making recommendations to the Senior Search and Rescue Officer that are based on research

Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite: Nil
Co-requisite: Nil

Underpinning knowledge
Evidence of:
an understanding of Risk Management principles
an understanding of hypothermia/hyperthermia factors
an understanding of the Personal Development Plan
an understanding of coronial requirements in relation to SAR
a knowledge of potential rescue platforms' capabilities and limitations

Underpinning skills
The ability to:
effectively communicate and consult with a range of individuals by a range of means including fax
telephone and face-to-face
collect and analyse information
identify potential search patterns and their use pertaining to terrain
develop a compromised search area to suit available assets
use initiative to achieve goals
plan for results
a knowledge of coaching and team building concepts

Resource implications
On job assessment will not entail additional resources. However, rosters may need to be amended in order for simulation eg Search and Rescue exercise (SAREX) to be effected

Consistency of performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of assessment
Competence must be demonstrable for the relevant work situation by day or night. The assessment for this unit is most effectively undertaken on the job but may be undertaken in a simulation eg Search and Rescue Exercise - (SAREX)