Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:03 AM AWST

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Apply advanced first aid

Apply advanced first aid

Unit of competency
National Code
HLTFA402C
State Code
D8249
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
25/03/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
20/02/2013
Field of Education
069907 - First Aid
Original Release Date
20/02/2013
Nominal Hours
40
Description
DescriptorThis unit deals with the provision of advanced first aid response, life support, management of casualty(s), the incident and other first aiders, until the arrival of medical or other assistance, and provision of support to other providersThis unit builds on HLTFA301B: Apply first aid to include additional skills and use of a range of equipment
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess the situation
  • 1.1 Identify, assess and minimise hazards that may pose a risk of injury or illness to self and others
  • 1.2 Assess risks to first aider and others and determine appropriate response to ensure prompt control of situation
  • 1.3 Ascertain and prioritise need(s) for emergency services/medical assistance and undertake triage where required
  • 1.4 Deploy resources to appropriate locations as required in line with workplace procedures
2. Manage the casualty(s)
  • 2.1 Determine and explain the nature of casualty's injury/condition and relevant first aid procedures to provide comfort
  • 2.2 Respond to the casualty in a culturally aware, sensitive and respectful manner
  • 2.3 Seek consent for management of the casualty's injury/illness from person(s) where relevant
  • 2.4 Determine and implement welfare procedure according to casualty(s) needs
  • 2.5 Control effects of injury and determine and apply appropriate first aid management to meet the needs of the casualty and situation
  • 2.6 Assist with self-medication in accordance with State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and manufacturer's/supplier's instructions and subject to casualty's regime
  • 2.7 Monitor casualty's condition and respond in a timely manner in accordance with effective first aid principles
  • 2.8 Correctly operate basic life support equipment where appropriate according to relevant legislation and manufacturer's/supplier's instructions
  • 2.9 Apply safety procedures for operation of pressurised gases
  • 2.10 Use safe manual handling techniques
  • 2.11 Finalise management according to casualty's needs and first aid principles
3. Coordinate first aid activities until arrival of medical assistance
  • 3.1 Identify available resources required and establish communication links with appropriate personnel, emergency management services and medical assistance as appropriate
  • 3.2 Deploy correct amount of resources to appropriate locations in an effective manner to ensure timely arrival of required resources
  • 3.3 Document the provision of resources and recommend modifications as required
  • 3.4 Monitor the condition of casualties in accordance with first aid principles and workplace procedures
  • 3.5 Coordinate evacuation of casualties according to relevant evacuation procedures
  • 3.6 Arrange support services for personnel involved in the incident in accordance with relevant principles and procedures
4. Communicate essential incident details
  • 4.1 Maintain communication with relevant personnel using appropriate media and equipment
  • 4.2 Communicate first aid information with other providers/carers as appropriate to meet their needs and in accordance with workplace procedures
  • 4.3 Calmly provide information to reassure casualty, adopting a communication style to match the casualty's level of consciousness
  • 4.4 Prepare an incident report in line with organisation requirements
  • 4.5 Maintain confidentiality of records and information in line with privacy principles and statutory and/or organisation policies
5. Evaluate the incident
  • 5.1 Evaluate management of the incident and where required develop an action plan in consultation with relevant parties
  • 5.2 Participate in debriefing/evaluation in order to improve future operations and address individual's needs
  • 5.3 Formulate and review contingency planning to identify and select alternative management principles and procedures as required
RANGE STATEMENT

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.


Contextualisation to address specific requirements may include:
Focus on first aid management of specific types of injury
First aid provision under specific constraints or circumstances (eg. in confined spaces, in maritime work environment or in work environment involving identified risks/hazards)


First aid management must take into account:
Workplace policies and procedures
Industry/site specific regulations, codes etc.
OHS requirements
State and territory workplace health and safety requirements


A hazard is:
A source or situation with the potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill-health, damage to property, the environment, or a combination of these


Hazards may include:
Physical hazards
Biological hazards
Chemical hazards
Hazards associated with manual handling


Risks may include:
Risks from worksite equipment, machinery and substances
Risks from first aid equipment (oxygen cylinders, AED)
Environmental risks
Exposure to blood and other body substances
Risk of further injury to the casualty
Risks associated with the proximity of other workers and bystanders
Risks from vehicles
Fallen power lines, step and touch potential


Casualty's condition is managed for:
Abdominal injuries
Airway obstruction
Allergic reactions
Altered and loss of consciousness
Bleeding
Burns - thermal, chemical, friction, electrical
Chest pain
Injuries: cold and crush injuries; eye and ear injuries; head, neck and spinal injuries; minor skin injuries; needle stick injuries; soft tissue injuries including sprains, strains, dislocations
Near drowning
Envenomation - snake, spider, insect and marine bites
Environmental conditions such as hypothermia, hyperthermia, dehydration, heat stroke
Fractures
Medical conditions, including cardiac conditions, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other respiratory conditions
No signs of life
Pain relief
Poisoning and toxic substances (including chemical contamination)
Respiratory distress
Shock
Seizures
Stroke
Substance misuse - all drugs and alcohol, including illicit drugs


First Aid management skills must include in accordance with ARC Guidelines, State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and industry requirements:
Administration of analgesia
CPR
Infection control
AED
Identification and management of anaphylactic shock reaction in accordance with ARC Guidelines, State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and industry requirements
Oxygen administration


First aid management must account for:
Location and nature of the workplace
Environmental conditions eg electricity (high or low voltage), biological risks, weather, motor vehicle accidents
Location of emergency services personnel
Number of casualties and potential casualties
Use and availability of first aid equipment, resources and pharmaceuticals
Types of dangers/risks to the casualty and any others in the vicinity of the situation
Confined spaces, subject to industry need


Medications may include in accordance with ARC Guidelines, State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies and industry requirements:
Oxygen
Analgesics
Bronchodilators
Casualty's own medications
Auto-injectors


Resources and equipment are used appropriate to the risk to be met and may include:
Oxygen resuscitation/cylinders
AED
Thermometers
Auto-injectors
Back boards
Stretchers
Soft bag resuscitator
First aid kit
Casualty's medication
Analgesic inhalers
Analgesic gas equipment
Resuscitation mask or barrier
Spacer device
Cervical collars


Information to be documented may include:
Time
Location
Description of injury
First aid management
Fluid intake/output, including fluid loss via:
blood
vomit
faeces
urine
Administration of medication including:
time
date
person administering
dose
Vital signs


Established first aid principles include:
Checking the site for danger to self, the casualty and others and minimising the danger
Checking and maintaining the casualty's airway, breathing and circulation
EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 of assessment:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Competence should be demonstrated working individually and, where appropriate, as part of a first aid team
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace or community setting
Currency of first aid knowledge and skills is to be demonstrated in line with state/territory regulations, legislation and policies, ARC and industry guidelines


Method of assessment may include:
Skills in performing first aid procedures are to be assessed through demonstration, with questioning to confirm essential knowledge
Skills may be assessed through simulations, using anatomical models, manikins or in a high fidelity simulation centre
For assessment purposes, demonstration of skills in CPR procedures requires using a model of the human body (resuscitation manikin) in line with ARC Guidelines


Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C9255 HLTFA402B Apply advanced first aid Unit of competency
C5007 HLTFA2A Apply advanced first aid Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WD148 HLTFA412A Apply advanced first aid Unit of competency