Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:27 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.

Respond to an aquatic emergency using advanced water rescue techniques

Respond to an aquatic emergency using advanced water rescue techniques

Unit of competency
National Code
SRCAQU007B
State Code
C7943
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
11/10/2004
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
11/10/2005
Field of Education
069907 - First Aid
Original Release Date
11/10/2005
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit has been developed for the Community Recreation Industry Training Package and covers the skills and knowledge to identify and evaluate a major aquatic emergency and perform an advanced water rescue. These situations will usually involve a team response.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Identify and evaluate a major aquatic emergency
  • 1.1 Identify the factors that contribute to major aquatic emergencies
  • 1.2 Communicate initial assessment to appropriate personnel in accordance with accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues
  • 1.3 Identify an appropriate emergency response for the situation and the people involved
2 Response to a major aquatic emergency is implemented
  • 2.1 Respond to the characteristics of a person in difficulty as quickly as possible
  • 2.2 Implement strategies for group control
  • 2.3 Remove clients, staff and other individuals from danger
  • 2.4 Determine involvement of other individuals or the use of bystanders
  • 2.5 Activate emergency systems
3 Apply the principles of an advanced water rescue
  • 3.1 Assess the factors involved in conducting an advanced water rescue and formulate a rescue plan
  • 3.2 Consider the rescue plan, self-preservation and the safety of bystanders
  • 3.3 Determine the type of rescue required and rescue equipment needed
  • 3.4 Identify hazards and appropriate action taken to prevent further injury to the casualty
  • 3.5 Perform an advanced water rescue in accordance with accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues
4 Assess the casualty and take an appropriate course of action
  • 4.1 Observe and describe the condition of the casualty
  • 4.2 Assess vital signs and symptoms of shock in accordance with accepted first aid procedures
  • 4.3 Identify and explain appropriate first aid for the casualty's condition
  • 4.4 Provide treatment appropriate to the casualty's condition in line with approved first aid techniques and standards
5 Organise further emergency care as required
  • 5.1 Make contact with emergency services as soon as possible
  • 5.2 Provide accurate information in order to obtain the required assistance from emergency services
  • 5.3 Monitor casualty or arrange further treatment until emergency response team assumes responsibility
6 Record and report the incident
  • 6.1 Complete a record of the incident and action taken using appropriate forms and in line with legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements
  • 6.2 Notify appropriate other personnel and statutory authorities of the incident
Range Statements
The Range Statements provide advice to interpret the scope and context of this unit of competence, allowing for differences between enterprises and workplaces. The Range Statements relate to the unit as a whole and helps facilitate holistic assessment. In addition, the following variables may be present for this particular unit of competency

RANGE STATEMENT
CATEGORIES
Accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues
must include
accepted preventative practice adopted throughout the aquatic industry to minimise safety hazards or risks to casualty, bystanders and rescuer
Guidelines or Code of Conduct policies developed by the peak bodies responsible for lifesaving, such as The Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia
national organisation regulations and guidelines
relevant national, state/territory or local government regulations and guidelines
employer organisation's policies and procedures
the culture of lifesaving
current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation
Advanced water rescue
is performed in a team situation and must include use of
spine-board
spinal immobilisation collar
oxygen supplemented resuscitation
oxygen therapy
Aquatic emergencies
may include
envenomation
sudden unconsciousness
spinal injured person
drowning
heart attack
severe bleeding
multiple victims
epileptic seizures
severe asthma attacks
Characteristics of a person in difficulty
will vary according to the situation but may include
calling for help
vertical body position
diagonal body position
minimal or non-supportive leg action
vigorous arm movements
head tilted up and back, face turned to safety or help
submerged
Factors that may contribute to major aquatic emergencies
may include
swimming ability
environmental conditions such as
deep water
shallow water
river currents
surf
strong wind
risk taking behaviour
consumption of alcohol or use of illegal drugs
number and condition of victims
First aid techniques and standards
must include
danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation routine
Australian Resuscitation Council Standards
People involved
may include
casualty
bystanders
rescuers
staff
Rescue equipment
will vary according to the situation but may include
reaching aids
ropes
flotation aids
flippers
rescue tube
spine-board
spinal immobilisation collar
rescue board
oxygen resuscitation equipment
Rescue plan
the rescue plan considers the following factors
self-preservation
awareness of personal capabilities
available assistance
selection of rescue aids
nature of the area
number of people in difficulty
priorities of rescue

Use of bystanders
applies when
the safety of bystanders is secure
bystanders have appropriate skills
sufficient trained staff are not available
may be appropriate to
identify what happened
bring rescue and first aid equipment
summon emergency services
assist with first aid
assist with reassurance of casualty
assist with individual or multiple casualty care
provide information about casualty
assist with crowd control
assist with immobilisation of casualty
assist with removal of casualty from the water
supervise surrounding areas and activitie
The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects, knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. This is an integral part of the assessment of competence and should be read in conjunction with the Range Statements

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm the ability integrated demonstration of all elements of competency and their performance criteria, in particular the ability to
identify the factors that contribute to an aquatic emergency
develop and implement an appropriate emergency response for the situation and the people involved, minimising risk to self and other bystanders
respond as part of a team to an aquatic emergency which involves more than one casualty
determine type of rescue technique/s required, select the appropriate rescue equipment and carry out the rescue according to accepted industry best practice principles of aquatic rescues
assess casualty's condition and apply appropriate first aid treatment in line with approved first aid treatment techniques and standards
organise further emergency care as required
accurately report the incident and notify other relevant personnel according to legislative, regulatory and organisation requirement
Interdependent assessment of units
This unit must be assessed after attainment of competency in the following unit(s)
SRCAQU003B Respond to an aquatic emergency using basic water rescue techniques
SRXFAD001A Provide first aid
This unit must be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)
Nil
For the purpose of integrated assessment, this unit may be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)
SRCAQU006B Supervise clients at an aquatic facility or environment
Required knowledge and skills
Required knowledge
Factors contributing to aquatic emergencies
Appropriate responses to aquatic emergencies
Characteristics of a person in difficulty
First aid techniques and standards
Types of water rescue equipment for advanced water rescues
Principles of advanced water rescues
Relevant equipment and safety requirements, including occupational health and safety legislative requirements
Roles of lifeguards and other personnel during major aquatic emergencies
Required skills
Skills and techniques required to perform advanced water rescues including the use of appropriate rescue equipment
Ability to identify factors leading to aquatic emergencies
Communication skills to signal other personnel, activate emergency systems and provide information to relevant others
Ability to organise and delegate tasks to implement an aquatic emergency response plan as part of a team
Assessment and treatment of casualties according to approved first aid techniques and standards including the use of oxygen resuscitation equipment
Procedures for communicating with emergency services
Ability to retrieve an object from the deepest water within the aquatic environment, no greater than 3 metres; if depth is greater than 3 metres assistance may be used, eg, fins
Ability to complete a 25 metre swim and 25 metre tow with assisted landing in less than 1 minute and 45 seconds
Fitness and strength level, which may be demonstrated the following
swimming 200 metres in less than 6 minutes
Resource implications
Physical resources - assessment of this competency requires access to
a real or simulated work environment
appropriate documentation and resources normally used in the workplace
a swimming pool/aquatic environment and advanced water rescue equipment
suitable participants
rules, policies and regulations of relevant peak bodies and/or employer organisations
Human resources - assessment of this competency will require
human resources consistent with those outlined in the Assessment Guidelines. That is, assessors (or persons within the assessment team) must
be competent in this unit
be current in their knowledge and understanding of the industry through provision of evidence of professional activity in the relevant area
have attained the mandatory competency requirements for assessors under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) as specified in Standard 7.3 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations
Consistency in performance
Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance over the Range Statements and contexts applicable to the work environment
Context for assessment
This unit of competency must be assessed in the context of community recreation in Australia. For valid and reliable assessment the community recreation activity should closely replicate the work environment. The environment should be safe, with the hazards, circumstances and equipment likely to be encountered in a real workplace
This unit of competence should be assessed through the observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on required knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a "period of time" and/or in a "number of locations", any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

KEY COMPETENCIES
Collect, Analyse&Organise Information
Communicate Ideas&Information
Plan&Organise Activities
Work with Others&in Teams
Use Mathematical Ideas&Techniques
Solve Problems
Use Technology
3
2
3
2
1
3
2
These levels do not relate to the Australian Qualifications Framework. They relate to the seven areas of generic competency that underpin effective workplace practices.
The three levels of performance (1, 2 and 3) denote the level of competency required to perform the task:
Use routine approaches
Select from routine approaches
Establish new approaches
Collecting, analysing and organising information -
Communicating ideas and information -
Planning and organising activities -
Working with teams and others -
Using mathematical ideas and techniques -
Solving problems -
Using technology -
Please refer to the Assessment Guidelines for advice on how to use the Key Competencies.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C4370 SRCAQU007A Respond to an aquatic emergency using advanced water rescue techniques Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
D6155 SISCAQU307A Perform advanced water rescues Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
C764 SRC30204 Certificate III in Community Recreation Qualification