Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 6:49 AM AWST

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Provide emergency care for suspected spinal injury

Provide emergency care for suspected spinal injury

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAEME007
State Code
OER76
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
16/12/2022
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
28/04/2023
Field of Education
069907 - First Aid
Original Release Date
28/04/2023
Nominal Hours
8
Description
This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to minimise further injury to a casualty when applying first aid and waiting for emergency medical aid. It includes recognition and management of a suspected spinal injury, immobilising cervical spine, evaluating the need to move a casualty, preparing a casualty for transport, transporting and monitoring a casualty, and performing a casualty handover. The unit is applicable to personnel from emergency services, volunteer organisations or organisations which provide a first aid service in an environment where there is a risk of spinal injuries. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Identify suspected spinal injury
  • 1.1 Signs and symptoms from a conscious casualty that may suggest a spinal injury are identified
  • 1.2 Signs of life in an unconscious casualty are confirmed
  • 1.3 Basic life support protocols are followed with care for casualty’s spine where casualty exhibits no signs of life
  • 1.4 Likely causes of unconsciousness that may suggest a spinal injury are identified
  • 1.5 Seek assistance from emergency services in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and requirements
  • 1.6 Casualty is communicated with to provide reassurance and to explain need to minimise movement of their spine
2 Immobilise cervical spine
  • 2.1 Conscious casualty is assisted to supine position in accordance with organisational policies, procedures, manufacturers' instructions and availability of personnel
  • 2.2 Unconscious casualty is immobilised in accordance with organisation policies, procedures and requirements
3 Evaluate need to move casualty
  • 3.1 Potential hazards to first responder and to casualty are identified
  • 3.2 Risk of not moving the casualty while waiting for medical aid to arrive is evaluated
  • 3.3 Plan to move casualty is developed in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and availability of additional support
4 Prepare casualty for transport
  • 4.1 Casualty is communicated with to provide reassurance and the need to immobilise the casualty for transport is explained
  • 4.2 Equipment to immobilise the casualty’s spine is selected according to organisational policies, procedures, requirements and manufacturers' instructions
  • 4.3 Immobilisation equipment is applied in accordance with organisational policies, procedures, requirements and manufacturers’ instructions
5 Transport and monitor casualty
  • 5.1 Casualty is transported away from hazard according to organisational policies, procedures and requirements
  • 5.2 Team is coordinated according to organisational policies, procedures and requirements
  • 5.3 Casualty is monitored and communication is maintained during transportation
6 Perform casualty handover
  • 6.1 Details of incident are communicated to medical personnel
  • 6.2 Debriefing and/or evaluation of incident is undertaken in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and requirements
  • 6.3 Documentation is completed in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and requirements.
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
OAZ37 PUAEME004 Provide emergency care for suspected spinal injury Unit of competency