Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 8:50 PM AWST
23/07/2026 8:50 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.
Operate and maintain a personal water craft for rescue operations
Operate and maintain a personal water craft for rescue operations
Unit of competency
National Code
PUASAR016A
PUASAR016A
State Code
D5521
D5521
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/08/2011
Field of Education
031705 - Marine Craft Operation
Original Release Date
18/08/2011
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit covers the competency required to operate and maintain a personal water craft (PWC) and to use PWC during aquatic rescue operations in surf or open water environments.State maritime licensing requirements to operate a PWC apply to this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for operations
- 1.1 Relevant logbooks are reviewed for previous operational feedback and pre-use information is completed in accordance with organisational requirements.
- 1.2 Pre-operational checks of PWC are completed in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines and organisational procedures.
- 1.3 Ancillary equipment is checked and securely stowed.
- 1.4 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is applied or stowed as appropriate.
- 1.5 PWC is transported to launching site and is launched according to manufacturer's guidelines and organisational procedures.
2. Receive task information
- 2.1 Task information received verbally or through communications system is acknowledged.
- 2.2 Personal capability to perform task based on surf conditions is evaluated prior to accepting task and this information is communicated to supervisor or communicator.
3. Manoeuvre PWC according to surf conditions
- 3.1 PWC is operated safely according to surf conditions and within personal skills and limitations.
- 3.2 Local regulations and legislation relevant to the operation of personal water craft are followed.
- 3.3 Communication with operational base is maintained.
- 3.4 Personal protective equipment is worn correctly.
- 3.5 Emergency procedures are implemented.
4. Assess rescue scene
- 4.1 Risk analysis of rescue scene is undertaken and hazards are identified.
- 4.2 Rescue method suitable to the situation is selected.
- 4.3 Safe passage to and out of the rescue scenes is assessed.
5. Perform rescue
- 5.1 Safe passage to and out of the rescue scene is navigated.
- 5.2 Powercraft is positioned at rescue scene.
- 5.3 Casualty is retrieved safely and is secured in accordance with organisational processes.
- 5.4 Progress is communicated to operational base.
- 5.5 Casualty is handed over at designated point .
- 5.6 Casualty transfer is completed in accordance with organisational procedures.
6. Complete rescue operations and recovery requirements
- 6.1 PWC is recovered from launch site and is transported to storage.
- 6.2 Post-operational checks and maintenance are completed in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and organisational procedures.
- 6.3 Debriefing with supervisor or other operational staff is completed.
- 6.4 Relevant logbooks are completed according to organisational requirements.
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.
Relevant logbooks may include:
Eeuipment service logs
patrol/service logs,
powercraft operations logs
Operational feedback may include:
equipment damage
new or variations to hazards in the local environment
operational readiness of equipment
Pre-operational checks may include:
correct operation of cooling system
efficient starting of motor
engine seating securely attached
ensuring sufficient fuel for proposed operation
Ancillary equipment may include:
flares
first aid kit
rescue handle
rescue sled
rescue tube
throw bag
two way radio
Transport may include:
on beach/sand
on roads
towing with an ATV or 4WD
Task information may include:
location of incident
support available
surveillance duty
Communications systems may include:
mobile phone
pager
two-way radio networks
Surf conditions may include:
calm water
choppy
large surf
plunging shorebreak
small surf
Communicator:
club/service team member
distressed swimmer
member of the public
radio operator
Personal skills and limitations
experience in prevailing conditions
knowledge of local area
qualifications/licences held
Operational base may include
communications centre
lifesaver/lifeguard patrol
service base
Emergency procedures may include
capsize drill
fire on board drill
motor stopped
Hazards may include:
adverse weather
choppy water surface condition
large surf
marine creature
people swimming
rocks
seaweed
Rescue methods may include:
conscious casualty rescue
leaving powercraft for a swimming rescue with a rescue tube
reaching over the edge of the craft to haul casualty on board
unconscious casualty rescue
using a crew person during rescue
Designated point may include:
shoreline
open water location suitable for transfer to another vessel
Casualty transfer may include:
transfer to another vessel
transfer to land based team members for first aid
transfer to medical aid
transfer to shore
Post-operational checks and maintenance may include:
correct operation of cooling system
flushing motor
refilling fuel
running of motor
Relevant logbooks may include:
Eeuipment service logs
patrol/service logs,
powercraft operations logs
Operational feedback may include:
equipment damage
new or variations to hazards in the local environment
operational readiness of equipment
Pre-operational checks may include:
correct operation of cooling system
efficient starting of motor
engine seating securely attached
ensuring sufficient fuel for proposed operation
Ancillary equipment may include:
flares
first aid kit
rescue handle
rescue sled
rescue tube
throw bag
two way radio
Transport may include:
on beach/sand
on roads
towing with an ATV or 4WD
Task information may include:
location of incident
support available
surveillance duty
Communications systems may include:
mobile phone
pager
two-way radio networks
Surf conditions may include:
calm water
choppy
large surf
plunging shorebreak
small surf
Communicator:
club/service team member
distressed swimmer
member of the public
radio operator
Personal skills and limitations
experience in prevailing conditions
knowledge of local area
qualifications/licences held
Operational base may include
communications centre
lifesaver/lifeguard patrol
service base
Emergency procedures may include
capsize drill
fire on board drill
motor stopped
Hazards may include:
adverse weather
choppy water surface condition
large surf
marine creature
people swimming
rocks
seaweed
Rescue methods may include:
conscious casualty rescue
leaving powercraft for a swimming rescue with a rescue tube
reaching over the edge of the craft to haul casualty on board
unconscious casualty rescue
using a crew person during rescue
Designated point may include:
shoreline
open water location suitable for transfer to another vessel
Casualty transfer may include:
transfer to another vessel
transfer to land based team members for first aid
transfer to medical aid
transfer to shore
Post-operational checks and maintenance may include:
correct operation of cooling system
flushing motor
refilling fuel
running of motor
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:
safely operate a PWC during rescue operations in a range of surf conditions
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated surf conditions.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed by completing PWC operations, exercises or scenarios.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
equipment used in PWC rescue operations
open water
range of challenging surf conditions relevant to the area of operations
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.
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:
safely operate a PWC during rescue operations in a range of surf conditions
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual or simulated surf conditions.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed by completing PWC operations, exercises or scenarios.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
equipment used in PWC rescue operations
open water
range of challenging surf conditions relevant to the area of operations
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAX76 | PUASAR016 | Operate and maintain a personal water craft for rescue operations | Unit of competency |