Elements and Performance Criteria

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
Factors which contribute to major aquatic emergencies may include:
swimming ability
deep water
shallow water
river currents
surf
strong wind
risk-taking behaviour.
Signs and signals 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.
Aquatic emergency may include:
envenomation by aquatic animals
sudden unconsciousness
spinal injury
drowning
heart attack
severe bleeding
epileptic seizures
severe asthma attacks.
Appropriate personnel may include:
other rescuers
staff.
Accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues may include:
accepted preventative practice adopted throughout the aquatic industry to minimise safety hazards or risks to casualty, bystanders and rescuer
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia guidelines and code of conduct policies
the culture of lifesaving
current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
duty of care
working with children.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and care of lifesaving equipment
communication protocols
safety, rescue and emergency procedures
incident reporting.
Emergency response may include:
rescue equipment required
personnel involved
group control
risk management for self and others.
Strategies for group control may include:
removing facility users from danger
giving clear direction to other staff
dealing effectively with caregivers or friends of person in difficulty.
Factors may include:
number of casualties
rescue equipment
number and location of other staff.
Advanced water rescue may include:
spine-board
spinal immobilisation collar
oxygen supplemented resuscitation
oxygen therapy.
Rescue plan may include:
self-preservation
awareness of personal capabilities
available assistance
selection of rescue aids
nature of the area
priorities of rescue.
Involvement of others may include:
bystanders
trained or untrained staff.
Rescue equipment may include:
reaching aids
ropes
floatation aids
flippers
rescue tube
spine-board
spinal immobilisation collar
rescue board
oxygen resuscitation equipment.
First aid techniques and standards may include:
danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation routine
Australian Resuscitation Council Standards.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
identifies the signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water and determines possible contributing factors to enable prompt assessment and formulation of a suitable rescue plan
determines appropriate rescue types and participates as part of a team in rescues in the water that involve more than one casualty
demonstrates the use of spine-boards, spinal immobilisation collars, oxygen supplemented resuscitation and oxygen therapy on sufficient occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance
monitors, accurately assesses and treats casualties and communicates effectively with emergency services
accurately reports incidents and notifies other relevant personnel according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to an aquatic environment appropriate to the candidate's current or intended work role, such as a swimming pool or confined natural shallow water venue, to enable rescues to be demonstrated in the water
access to suitable participants to enable demonstration of advanced water rescue techniques
access to rescue and resuscitation equipment.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
demonstration of the performance of safe and effective advanced water rescues of multiple casualties as part of a team
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues and how they apply to safe and effective conduct of rescues
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing candidate's performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.