Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

1. Prepare for search and rescue.

1.1. Assess the situation  and identify potential hazards and risks to self and others.

1.2. Identify a search and or rescue method suitable to the situation according to contextual issues , relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.3. Select equipment and resources required to perform identified search and rescue according to the situation.

1.4. Define the possible and probable search areas according to available information .

1.5. Develop a response plan and communicate to relevant persons.

2. Carry out a search.

2.1. Establish communication processes and promulgate contingency plans to all involved.

2.2. Conduct search methodically, using appropriate search techniques  according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

3. Carry out a rescue.

3.1. Apply rescue techniques  according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

3.2. Negotiate or avoid hazards and risks safely according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

3.3. Determine ambulatory status of an injured person and construct an emergency evacuation structure  as required resources.

3.4. Monitor the injured person's condition and record actions taken according to organisational policies and procedures.

3.5. Assess situation to determine need for self evacuation or external assistance.

3.6. Minimise risk of further injury to injured person, according to organisational policies and procedures.

3.7. Advise party members to refer media enquiries to a nominated spokesperson, where required.

4. Seek outside assistance.

4.1. Identify situations requiring outside assistance.

4.2. Identify search groups and agencies  and initiate the steps to alert them.

4.3. Implement procedures for handing over a search and rescue to relevant authorities and agencies according to organisational policies and procedures.

5. Evaluate search and rescue.

5.1. Evaluate relevant aspects  of the search and rescue.

5.2. Identify improvements for future search and rescue situations.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• problem-solving skills to:

• determine the most appropriate search and rescue methods to use according to the situation
• anticipate and mitigate hazards and risks associated with search and rescue
• decide whether to locate and evacuate or call for assistance
• determine injured person's ambulatory status

• planning and organising skills to:

• select equipment and resources suitable to situation
• implement search and rescue techniques according to situation
• constantly monitor injured person

• communication skills to:

• outline response and contingency plans to relevant party members
• inform progress and interact with other team members
• refer media enquiries to appropriate person
• alert authorities, search groups and agencies where outside assistance is required

• literacy and numeracy skills to:

• document relevant information
• record actions taken
• develop response and contingency plans

• teamwork skills to assist with the transportation of injured party members
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of activities
• search and rescue equipment and resource types to enable appropriate selection and use
• hazards and risks associated with search and rescue situations and how to safely negotiate or avoid these
• search and rescue techniques and procedures suitable to the situation and experience of the participant to enable prompt assistance
• communication systems to make intentions clear and update progress
• outside authorities, search groups and agencies in the local area to alert and hand over searches and rescues beyond personal ability
• first aid and monitoring procedures appropriate to location and level of responsibility.

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:

• assesses situation to identify potential hazards and risks, and determines efficient search and rescue procedures for lost and or injured person or party
• communicates response and contingency plans to other team members, and adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise during search and rescue situations to ensure safety of self and group
• seeks assistance from outside authorities, search groups and agencies in situations beyond own control and responsibility
• evaluates and reflects on own search and rescue performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure application of search and rescue techniques relevant to the candidate's current or intended work environment on multiple occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• a suitable outdoor environment, within the context of an outdoor activity, to conduct real or simulated searches and rescues
• search and rescue, safety, first aid and activity-specific equipment and resources
• personnel to participate in search and rescue exercises.

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:

• observation of performing a range of safe and efficient search and rescue techniques, suitable to the situation
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of potential hazards and risks associated with search and rescue exercises
• observation of communicating with rescue team, injured and or lost person or party members, and outside authorities, search groups and agencies
• portfolio of response and contingency plans, and any relevant documentation
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, for example:

• SISXEMR201A Respond to emergency situations
• SISXEMR402A Coordinate emergency response.

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.

Situation  may include:

• lost person or persons
• injured person or party member requiring evacuation.

Contextual issues  may include:

• weather conditions, including time
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• time frame for survival
• weather and topography
• time factors and degree of urgency
• physical and human resources
• level of consciousness of person or persons
• capacity of the missing person or party
• size of search area.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations
• marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• risk management
• communication protocols
• record keeping and documentation
• removal and transportation of injured party members
• procedures for dealing with the media
• processes for handing over a search and rescue to relevant authorities and agencies
• access to medical personnel.

Available information  may include:

• physical capabilities and condition of lost or injured person or persons
• weather conditions
• expected speed of travel.

Search techniques  may include:

• point last seen
• hasty search
• track or ridge scan
• line searching
• spiral and sweep searches.

Rescue techniques  may include:

• hand line
• support techniques
• flotation aids.

Emergency evacuation structure  may include:

• stretchers
• sleds.

Search groups and agencies  may include:

• Police Search and Rescue
• State Emergency Service
• Ski Patrol
• Volunteer rescue agencies.

Relevant aspects  may include:

• objectives
• planning process
• activity site
• weather
• equipment selection
• clothing selection
• food selection
• instructional content
• instructional technique
• assessment technique
• group feedback
• directing techniques
• rescue techniques employed.