Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:51 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:51 AM 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.
Perform cave rescues
Perform cave rescues
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCVE415A
SISOCVE415A
State Code
D6342
D6342
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Transition (Deleted)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
17/02/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
17/02/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to undertake rescues in caves and pits, as an individual or as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for cave rescue operation.
- 1.1. Obtain and analyse operation and task information.
- 1.2. Select rescue equipment based on incident information and check to ensure it is ready for use.
- 1.3. Select and fit personal protective equipment according to the nature of the cave rescue operation and organisational policies and procedures.
2. Assess and manage cave rescue.
- 2.1. Assess physical features of cave rescue scene before deploying rescue resources according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.2. Assess, minimise and control immediate hazards and risks to self and others.
- 2.3. Manage rescue to control access and maintain a safe and effective operational environment according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.4. Establish and maintain communication with other personnel on site.
- 2.5. Select and co-ordinate a rescue method suitable to the situation.
3. Determine location and condition of casualties.
- 3.1. Assess incident scene and use appropriate equipment to determine possible location of casualties.
- 3.2. Collect and report evidence of location within cave.
- 3.3. Ascertain the condition of casualties and or nature of entrapment, where possible.
4. Undertake cave rescue.
- 4.1. Obtain entry permission and obtain additional relevant information before entering cave according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.2. Monitor atmosphere according to relevant organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.3. Implement appropriate ventilation procedures and use respiratory protection in irrespirable atmospheres, where required according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.4. Employ appropriate techniques and equipment to access the casualty.
- 4.5. Negotiate obstacles and hazards and maintain communication with other personnel and casualty throughout the rescue process.
- 4.6. Treat located casualties in consultation with medical personnel, according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.7. Remove casualties safely according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.8. Take appropriate actions to preserve the incident scene, where possible.
5. Conclude rescue operations.
- 5.1. Recover, clean and service equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines.
- 5.2. Report signs and symptoms of operational stress, where required.
- 5.3. Evaluate rescue activity and identify improvements for future rescue experiences in a cave.
- 5.4. Complete operational documentation according to organisational policies and procedures.
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.
Rescue equipment may include:
ropes and tapes
tripods and edge management
harnesses
litters and stretchers
drag mats
hauling systems
communication systems
atmospheric monitoring equipment
compass, cave maps and surveys.
Personal protective equipment may include:
gloves
helmets
safety glasses
atmospheric monitoring equipment
self-contained breathing apparatus
air supply lines.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use, maintenance and storage of equipment
risk management
communication protocols
removal of casualties
ventilation procedures
minimal impact environmental and caving codes
Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines
code of ethics.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
Australian Standards for safe working in a confined space
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Hazards may include:
oxygen enrichment
oxygen deficiency
atmospheric contaminants
swift water
unstable surfaces
falls from heights or into depths.
Risks may include:
heat exhaustion or hypothermia
oxygen deficiency
injuries and illnesses.
Personnel may include:
agency support
on-site staff
emergency services workers
government authorities.
Evidence may include:
entry permit
permit to work
information received from bystanders
witnesses and emergency services personnel.
Remove casualties may include:
lifting
lowering
hauling
mechanical advantage systems.
Preserve the incident scene may include:
preservation of evidence and related legal requirements.
Documentation, including photographs, of the scene
Operational documentation may include:
entry permits
tally boards
entry control procedures
air monitoring procedures
equipment and rope logs
exposure records.
Rescue equipment may include:
ropes and tapes
tripods and edge management
harnesses
litters and stretchers
drag mats
hauling systems
communication systems
atmospheric monitoring equipment
compass, cave maps and surveys.
Personal protective equipment may include:
gloves
helmets
safety glasses
atmospheric monitoring equipment
self-contained breathing apparatus
air supply lines.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use, maintenance and storage of equipment
risk management
communication protocols
removal of casualties
ventilation procedures
minimal impact environmental and caving codes
Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines
code of ethics.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
Australian Standards for safe working in a confined space
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Hazards may include:
oxygen enrichment
oxygen deficiency
atmospheric contaminants
swift water
unstable surfaces
falls from heights or into depths.
Risks may include:
heat exhaustion or hypothermia
oxygen deficiency
injuries and illnesses.
Personnel may include:
agency support
on-site staff
emergency services workers
government authorities.
Evidence may include:
entry permit
permit to work
information received from bystanders
witnesses and emergency services personnel.
Remove casualties may include:
lifting
lowering
hauling
mechanical advantage systems.
Preserve the incident scene may include:
preservation of evidence and related legal requirements.
Documentation, including photographs, of the scene
Operational documentation may include:
entry permits
tally boards
entry control procedures
air monitoring procedures
equipment and rope logs
exposure records.
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:
analyses operation and task information and selects rescue and personal safety equipment according to the requirements of the cave rescue operation
assesses the incident scene to determine potential hazards and risks, and the condition and location of the casualty, to determine the most effective and efficient rescue method for the situation
monitors atmosphere quality in the cave and implements appropriate ventilation procedures and respiratory protection where required
communicates with other personnel and casualty throughout the rescue process and treats and removes casualties, according to level of responsibility
reflects on and evaluates rescue performance and completes operational documentation.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of rescues in caves that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
caves with a variety of rescue scenarios, potential hazards and risks, and a casualty to be rescued
personnel for team based rescues
caving, safety and rescue 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:
observation of assessing incident site for hazards and risks prior to performing rescue
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment types and characteristics and organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation to enable safe conduct of rescue activities
observation of identifying and assessing the location and condition of casualty prior to rescue
observation of performing safe and efficient rescue, including the treatment and removal of casualties according to situation and in consultation with other personnel
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOCVE409A Rig ladders in complex situations
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
analyses operation and task information and selects rescue and personal safety equipment according to the requirements of the cave rescue operation
assesses the incident scene to determine potential hazards and risks, and the condition and location of the casualty, to determine the most effective and efficient rescue method for the situation
monitors atmosphere quality in the cave and implements appropriate ventilation procedures and respiratory protection where required
communicates with other personnel and casualty throughout the rescue process and treats and removes casualties, according to level of responsibility
reflects on and evaluates rescue performance and completes operational documentation.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of rescues in caves that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
caves with a variety of rescue scenarios, potential hazards and risks, and a casualty to be rescued
personnel for team based rescues
caving, safety and rescue 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:
observation of assessing incident site for hazards and risks prior to performing rescue
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of equipment types and characteristics and organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation to enable safe conduct of rescue activities
observation of identifying and assessing the location and condition of casualty prior to rescue
observation of performing safe and efficient rescue, including the treatment and removal of casualties according to situation and in consultation with other personnel
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOCVE409A Rig ladders in complex situations
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |