Elements and Performance Criteria

Types of breathing apparatus must include
open circuit
and may also include
airline equipment
escape sets

Types of irrespirable atmospheres must include
heated atmospheres
asphyxiating atmosphere (oxygen deficient)
(non-skin absorption) toxic or poisonous atmosphere
smoke or suspended particles/fibres in atmosphere

Pre-use tests and checks must include
serviceability of components
integrity of components
cylinder pressure
integrity of air flow system
ancillary equipment

Breathing apparatus control equipment must include
control boards
breathing apparatus set tallies
entry control officer identification
guideline and branch line tallies
procedures
personal lines

Breathing apparatus control must include
principles of BA Control
organisation's procedures
Stage 1 (one entry point)
Stage 2 (multiple entry points)
entry/exit control point
entry/exit control officer
timing device

Entrapment procedures may include
cease all strenuous activity
activate the distress signal unit
remain calm
relocate to safest available place
call for assistance

Communications must include
distress signal unit
portable radio
and may also include
communications sets
signal lines
hand signals

Hazards must include
fire
failure to maintain a face seal
exhaustion of air supply
malfunction of equipment
disorientation in smoke/darkness or confinement
structural hazards and/or hazardous materials
entrapment

Critical aspects of evidence
It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in accordance with AS/NZ 1715-1716:
appropriate conduct of pre-donning tests
correct donning of breathing apparatus
operation of breathing apparatus
movement in conditions or reduced visibility
breathing apparatus emergency procedures
organisation's procedures are followed
correct removal of breathing apparatus
return of breathing apparatus to operational status

Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite units:
PUAFIR201A Prevent injury
Co-requisite units:
Nil

Underpinning knowledge
respiratory system, effects of irrespirable atmospheres on the body, protective equipment
characteristics, component parts, operation of compressed air breathing apparatus
operational testing, standard operating procedures and safe work practices when wearing breathing apparatus
operating breathing apparatus
use of the Distress Signal Unit
use of the breathing apparatus control equipment
use of procedures, personal lines and tallies

Underpinning skills
Inspecting, donning, operating in, removal, cleaning, maintaining and returning to operational status of breathing apparatus

Resource implications
access to a range of controlled or simulated scenarios
Breathing Apparatus and associated equipment

Consistency of performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments.

Context of assessment
A combination of oral or written presentations, observations, on the job and/or in a range of simulated environments.