Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.


Contextualisation to address specific requirements may include:
Focus on first aid management of specific types of injury
First aid provision under specific constraints or circumstances (eg. in confined spaces, in maritime work environment or in work environment involving identified risks/hazards)


First aid management must take into account:
Workplace policies and procedures
Industry/site specific regulations, codes etc.
OHS requirements
State and territory workplace health and safety requirements


A hazard is:
A source or situation with the potential for harm in terms of human injury or ill-health, damage to property, the environment, or a combination of these


An AED is:
Automatic External Defibrillator
Semi-automatic External Defibrillator


Hazards may include:
Physical hazards
Biological hazards
Chemical hazards
Hazards associated with manual handling


Risks may include:
Risks from worksite equipment, machinery and substances
Risks from first aid equipment (oxygen cylinders, AED)
Environmental risks
Exposure to blood and other body substances
Risk of further injury to the casualty
Risks associated with the proximity of other workers and bystanders
Risks from vehicles
Fallen power lines, step and touch potential


Casualty's condition is managed for:
Sudden cardiac arrest
Collapse/unconsciousness
Foreign body airway obstruction
No signs of life
Respiratory distress
Shock
Hypoxia


First aid management skills must include in accordance with ARC Guidelines, state/territory regulations, legislation and policies and industry requirements:
CPR
Infection control
AED
Oxygen administration


First aid management must account for:
Location and nature of the workplace
Environmental conditions e.g. electricity (high or low voltage), biological risks, weather, motor vehicle accidents
Location of emergency services personnel
Number of casualties and potential casualties
Use and availability of first aid equipment, resources and pharmaceuticals
Types of dangers/risks to the casualty and any others in the vicinity of the situation
Confined spaces, subject to industry need


Resources and equipment are used appropriate to the risk to be met and may include:
Oxygen therapy equipment (e.g. masks, cannulae and tubing) and cylinders
Bag valve mask resuscitation device
AED
First aid kit
Resuscitation mask or barrier device
Mechanical and oxygen powered suction device
Oropharyngeal airway
Gloves
Razor
Shears
Cleaning wipes or towels


Information to be documented may include:
Time
Location
Description of condition of patient
First aid management
Administration of medication including:
time
date
person administering
dose

Number of electrical shocks attempted
Vital signs


Established first aid principles include:
Checking the site for danger to self, the casualty and others and minimising the danger
Checking and maintaining the casualty's airway, breathing and circulation

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 of assessment:
Assessment must include demonstrated evidence of specified Essential Knowledge and Essential Skills identified in this competency unit
Competence should be demonstrated working individually and, where appropriate, as part of a first aid team
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of situations relevant to the workplace or community setting
Currency of first aid knowledge and skills is to be demonstrated in line with State/Territory regulations, legislation and policies, ARC and industry guidelines


Method of assessment may include:
Skills in performing advanced resuscitation procedures are to be assessed through demonstration, with questioning to confirm essential knowledge
Skills are to be assessed through simulations, using anatomical models, manikins or in a high fidelity simulation centre
For assessment purposes, demonstration of skills in CPR procedures require using a model of the human body (resuscitation manikin) in line with ARC Guidelines


Access and equity considerations:
All participants undertaking this unit should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work or involvement
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities