Elements and Performance Criteria

Conditions under which this competency may be required include
operating during any rescue or response situation including specialist rescue
hazardous environmental conditions-adverse weather
after dark operations
difficult terrain
debris
traffic
time pressures
varying time frames-short term
sudden impacts
protracted response operations
limited access to equipment necessitating the use of improvised techniques

Equipment may include
first aid kit
personal protective equipment
stretchers including improvised

Details of incident obtained from
casualty
visual assessment of scene
others at scene

Maintaining personal safety may include
washing hands
using gloves

Caring manner may include
personal introduction and identification consistent with other priorities
showing empathy
communication with casualty
voice tone and volume
reassurance and gentle treatment all in a culturally appropriate manner

Hazards may include
bodily fluids
traffic
environmental hazards
downed wires
bystanders
drugs
sharps

First aid techniques and standards may include
Guidelines to Australian Resuscitation Council resuscitation standards
State and Territory regulations

Others may include
family
friends at scene

Appropriate action may include
protecting scene
isolating scene
relocating casualty

Reporting as appropriate may include
team leader
supervisor
medical personnel
paramedical personnel
emergency medical technician

Treatment includes
applying resuscitation techniques
controlling bleeding
managing fractures
managing soft tissue injuries
dressing burns and scalds

Qualified health care personnel may include
specialist personnel
medical personnel

Organisation's standards, policies, procedures and protocols may include
legislation relevant to the provision of emergency care
legislation relevant to the organisation
operational Standard Operating Procedures
operational performance standards

Reporting casualty's condition may include
need for confidentiality
status on arrival
treatment provided
history
observations made
changes in conditions
timeframes

Documentation may include
written reports
casualty details
approved forms
verbal report
personal notes

Moving casualty may include
individually or with assistance
observing decency in regard to culture
a range of manual handling techniques and lifts and carries

Processing documentation may include
providing reports to authorised personnel
filing reports
diary entries
logs

Critical aspects of evidence
Competency in this unit must be established through the practical demonstration of first aid skills, maintaining universal precautions and safety awareness.
Accurate documentation and a caring approach to injured persons during first aid activities are critical

Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite units: PUAFIR201A Prevent injury (Fire Specific)
Co-requisite units: Nil

Underpinning knowledge
occupational health and safety guidelines for lifting and carrying
systems of the body:
- respiratory
- skeletal
- digestive
- circulatory
- nervous
- urinary
- skin
causes and management of unconsciousness
priorities for life support in emergencies
including the DRABC (danger, response, airway, breathing
ventilation and circulation assessments) model
health department guidelines for personal hygiene
Australian Resuscitation Council resuscitation guidelines
applying resuscitation techniques
controlling bleeding
casualty assessment
principles of initial casualty management
management of fractures and soft tissue injuries
management of burns
personal level of responsibility
limitations
competency

Underpinning skills
remaining calm under time pressures and in difficult situations
communicating verbally with casualties and others
providing verbal reports to paramedical personnel
completing forms
writing reports
following procedures
working with others in a team situation

Resource implications
Access to first aid equipment used in general operations is essential

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

Context of assessment
Exercise or simulation, or a series of tasks are required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed either individually or as a member of a team. Written or verbal questions may be used as supporting evidence