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. 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.
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
correct marketing names and labelling
safety at sea
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate clothing and safety equipment for use with waders
appropriate workplace provision of first aid
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, use of waders and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts.
Types of waders include:
neoprene waders
PVC waders
waders with and without bibs.
Environmental hazards may include:
bottom composition
changing bottom characteristics over time
cold air temperature, including wind chill factor
cold water
floating debris and equipment
sudden changes in water depth or bottom composition
underwater obstructions and snags
water clarity
water depth
water movement (e.g. currents, tides and flow)
wave action.
Factors contributing to aquatic emergencies may include:
condition of casualty
consumption of alcohol or use of prescription or other drugs that might affect performance
environmental conditions
equipment failure
risk taking behaviour
slippery surfaces
swimming ability
vessel instability or capsize.
Sudden immersion in cold water may result in:
changes in blood circulation and pressure
gasp reflex and hyperventilation, including reduced breath-holding capacity
heart attack
hypothermia
impaired physical performance
Mammalian Diving Reflex
stroke.
Types of aquatic emergencies may include:
bleeding wound
cramping
flooding of waders
injury
insect or aquatic organism bite or sting
loss of footing
medical emergency (e.g. heart attack, stroke and asthma)
weak or non-swimmer in difficulty
temperature related illness
unexpected immersion.
Factors that influence cold water survival time include:
body composition and size
buoyancy aids
clothing
duration of immersion
heat escape lessening techniques
level and type of physical activity
sea or water conditions
water temperature
wind chill.
Appropriate clothing and safety equipment may include:
hat
helmet
jacket
non-slip footwear
personal flotation device (PFD)
thermal or woollen wear
wide belt to assist trapping of air.
Entry techniques may include:
wade into water of shallow depth
slide into water of unknown depth and obstructions
step into water of known depth without obstructions
dive into clear water of known depth without obstructions.
Wading techniques include:
adjustment of equipment to prevent water ingress
feeling with feet when wading in turbid water
leaning against water when wading
maintaining a safe working depth.
Wader safety tuck position includes:
appropriate orientation for safe movement through water
positioning on back
sculling for efficient propulsion
tucking legs to trap air in waders.
Survival techniques include:
heat escape lessening techniques, including Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP) and huddle
in-water removal of clothing and waders to achieve exit
sculling and tread water techniques
use of a belt to assist trapping of air in waders
use of buoyant objects, including PFD.
Techniques to extend survival time include:
energy conservation
HELP and huddle techniques
retention of clothing in cold water
use of buoyant aids
use of thermal protective clothing.
Survival strokes may include
head and feet first sculling
kicking on back
underwater recovery arm action on front or back.
A person in need of assistance may include:
injured swimmer
non-swimmer
unconscious person
weak or tired swimmer.
A rescue plan may include:
availability of assistance
availability of rescue aids
awareness of personal capabilities
condition of person in difficulty
environmental factors
rescue priorities in the situation of more than one person in need of assistance
self-preservation.
Best practice principles of water safety may include:
guidelines and techniques published by water safety organisations, such as the Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Surf Life Saving Association Australia
relevant legislation
workplace procedures and guidelines.
Search techniques include:
wading individually or in formation with others
marking search area
use of systematic search pattern appropriate to water depth and turbidity
feeling with a stick or feet in turbid water.
Simple rescue techniques may include:
dry rescues:
reach rescue using pole, boat hook, paddle or other object
rope throw rescue using weighted and unweighted rope
throwing of a buoyant object, such as PFDs, lifebuoy or improvised aid
use of watercraft
in-water rescues:
accompanied swim rescue
wade rescue
talking the casualty to safety.
First aid and after-care may include:
hospitalisation in the case of near-drowning
protection against environmental conditions with particular attention to hypothermia
treatment according to current first aid guidelines.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
identify factors that contribute to an aquatic emergency
minimise risks associated with use of waders in a natural environment
dress appropriately and prepare waders for use in the workplace
enter water safely whilst wearing waders as an individual and in a group
respond appropriately to a situation where footing is lost or unexpected deep water encountered
manage an individual and group cold water survival situation wearing waders
correctly identify a casualty requiring assistance and perform a rescue that minimises risk to self and others
assess the condition of a casualty and provide first aid and after-care consistent with current guidelines
accurately report incident and notify other relevant personnel according to legislative, regulatory and organisation requirements.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
factors that influence survival time in water
hazards and risks associated with use of waders
principles of individual and group survival in aquatic emergencies
water rescue techniques.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency must be assessed in the context of marine or freshwater workplaces in which waders are used. For valid and reliable assessment there must be access to water of varying depths, including water too deep to stand up in. The environment should be safe, with simulation of the hazards and circumstances likely to be encountered in a real workplace, such as the simulation of waves or tidal affects.

The following resources must be available at assessment:
a real or simulated aquatic work environment
bucket, container or similar object that can be used to assist flotation
buoyant equipment
PFDs
poles or boat hook or other equipment used to reach someone in difficulty
ropes
rules, policies and regulations of relevant peak bodies and/or employer organisations
safety and rescue equipment normally used in the workplace
suitable clothing normally worn under or with waders
waders
wide adjustable belt, such as a diver's webbing belt with quick release buckle.
Method of assessment
This unit must be assessed with candidates wearing the type of clothing, including waders that will be worn in the workplace and with access to the type of equipment that is likely to be used in survival and rescue situations. Competency must be assessed in water that is shallow enough to stand in before candidate is assessed in deeper water.

The following assessment methods are suggested:
consideration of required attitude to safety
demonstration of processes and procedures
oral and/or written questioning on required knowledge and application of required skills
performance of survival and rescue tasks.
Guidance information for assessment
This competency should be assessed independently of other units, and before candidate undertakes work in waders.