Elements and Performance Criteria

Context
First aid management will need to account for:
· workplace policies and procedures
· industry/site specific regulations, codes etc
· occupational health and safety requirements
· State and Territory workplace health and safety requirements
· allergies the casualty may have.

Hazards may include:
· workplace hazards - physical, chemical, biological
· environmental hazards
· proximity of other people
· hazards associated with the casualty management process
· faulty equipment
· oxygen leaks.

Risks may include:
· worksite equipment, machinery and substances
· first aid equipment (oxygen cylinders, defibrillator)
· environmental risks
· bodily fluids
· risk of further injury to the casualty
· risks associated with the proximity of other workers and bystanders.

Casualty's condition is managed for:
· abdominal injuries
· allergic reactions
· bleeding
· burns - thermal, chemical, friction, electrical
· cardiac conditions
· chemical contamination
· cold injuries
· crush injuries
· dislocations
· drowning
· envenomation - snake, spider, insect and marine bites
· environmental conditions such as hypothermia, dehydration, heat stroke
· epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions
· eye injuries
· fractures
· head injuries
· insect/marine bites
· minor skin injuries
· neck and spinal injuries
· needle stick injuries
· poisoning and toxic substances
· respiratory management of asthma and/or choking
· shock
· smoke inhalation
· soft tissue injuries including sprains, strains, dislocations
· substance abuse, illicit drugs
· unconsciousness including not breathing and no pulse.

First aid management may include:
· administration of analgesic gases
· cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
· infection control
· semi-automatic external defibrillator (SAED)
· expired air resuscitation (EAR).

First aid management will need to account for:
· location and nature of the workplace
· the environmental conditions, e.g. electricity, biological risks, weather, motor vehicle accidents
· location of emergency service personnel
· the use and availability of first aid equipment and resources
· infection control.

Medication may include:
· oxygen
· pain relief - paracetamol in accordance with State and Territory legislation, analgesics (penthrane, entonox - used in mining industry)
· asthma - aerosol bronchodilators: casualty's own or from first aid kit in accordance with State and Territory legislation
· severe allergic reactions - adrenaline: subject to casualty's own regime
· heart attack - aspirin.

Resources and equipment are used appropriate to the risk to be met and may include:
· blood pressure cuff
· oxygen resuscitation/cylinders
· defibrillation units
· pressure bandages
· thermometers
· injections
· backboards
· stretchers
· soft bag resuscitator
· first aid kits
· eyewash
· thermal blankets
· pocket face masks
· rubber gloves
· dressing
· spacer device
· cervical collars
· resuscitation ancillary devices
· operator powered ventilation systems
· resuscitation - bag
· valve or mask.

Communication systems may include but not be limited to:
· mobile phones
· satellite phones
· HF/VHF radio
· flags
· flares
· two way radio
· email
· electronic equipment.

Documentation may include:
· time
· fluid intake/output
· blood
· vomit
· faeces
· urine
· administration of medication including: time, date, person administering, dose
· vital signs.

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

Assessment context and methods
· Assessment for this unit of competency will be by simulation of the application of advanced first aid to simulated injuries/illnesses. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.
· Assessment will occur over a range of situations that will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
· Simulations must, as closely as possible, approximate actual incident conditions and should be based on the actual facility. Assessments should include 'walk throughs' of the relevant competency components and may include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.
· This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both in the facility (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the site.

Critical aspects
Competence may be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a first aid team. In particular look to see that:
· incident responses are in accordance with organisation procedures
· correct incident response equipment (where required) is used appropriately
· the safety and/or successful recovery of the individual and others affected by the incident response is afforded priority in the actions taken
· actions taken do not inhibit incident response effectiveness or further contribute to the incident
· appropriate documentation including reports, journal entries, logs and/or clearances are completed in accordance with procedures

Resource implications
Assessment will require (1) access to an accurately simulated environment in the absence of an on-site incident environment, or (2) a suitable method of gathering evidence of responding ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Other assessment advice
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

In a major hazard facility, it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with:
· PMAOHS300 - Implement and monitor OHS policies and procedures
· PMAENV300 - Implement and monitor environmental policies.

Essential knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of basic life support measures sufficient to recognise emergency situations and then determine appropriate action within the scope of their responsibilities and competencies.

The following knowledge should be demonstrated in assessment:
· occupational health and safety legislation and regulations
· legal responsibilities and duty of care
· basic anatomy and physiology
· respiratory/circulatory system
· how to gain access to and interpret material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
· company standard operating procedures (SOPs)
· debriefing counselling procedures
· dealing with social problems and confidentiality
· capabilities of emergency management services
· knowledge of the first aiders' skills and limitations.

The specific injuries/illnesses managed should be identified according to the workplace/environmental needs of the workplace and the range of variables listed in this unit.

Evidence should demonstrate the following skills:
· resuscitation
· the use of semi automated defibrillator
· delivery of oxygen
· demonstration of first aid principles
· adequate infection control procedures
· safe manual handling
· consideration of the welfare of the casualty
· initial casualty assessment
· report preparation
· communication skills
· incident management skills
· ability to interpret and use listed documents.

Underpinning knowledge and skills:
· basic anatomy - skeleton, muscles, joints, bones
· basic physiology
· basic toxicology
· transport techniques
· assertiveness skills
· communication skills
· leadership
· decision making
· legal requirements
· duty of care
· infection control
· resuscitation
· bleeding control
· airway management
· respiratory system lungs and air passages
· importance of oxygen to the body
· causes of hypoxia and hypoxic hypoxia
· the mechanism of respiration and possible causes of hypoventilation
· lower airways diseases
· disease and chronic airways lesions (COAD/CAL)
· management of COAD/CAL casualties
· estimation of duration of oxygen supply
· resuscitation and kits-specifications
· principles of operation and troubleshooting
· techniques for maintenance of unobstructed airway
· Australian Resuscitation Council standards
· Australian Standards relevant to resuscitation equipment
· care of unconscious
· State and Territory regulatory requirements relating to currency of skill and knowledge.