Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 4:17 PM AWST
23/07/2026 4:17 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Undertake beach safety management activities
Undertake beach safety management activities
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAOPE027A
PUAOPE027A
State Code
D5515
D5515
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/08/2011
Field of Education
080399 - Business And Management, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
18/08/2011
Nominal Hours
24
Description
This unit covers the competency required to coordinate beach surveillance and rescue as a part of a structured service.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for beach surveillance and rescue
- 1.1 Duty information is obtained.
- 1.2 Beach information and weather forecasts are accessed and likely conditions are considered.
- 1.3 Availability of appropriately skilled personnel is ensured to meet likely conditions and organisational requirements.
- 1.4 Pre-use check of equipment is completed in accordance with organisational procedures.
2. Undertake preventative actions
- 2.1 Beach and surf conditions are evaluated.
- 2.2 Safest swimming location is determined and signage is erected in accordance with Australian Standards.
- 2.3 Equipment availability is ensured and appropriately located to meet likely need and organisational requirements.
- 2.4 Operational command is notified of availability for duty.
- 2.5 Public is proactively engaged to inform them of hazards.
3. Respond to casualties in distress
- 3.1 Casualties in distress are identified and/or information about casualties in distress is received from team members.
- 3.2 Incident details are gathered and risk assessment of casualties and incident is undertaken.
- 3.3 Appropriate rescue method is determined and appropriate rescue equipment is chosen as a result of this risk assessment.
- 3.4 Operational command is notified of rescue situation and continuous updates are provided as required.
- 3.5 Casualty rescue is undertaken or team member is directed to undertake casualty rescue.
- 3.6 Casualty management is coordinated.
- 3.7 Liaison is undertaken with emergency services as required.
- 3.8 Completion of casualty handover to ambulance personnel is ensured.
4. Complete beach surveillance and rescue recovery requirements
- 4.1 Operational command is notified of end of service provision.
- 4.2 Equipment is returned to storage and post-operational checks and maintenance are completed.
- 4.3 Personnel are debriefed as required.
- 4.4 Organisational documentation is completed as required.
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Duty information may include:
Hours of operations
Number of personnel available
Providing a lifesaving/lifeguard patrol service at one or multiple locations
Type of service provided
Beach information and weather forecasts may include:
Australian Beach Safety and Management Program (ABSAMP) rating
Local knowledge
Bureau of Meteorology reports and weather warnings
Tide times
Likely conditions may include:
Estimated beach attendance
Littoral currents (side sweeps)
Rip currents
Sandbars
Surf size
Temperature
Wave types and associated hazards
Appropriately skilled personnel may include:
Self
Qualified according to organisational requirements
Team members
Organisational requirements may include:
Standard operating procedures
Service agreements
Equipment may include:
Automated External Defibrillator
First Aid Kit
Inflatable rescue boat (IRB)
Oxygen Resuscitation Kit
Personal water craft (PWC)
Radios
Rescue board
Rescue tube
Signage
Spinal board
Beach and surf conditions may include:
Choppy/calm water
Rip currents
Surf size
Wave types
Appropriately locating equipment to meet likely need may include:
Locating rescue equipment at start of rip
Making first aid equipment available at central location
Situating rescue powercaft in a location clear of swimmers for safe launching
Operational command may include:
Local supervisor
Remote communications centre
Engaging the public proactively may include:
Directing bathing public back to safe swimming area through use of gestures
Explaining safest swimming location and hazards to beach going public
Making public announcements using address system/load hailer
Casualty rescue includes:
Negotiating the surf to reach the casualty
Securing the casualty
Returning the casualty to shore
Providing first aid
And may include use of:
IRB
no equipment
PWC
rescue board
rescue tube
Duty information may include:
Hours of operations
Number of personnel available
Providing a lifesaving/lifeguard patrol service at one or multiple locations
Type of service provided
Beach information and weather forecasts may include:
Australian Beach Safety and Management Program (ABSAMP) rating
Local knowledge
Bureau of Meteorology reports and weather warnings
Tide times
Likely conditions may include:
Estimated beach attendance
Littoral currents (side sweeps)
Rip currents
Sandbars
Surf size
Temperature
Wave types and associated hazards
Appropriately skilled personnel may include:
Self
Qualified according to organisational requirements
Team members
Organisational requirements may include:
Standard operating procedures
Service agreements
Equipment may include:
Automated External Defibrillator
First Aid Kit
Inflatable rescue boat (IRB)
Oxygen Resuscitation Kit
Personal water craft (PWC)
Radios
Rescue board
Rescue tube
Signage
Spinal board
Beach and surf conditions may include:
Choppy/calm water
Rip currents
Surf size
Wave types
Appropriately locating equipment to meet likely need may include:
Locating rescue equipment at start of rip
Making first aid equipment available at central location
Situating rescue powercaft in a location clear of swimmers for safe launching
Operational command may include:
Local supervisor
Remote communications centre
Engaging the public proactively may include:
Directing bathing public back to safe swimming area through use of gestures
Explaining safest swimming location and hazards to beach going public
Making public announcements using address system/load hailer
Casualty rescue includes:
Negotiating the surf to reach the casualty
Securing the casualty
Returning the casualty to shore
Providing first aid
And may include use of:
IRB
no equipment
PWC
rescue board
rescue tube
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 for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
assess beach conditions
plan safest swimming location
coordinate a rescue situation
set up for beach surveillance and appropriately locate signage and equipment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated reviewing a range of beaches or range of conditions at the same beach.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed during patrolling activities or as a part of structured beach set-up and surveillance scenario.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
rescue equipment
patrol personnel
range of beaches with varying conditions
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
assess beach conditions
plan safest swimming location
coordinate a rescue situation
set up for beach surveillance and appropriately locate signage and equipment
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated reviewing a range of beaches or range of conditions at the same beach.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed during patrolling activities or as a part of structured beach set-up and surveillance scenario.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
rescue equipment
patrol personnel
range of beaches with varying conditions
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAX87 | PUAOPE027 | Undertake beach safety management activities | Unit of competency |
