Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:50 AM AWST
22/07/2026 10:50 AM 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.
Participate in an aquatic rescue operation
Participate in an aquatic rescue operation
Unit of competency
National Code
PUASAR013A
PUASAR013A
State Code
D5518
D5518
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/11/2012
Field of Education
080399 - Business And Management, N.e.c.
Original Release Date
06/11/2012
Nominal Hours
15
Description
This unit covers the competency required to participate in rescue operations as a member of an aquatic rescue team, including inland rivers, lakes, dams, surf zones and oceans. This unit underpins specialist rescue operations.Participation in a rescue operation may involve working with personnel who are trained appropriately to treat casualties including first aid officers, lifesavers, lifeguards, ambulance crew, doctors, nurses and paramedics.This unit replaces PUASAR009B Participate in an aquatic rescue operation.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare and respond to rescue
- 1.1 Operation and task information is obtained and discussed with team members.
- 1.2 Appropriate rescue equipment is identified and selected based on task information as directed by supervisor.
- 1.3 Personal protective equipment is selected based on the nature of the rescue operation.
- 1.4 Any further details of the nature of the rescue are received en route.
2. Participate in assessing the rescue scene
- 2.1 Hazards are identified on approach to rescue scene.
- 2.2 Methods for minimising hazards are discussed and agreed to by team members.
- 2.3 Hazards and environmental conditions are minimised or controlled.
- 2.4 Communication with other team members is maintained using appropriate techniques and terminology.
- 2.5 Health, safety and security procedures are correctly followed in accordance with organisational policy and relevant legislation.
- 2.6 Personal capabilities and limitations are recognised and referred to supervisor.
- 2.7 Need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment is reported to supervisor.
3. Perform rescue
- 3.1 Access to incident and/or casualties is gained using techniques and equipment in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 3.2 Rescue procedures are conducted in accordance with supervisor's instructions and organisational procedures.
- 3.3 Casualties are prepared for removal in accordance with organisational policy and procedures.
- 3.4 Casualties are extricated safely using appropriate equipment, rescue techniques and organisational procedures.
4. Conclude rescue operations
- 4.1 Equipment is recovered, cleaned and maintained to organisational standards and manufacturers' procedures, and is restored to maintain operational readiness.
- 4.2 Where identified, signs and symptoms of operational stress in self and others are reported to relevant personnel.
- 4.3 Operational debriefing is participated in and operational documentation is completed to organisational standards.
- 4.4 Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with organisational requirements.
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.
Rescue operations may include participation in:
Aquatic search and rescue
Bar rescue
Boating rescue
Cliff rescue
Open water sea rescue
River, lake or dam rescue
Surf rescue
Rescue equipment may include:
Boards
Flotation equipment
Hand tools
Life rafts
Lighting equipment
Rescue vessels
Ropes
Tubes
Winch
Personal protective equipment may include:
Appropriate protective clothing
Ear protection
Helmet
Infection protection
Personal floating devices
Reflective vests
Respiratory protection
Safety glasses
Safety gloves
Sun protection
Wetsuits
Hazards may include:
Adverse weather
Cliffs and rocks
Hazardous creatures
Hazardous materials
Insufficient light
Other craft and users
Pollution
Piers
Sandbanks, bars and rips
Sea conditions
Surf type
Environmental conditions may include:
Effects of weather
Sea, surf and ocean conditions
Shallow water, bars and rips
Tides
Communication techniques may include:
Non-verbal
Signs and signals
Touch
Verbal
Written
Operational documentation may include:
Incident reports
Legislation
Organisational policies and procedures
Hygiene precautions may include:
Avoiding contact with body fluids
Washing hands
Wearing appropriate protective clothing
Rescue operations may include participation in:
Aquatic search and rescue
Bar rescue
Boating rescue
Cliff rescue
Open water sea rescue
River, lake or dam rescue
Surf rescue
Rescue equipment may include:
Boards
Flotation equipment
Hand tools
Life rafts
Lighting equipment
Rescue vessels
Ropes
Tubes
Winch
Personal protective equipment may include:
Appropriate protective clothing
Ear protection
Helmet
Infection protection
Personal floating devices
Reflective vests
Respiratory protection
Safety glasses
Safety gloves
Sun protection
Wetsuits
Hazards may include:
Adverse weather
Cliffs and rocks
Hazardous creatures
Hazardous materials
Insufficient light
Other craft and users
Pollution
Piers
Sandbanks, bars and rips
Sea conditions
Surf type
Environmental conditions may include:
Effects of weather
Sea, surf and ocean conditions
Shallow water, bars and rips
Tides
Communication techniques may include:
Non-verbal
Signs and signals
Touch
Verbal
Written
Operational documentation may include:
Incident reports
Legislation
Organisational policies and procedures
Hygiene precautions may include:
Avoiding contact with body fluids
Washing hands
Wearing appropriate protective clothing
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:
apply safe work practices in rescue operations
use equipment in accordance with organisational procedures
respond and react to instructions in a safe, correct and timely manner
correctly select and wear personal protective equipment in accordance with organisational requirements
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated across a range of rescue operations over time to ensure identified situational variables are consistently achieved
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in a range of rescue operations while on the job or in a simulated environment and under a variety of weather conditions.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
rescue and personal protective equipment listed in the Range Statement
suitable environment necessary to conduct a range of rescue operations listed in the Range Statement
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed with the following unit/s:
PUATEA001B Work in a team.
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:
apply safe work practices in rescue operations
use equipment in accordance with organisational procedures
respond and react to instructions in a safe, correct and timely manner
correctly select and wear personal protective equipment in accordance with organisational requirements
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated across a range of rescue operations over time to ensure identified situational variables are consistently achieved
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in a range of rescue operations while on the job or in a simulated environment and under a variety of weather conditions.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
rescue and personal protective equipment listed in the Range Statement
suitable environment necessary to conduct a range of rescue operations listed in the Range Statement
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed with the following unit/s:
PUATEA001B Work in a team.
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
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2876 | PUASAR009B | Participate in an aquatic rescue operation | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAX81 | PUASAR013 | Participate in an aquatic rescue operation | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W958 | PUA21010 | Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) | Qualification |
| J197 | PUA21012 | Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) | Qualification |