Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:47 AM AWST

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Apply search and rescue skills

Apply search and rescue skills

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOOPS407A
State Code
D6434
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply preliminary search and rescue techniques and determine the need for outside assistance in situations where persons are lost or injured.This unit covers the skills and knowledge required for generic search and rescue in an outdoor environment. This unit does not cover the technical rescue skills required in white water or vertical contexts. These contexts are covered by the units:SISOWWR301A Demonstrate self rescue skills in white waterSISOWWR302A Perform white water rescues and recoveriesSISOWWR403A Perform complex white water rescues and recoveriesSISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescuesSISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescues
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for search and rescue.
  • 1.1. Assess the situation and identify potential hazards and risks to self and others.
  • 1.2. Identify a search and or rescue method suitable to the situation according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.3. Select equipment and resources required to perform identified search and rescue according to the situation.
  • 1.4. Define the possible and probable search areas according to available information.
  • 1.5. Develop a response plan and communicate to relevant persons.
2. Carry out a search.
  • 2.1. Establish communication processes and promulgate contingency plans to all involved.
  • 2.2. Conduct search methodically, using appropriate search techniques according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
3. Carry out a rescue.
  • 3.1. Apply rescue techniques according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 3.2. Negotiate or avoid hazards and risks safely according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 3.3. Determine ambulatory status of an injured person and construct an emergency evacuation structure as required resources.
  • 3.4. Monitor the injured person's condition and record actions taken according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 3.5. Assess situation to determine need for self evacuation or external assistance.
  • 3.6. Minimise risk of further injury to injured person, according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 3.7. Advise party members to refer media enquiries to a nominated spokesperson, where required.
4. Seek outside assistance.
  • 4.1. Identify situations requiring outside assistance.
  • 4.2. Identify search groups and agencies and initiate the steps to alert them.
  • 4.3. Implement procedures for handing over a search and rescue to relevant authorities and agencies according to organisational policies and procedures.
5. Evaluate search and rescue.
  • 5.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the search and rescue.
  • 5.2. Identify improvements for future search and rescue situations.
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.
Situation may include:
lost person or persons
injured person or party member requiring evacuation.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including time
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
time frame for survival
weather and topography
time factors and degree of urgency
physical and human resources
level of consciousness of person or persons
capacity of the missing person or party
size of search area.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
marine regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety
risk management
communication protocols
record keeping and documentation
removal and transportation of injured party members
procedures for dealing with the media
processes for handing over a search and rescue to relevant authorities and agencies
access to medical personnel.
Available information may include:
physical capabilities and condition of lost or injured person or persons
weather conditions
expected speed of travel.
Search techniques may include:
point last seen
hasty search
track or ridge scan
line searching
spiral and sweep searches.
Rescue techniques may include:
hand line
support techniques
flotation aids.
Emergency evacuation structure may include:
stretchers
sleds.
Search groups and agencies may include:
Police Search and Rescue
State Emergency Service
Ski Patrol
Volunteer rescue agencies.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
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
Evidence of the following is essential:
assesses situation to identify potential hazards and risks, and determines efficient search and rescue procedures for lost and or injured person or party
communicates response and contingency plans to other team members, and adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise during search and rescue situations to ensure safety of self and group
seeks assistance from outside authorities, search groups and agencies in situations beyond own control and responsibility
evaluates and reflects on own search and rescue performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure application of search and rescue techniques relevant to the candidate's current or intended work environment on multiple occasions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable outdoor environment, within the context of an outdoor activity, to conduct real or simulated searches and rescues
search and rescue, safety, first aid and activity-specific equipment and resources
personnel to participate in search and rescue exercises.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of performing a range of safe and efficient search and rescue techniques, suitable to the situation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of potential hazards and risks associated with search and rescue exercises
observation of communicating with rescue team, injured and or lost person or party members, and outside authorities, search groups and agencies
portfolio of response and contingency plans, and any relevant documentation
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, for example:
SISXEMR201A Respond to emergency situations
SISXEMR402A Coordinate emergency response.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6241 SROOPS005B Apply search and rescue skills Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBE99 SISORSC001 Conduct search and rescue Unit of competency