Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Signs and signals may include:
call for help
vertical body position
minimal or non-supportive leg action
vigorous arm movements
submerged or unconscious person.
Response may include:
type of rescue
number of people in difficulty
assistance
leaving existing role to assist
promptly organising a suitable replacement
contacting emergency services.
Aquatic emergency may include:
envenomation by aquatic animals
sudden unconsciousness
spinal injury
drowning
heart attack
severe bleeding
epileptic seizure
severe asthma attack.
Accepted best practice principles of aquatic rescues may include:
accepted preventative practice adopted throughout the aquatic industry to minimise safety hazards or risks to the casualty, bystanders and rescuer
guidelines and codes of conduct
Royal Life Saving Society Australia
Surf Life Saving Australia
national, state and territory or local government regulations and guidelines
the culture of lifesaving
current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety legislation
duty of care regulations
working with children requirements.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and care of lifesaving equipment
communication protocols
safety, rescue and emergency procedures
incident reporting.
Hazards may include:
slippery surfaces around pools
deep or shallow water
currents
strong wind
risk taking behaviour.
Risks may include:
imminent drowning
injury
hypothermia
cramps
choking
submersion or injury of rescuer.
Others may include:
bystanders
staff
other facility users
parents
emergency services.
Rescue plan may include:
self-preservation
available assistance
selection of rescue aids
number of people in difficulty
priorities of rescue
type of rescue.
Equipment may include:
flotation devices
ropes
reaching poles
pool safety equipment.
Basic water rescue must include:
non-swimming rescues:
reach rescue
rope throw rescue
throw a flotation aid
swimming rescues:
accompanied rescue
wade rescue
non-contact tow
contact tow
water search procedures
vice grip and extended arm roll-over techniques
defensive techniques including blocking, blocking with an aid, reverses
escape techniques including escape from front and rear grasps.
Treatment may include:
danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation routine
expired air resuscitation
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
injury, illness or shock related treatment.
Industry standards may include:
Australian Resuscitation Council standards
first aid techniques and standards.

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:
identifies the common signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water and promptly determines possible contributing factors and formulates a suitable rescue plan
performs all basic water rescue techniques in the water while maintaining own safety
monitors condition of affected person, applies appropriate treatment
recognises issues that arise during rescues and makes appropriate adjustments to ensure safety of self and others, according to organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation
accurately reports incidents and notifies other relevant personnel according to organisational policies and procedures.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure performance of all swimming and non-swimming basic rescues and performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
an aquatic environment appropriate to the candidate's current or intended work role, such as a swimming pool or confined natural shallow water venue
suitable participants to enable demonstration of water rescue techniques
CPR mannequins
equipment such as flotation devices, first aid facilities and equipment, ropes and reaching poles.
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:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of aquatic emergency situations and basic water rescues
direct observation of the candidate safely participating in and demonstrating swimming and non-swimming water rescues incorporating cardiopulmonary resuscitation
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing candidate's performance on the job.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.