Elements and Performance Criteria

Context
This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the helicopter escape system.

For your circumstances this may include:
helicopter simulators
beacons
life rafts
distress flares
life jackets
EPIRB.

Typical problems for your situation may include:
jammed or damaged survival equipment
personal injury or injury to others
trapped personnel
loose or damaged equipment
adverse weather conditions.

HSE
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Assessment context and methods
Assessment for this unit of competency will involve a helicopter simulator. 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.

Simulation should be based on actual helicopter ditchings and will include walk throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios, role plays and 3D virtual reality interactive systems. In the case of evacuation training or training for competencies practised in life threatening situations, simulation may be used for the bulk of the training.

This unit of competency requires an application of the knowledge contained in the use of the aircraft's survival systems and their integral equipment, to the level needed to maintain control and recognise and resolve problems. This can be assessed through questioning and the use of what if scenarios both on the facility (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

Critical aspects
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to safely get out of the helicopter following an incident at sea.

Resource implications
Assessment will require access to a suitable helicopter simulator. 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
It may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units and also:
PMAOHS215 - Apply offshore facility abandonment and sea survival procedures and practices.

Essential knowledge
The knowledge referred to in the evidence guide for this unit includes:
helicopter escape techniques
integral equipment functions to the level needed to act rationally and recognise and resolve problems
hazards boarding and departing from helicopters under normal and emergency situations
inverted and submerged helicopter escape techniques
life jacket operation
emergency equipment deployment techniques
life raft operation and deployment
rescue and recovery techniques
hypothermia prevention and reduction techniques (delaying and offsetting).