Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:20 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.

Administer oxygen in an emergency situation

Administer oxygen in an emergency situation

Unit of competency
National Code
PUAEME003C
State Code
D3650
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
17/08/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
17/02/2014
Field of Education
069905 - Paramedical Studies
Original Release Date
17/02/2014
Nominal Hours
15
Description
This unit covers competency in advanced techniques for management of the administration of oxygen and ventilation of the lungs in line with the requirements of the Australian Resuscitation Council and State and Territory regulatory bodies. Expired air resuscitation is covered in the Pre-requisite unit Provide emergency care.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess casualty and develop management plan
  • 1.1 Assessment of casualty is undertaken including vital signs, details of incident, medical/casualty history, physical appearance and other signs and symptoms.
  • 1.2 Management plan is developed taking into account available equipment, condition of patient and special requirements of certain conditions.
  • 1.3 Where possible casualty is assisted to a comfortable position suitable for implementation of management plan.
  • 1.4 Casualty is encouraged and reassured as necessary to facilitate effective treatment.
  • 1.5 Medical aid is arranged as soon as possible consistent with maintaining casualty safety.
2. Check equipment
  • 2.1 Pre-use check of safety and potential effectiveness of equipment is undertaken in accordance with operating procedures, Australian standards and regulatory requirements.
  • 2.2 Minor faults are diagnosed and repairs are carried out in accordance with organisation procedures to restore equipment to working order.
  • 2.3 Faults and defects are reported/recorded according to organisational procedures.
3. Maintain unobstructed airway
  • 3.1 Airway is cleared and maintained using non-intervention techniques where possible.
  • 3.2 Appropriate steps are taken to reduce risk to self or others of contamination by the casualty's body fluids.
  • 3.3 Where carried, suction apparatus is safely inserted into pharynx and suction initiated using approved techniques to avoid injuring casualty.
4. Resuscitate casualty
  • 4.1 Where appropriate face masks and other barriers are used according to ARC standards.
5. Use oxygen to provide therapy
  • 5.1 Where indicated, oxygen therapy is used in the ventilation of casualty.
6. Recover and restore equipment
  • 6.1 Equipment is cleaned, and discarded or disinfected, restocked and/or replenished and stored safely according to organisation procedures.
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.
Pre-use check may include:
checking existence of suitable prominent warnings about precautions to be observed
checking for damage
to replenish and/or restore
Regulatory requirements may include:
Australian Resuscitation Council
relevant State and Territory regulatory bodies
Reporting/recording faults and damage may include:
verbal
filling out and processing standard form
Inserted into pharynx:
no further than the back teeth
Barriers may include:
facemasks
unidirectional valves
bidirectional valves
filters
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Use of oxygen equipment in accordance with relevant standards and guidelines.

Consistency in performance
Evidence will need to be gathered over time across a range of variables.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
On the job or in a simulated work environment
Specific resources for assessment
determining oxygen pressure and volume content of cylinders
reading oxygen content gauges
use of resuscitation equipment
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAZ38 PUAEME003 Administer oxygen in an emergency Unit of competency