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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Operation and task information may include:
access and egress routes
command, control and coordination arrangements
location
magnitude and type of incident
number and type of casualties
other organisations
potential hazards
weather conditions and forecasts
Safety briefing may include:
appropriate PPE
care for other team members
changing light
fatigue management
identified hazards and risks
resupply
risks
situational awareness
own limitations
weather
Incident information may include:
access and egress routes
command, control and co-ordination arrangements
emergency rendezvous points
number, nature and description of persons or objects that are the focus of the search
operating area
potential hazards
terrain and environmental information
time constraints
weather forecast
Personal equipment may include:
food
notebook and pencil
overnight sleeping equipment
personal first aid equipment
personal hygiene items
PPE, especially wet weather gear, cold weather clothing, sun protection
water
Search operations may include:
operations are normally conducted in support of the police
searching for missing persons, objects or evidence
searching, most commonly, on foot - although searches may be undertaken from vehicles or on horseback, skis and snowshoes
Equipment may include:
boundary marking tapes
compass or other positioning equipment
map
radio communications equipment
Terrain may include:
forests
grassland
sand
snow
steep rock areas
urban areas
Conditions may include:
hazardous environmental conditions including:
adverse weather
after dark operations
dangerous flora and fauna
difficult terrain
time pressure
operating as part of a multi-agency response
urban or rural environments
Specified team roles may:
be determined based on the selected search technique (as per national land search operations manual) such as:
line search
feature search
track search
Observation skills may include:
day vision skills
night vision skills
Communication may include:
calming and reassuring a casualty
feedback of information
modes of communication as per organisational requirements
Survival techniques may include:

constructing fires
constructing temporary shelters
conserving water, food and energy
locating shelter
obtaining water
skills relevant to the local areas (such as cold, heat, terrain and forest)
Operational documentation may include:
electronic recording devices
notes, sketches of findings or other relevant information required for potential coronial or other legal proceedings photos
Symptoms of operational stress may include:


fatigue
headaches
illness
indecision
intolerance
lack of focus
nausea

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:
comply with search orders and organisational requirements
observe safety of self and others at all times during the search
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual and/or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an industry-approved simulated and/or workplace environment involving land search rescues using a range of equipment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
appropriate environment to conduct the search operation
other organisations
Method of assessment
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