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This course is designed for individuals such as lifeguards and outdoor recreation leaders who are responsible for conducting complex water rescues in both indoor and outdoor swimming venues, whether they are built or natural. It also covers competitive open water swimming supervision and snorkel watch.

By enrolling in this course, participants will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively handle aquatic emergencies using advanced rescue procedures, however, it is expected that students will have a basic understanding of performing water rescues, prior to undertaking this unit.

The course will cover various aspects of rescue situations, such as how to assess the situation, determine appropriate rescue actions, communicate effectively with the appropriate personnel, and use a range of equipment and techniques to conduct complex water rescues quickly and efficiently. Complex water rescues may involve multiple people in distress, individuals suffering from medical events while in the water including suspected spinal injuries, injured persons, navigating through various hazards, or a combination of many factors.

Handling complex rescues often require the ability to manage rapidly evolving situations while working with multiple team members and organizing further care. The work will be carried out in accordance with established best practices in aquatic rescue, first aid, relevant legislation, and organizational policies. By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify, evaluate and respond to aquatic emergencies with confidence and proficiency

Units Delivered

The following units will be included in your certificate:

SISCAQU029 - Perform open water rescues

Course Delivery

This course can be delivered/assessed in the workplace or at facility organised by the training provider.

Course Durations

Course durations can vary for multiple reasons, so the durations below are the minimum possible amount.

Face-to-Face Face to Face contact time of at least 8 Hours
Online with face-to-face assessment Face to Face contact time of at least 5 Hours

An individual undertaking this course with Allens Training Pty Ltd will need to demonstrate the following to be eligible for entry:

  • Physical capability to be able to meet the demands of the practical demonstration skills including:
    • Demonstrating fitness, strength, efficiency and speed, perform the following complex aquatic rescues:
      • Swim 25 metres and perform a 25-metre tow of a conscious casualty using a rescue tube, negotiating prevailing conditions and environmental hazards
      • Paddle 25 metres on a non-motorised watercraft such a rescue board, paddleboard or surfboard, to rescue a conscious casualty, negotiating prevailing conditions and environmental hazards
  • Visual acuity to see the common visual signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water
  • Hear the common signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water which includes “calling for help”

Due to the high risk nature of this course, it is highly recommended that students will have a basic understanding of performing water rescues, prior to undertaking this unit.  In addition, it is recommended students can swim 400 metres in less than 8 minutes.

Online study options:  The online learning program can be found in the student portal. Students must have access to a computer, smart phone, tablet or other electronic device with access to the internet to complete the online studies and practical assessment.

Individuals undertaking this course will be expected to complete both written and practical assessment tasks.

This certificate does not require renewal

Please note that enrolment to this course is made with Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909. Please refer to the student handbook located on the RTO website allenstraining.com.au (https://allenstraining.com.au/students/student-handbook) for all details relating to rights and responsibilities including complaints and appeals.

Practical scenarios:

  • Demonstrating the fitness, strength, efficiency and speed, perform the following open water rescues: 

    • Swim 25 metres and then retrieve an object replicating a person at a depth of no greater than two (2) metres) and perform a 25-metre contact tow of an unconscious casualty, negotiating prevailing conditions and environmental hazards
    • Paddle 25 metres on a non-motorised watercraft such a rescue board, paddleboard or surfboard, to rescue and assist an exhausted conscious casualty onto the board and paddle 25 metres to shore, negotiating prevailing conditions and environmental hazards
  • Demonstrate the following knowledge and skills for each rescue outlined above:
    • effectively utilise rescue equipment suited to the type of rescue
    • communicate effectively with the person in distress to provide instructions
    • demonstrate fitness, strength, efficiency and speed throughout the rescue

Documentation: 
Complete an Incident Report form

Theory assessment: A written exam consisting of multiple-choice and short answer questions must be completed at the end of the training session. Students must answer all questions.

This course is delivered and assessed on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909