4.6. RESCUE WATERCRAFT OPERATOR

COURSE SUMMARY
The aim of this course is to provide participants with advanced skills and knowledge to effectively operate and manage
a Rescue Water Craft (RWC) in rescue operations.

PRE-REQUISITES
Candidates must meet ALL of the following conditions:

• be at least 17 years of age to commence training
• be at least 18 years of age at date of final assessment
• hold and be proficient in SLSA Bronze Medallion
• hold a current state personal watercraft license (must be in Surfguard with expiry date)
  

WHO CAN TRAIN

• Training Officer RWC or
• Facilitator Rescue Water Craft
  

WHO CAN ASSESS

• Assessor Rescue Water Craft (RWC) or
• Facilitator Rescue Water Craf
  

Refer to section 6. IRB and RWC TRAINING for booking requirements.

LEARNING RESOURCES
aXcelerate – Resources – Resource Library – Training Related

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Understand the roles and responsibilities of an RWC Operator, including:

• List the duties of an RWC Operator and obligations as the vessel master
• Demonstrate knowledge of regulatory maritime safety and exemption requirements
• List the safety considerations and key risks when operating an RWC
• Communicate effectively with the Crewperson (if applicable), patient, the public and external emergency service
  personnel in the normal performance of duties
  

Prepare and maintain an RWC

• Perform pre-operational checks and preventative maintenance of the RWC and sled
• Perform post-operational maintenance of the RWC and sled
• Complete organisational documentation as required, including reporting major equipment wear or damage or
  personal injury
  

• Identify the components of an RWC
• Launch an RWC safely and efficiently
• List key risks when operating in the surf environment
• Safely and efficiently negotiate the surf environment while operating an RWC
• Perform emergency procedures
  

• Perform conscious and unconscious patient pick-ups with and without a Crewperson
• Perform complex rescue operations
• Liaise effectively with external emergency services as required
  

• Understand search and rescue techniques and search patterns
• Demonstrate search and rescue techniques in a patrol environment
  

• List requirements of an RWC Crewperson
• Understand limitations of RWC Crewperson
• Demonstrate RWC Crewperson Briefing
  

ASSESSMENT

Prior to assessment, participants should complete:

• Twenty (20) nominal hours of practical demonstration where the participant is actively performing tasks as a trainee RWC operator;
• With at least 50% of the nominal hours to be sea time;
• Over at least 5 separate days;
• In a variety of conditions.
  

Assessment is through demonstration, presentation and application of all elements of competency in the workplace.
Participants will be required to complete activities that may include role-plays, oral and written questioning, practical demonstrations and performing scenarios.
Assessment can be completed on the 5th day but must be shown as a separate session.

SKILLS MAINTENANCE/PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
For this award to remain current candidates must complete

• an annual skills maintenance check
  

Assessor – RWC determines competency; and

• undertake a familiarisation and demonstration of any pre-season updates relevant to the award.
  

POWERCRAFT RWC CODE OF CONDUCT

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