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SISCAQU021 - Perform complex water rescues


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. 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.

This 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 requires 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. This unit of competency stands alone and incorporates the content of the following unit:

  • SISCAQU021 Perform complex water rescues

Units Delivered

The following units will be included in your certificate:

SISCAQU021 - Perform complex 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 non-contact tow of a casualty. Working as a team, extract a casualty from deep water using extraction equipment.
      • Swim 10 metres and then complete a minimum 10 metre contact tow of a conscious casualty and remove the casualty from the water without assistance.
      • Swim 25 metres and then retrieve an object replicating a person at the deepest part of the pool at the aquatic facility (but no greater than two (2) metres) and perform a 25-metre contact tow of an unconscious casualty. Work as a team to extract the casualty with suspected spinal injury using spinal immobilisation extraction equipment from shallow water
  • 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”

As this unit applies particularly to pool lifeguards and individuals such as outdoor recreation leaders, who complete complex water rescues, it is expected that students will have a basic understanding of performing water rescues, prior to undertaking this unit.

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 complex aquatic rescues: 


      • Swim 25 metres and perform a 25 metre non-contact tow of a casualty. Working as a team, extract a casualty from deep water using extraction equipment. 
      • Swim 10 metres and then complete a minimum 10 metre contact tow of a conscious casualty and remove the casualty from the water without assistance.  
      • Swim 25 metres and then retrieve an object replicating a person at the deepest part of the pool at the aquatic facility (but no greater than two (2) metres) and perform a 25-metre contact tow of an unconscious casualty. Work as a team to extract the casualty with suspected spinal injury using spinal immobilisation extraction equipment from shallow water 
      • Commence aftercare procedures for two (2) rescued persons

      • 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 and strength throughout the rescue
      • Documentation: 
      Completion of 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