SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Undertake a deep-water rescue involving rescue breathing 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
255834  Undertake a deep-water rescue involving rescue breathing 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Sport, Recreation & Fitness 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 02 - Culture and Arts Sport 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The learner achieving this unit standard will have acquired a range of essential skills and capacities necessary for the saving of lives in the aquatic environment sufficient to conduct a complex and demanding deep-water rescue involving resuscitation techniques with a range of patients. They will be capable of scanning the water within surf, open water or pool environments to counter threats and identify a casualty in distress. They will have the stamina to conduct a demanding run and swim to make contact with the patient, be capable of providing rescue breathing (expired air resuscitation) efficiently in deep water, while implementing appropriate patient care.

Improvements in performance of the above critical competencies can be expected to enhance the quality of service offered by lifeguards to the public. The unit standard can consequently be expected to benefit the individual and the sub-field greatly.

On achievement of this unit standard the learner will understand and be able to:
  • Demonstrate and explain water awareness within the operating environment.
  • Execute a multi-discipline endurance activity competently according to prescribed standards.
  • Perform rescue breathing (expired air resuscitation) competently in deep water according to specific standards. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Where applicable, range statements have been included under individual specific outcomes or assessment criteria. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate and explain water awareness within the operating environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The selected aquatic environment is explained in terms of the most prominent features that define it. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Possible dangers are identified and the threats posed by them to a variety of users are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Deep water, shallow water, river currents, surf, wind.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Scanning procedures and methods are demonstrated as appropriate to identifying and locating persons in distress. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Typical signs of drowning are described and demonstrated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Flailing limbs, "climbing the ladder", poor flotation, waving arms, floating face down, vertical but conscious, submerged person.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Execute a multi-discipline endurance activity competently according to prescribed standards. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Run-swim-run over a measured distance in a specified time; endurance swim using at least three 'survival strokes'. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Maintenance of high fitness levels is explained as a crucial platform upon which to perform rescue functions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The endurance test is executed as prescribed or required by organisational policy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Techniques are performed correctly during the endurance test in an aquatic context. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Perform Rescue Breathing (expired air resuscitation) competently in deep water according to specific standards. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Surf and open water using a buoyant aid and fins, pool without aids. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Rescue breathing is explained as the most appropriate resuscitation technique when rescuing an apparently drowned patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A simulated rescue is undertaken in which rescue breathing is demonstrated in deep water for a specified duration for an apparently drowned patient. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Surf and open water using a buoyant aid and fins, pool without aids.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Patient care is demonstrated when returning the casualty to the nearest dry land. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A report is completed on the incident according to organisational requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, with lifeguarding included in their field of application and expertise.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or will assess this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA. They shall be accredited for a learning programme related to the present unit standard.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.
  • Therefore, anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution which is accredited by the relevant ETQA, provided they have lifeguarding within their accreditation scope. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Techniques of implementing water awareness within the operating environment.
  • Requirements for executing a multi-discipline endurance event.
  • Requirements for performing rescue breathing in deep water.
  • Current, industry accepted standards related to rescue breathing and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
  • Incident reporting requirements of the organisation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork is required when working with members of rescue services in undertaking water awareness duties, resuscitation and rescues. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation is enhanced and developed through the discipline of engaging in a fitness programme to complete a demanding endurance event. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication skills are enhanced when working with others in undertaking beach or pool duties, and when undertaking fitness activities in a group context. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Appropriate use of science and technology are required when analysing the components of physical fitness, EAR and swimming strokes. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  61509   Further Education and Training Certificate: Lifeguarding  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.