PUASAR032 – Undertake vertical rescue
This combined course equips participants with both foundational rescue skills (PUASAR022) and advanced vertical rescue capabilities (PUASAR032). Participants learn to operate safely as a rescue team member and perform high-angle rescues, including rigging systems, rope work, and casualty handling in vertical environments.
Introduction:
The Rescue & Vertical Rescue Specialist program is intended for rescue teams, industrial safety personnel, or emergency response staff who require both general rescue competence and specialised vertical rescue skills.
By combining these two units, the course ensures seamless progression from participating in rescue operations to performing rescues in vertical settings such as towers, shafts, cliffs, or deep structures. This enhances team cohesion, efficiency, and capability in diverse rescue scenarios.
Target Audience:
- Emergency response / rescue team members.
- Workplace safety or ERT personnel who may respond to vertical rescue incidents.
- Contractors and maintenance staff in industries with height hazards (mining, utilities, towers).
- Individuals needing both general rescue and vertical rescue accreditation.
Learning Outcomes:
- Prepare and respond safely to rescue operations.
- Actively participate in scene risk assessment and rescue planning.
- Use rescue equipment and PPE appropriate to the operation.
- Conduct rescue extrication, casualty packaging, and removal under supervision.
- Prepare for vertical rescue operations: rig systems, anchors, rope work.
- Ascend, descend, belay, and lower patients in vertical rescue scenarios.
- Terminate rescue, demobilise, debrief, and perform post-rescue procedures.
Learning Methods:
- Theory sessions: covering regulations, rescue principles, vertical rescue concepts
- Hands-on practical skills: rope work, rigging, anchor setup, casualty transport in height scenarios
- Scenario-based drills: integrated rescue missions combining general and vertical elements
- Assessment: Written/oral knowledge checks practical performance observation in simulated rescue environments
Program Benefits:
- Delivers two nationally recognised competencies in one program.
- Builds general and vertical rescue capability in rescue teams.
- Improves readiness for high-risk rescue environments involving heights or depth.
- Offers efficiency in delivery and continuity between rescue skill levels.
- Provides Statements of Attainment for both PUASAR022 and PUASAR032.
Content:
- Rescue fundamentals: scene assessment, team roles, communication
- Equipment selection, inspection and use (ropes, harnesses, pulleys, stretchers)
- Casualty handling, packaging and extrication techniques
- Vertical rescue techniques: anchor systems, rigging, ascents/descents, pick-offs
- Rope systems, mechanical advantage, lowering / raising systems
- Safety factors, load calculations, fall arrest integration
- Termination, recovery, debriefing, equipment maintenance