Unit of competency details

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ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Plan for the canyoning activity.

1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements  according to principles of nutrition  and the duration of the activity.

1.2. Identify an appropriate activity site according to relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.3. Access relevant sources  to interpret detailed weather and environmental information  to determine activity plan.

1.4. Select personal clothing according to design and or construction features appropriate for the activity.

2. Select and utilise canyoning equipment.

2.1. Select and use equipment  in a safe and efficient manner after consideration of contextual issues .

2.2. Fit and adjust equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.3. Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks  prior to commencing canyoning and or belaying.

2.4. Select and attach descending device  to the rope and tie knots  suitable to the belay system  being used.

2.5. Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of descent site to minimise risk.

3. Travel through a canyon.

3.1. Survey the route through the canyon to identify hazards  and obstacles , assess risk, and select a safe route according to conditions and group ability.

3.2. Identify features of hydrological formations  that are hazardous according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

3.3. Apply correct body position in moving water to minimise the potential for foot entrapment where relevant.

3.4. Apply navigation skills appropriate to the chosen route.

3.5. Apply wading and or swimming techniques to negotiate deep rock pools where required.

3.6. Remove and handle loaded backpacks to enable safe passage through the canyon where required.

4. Negotiate vertical pitches.

4.1. Identify specific considerations and risks associated with the selection of equipment and the rigging of abseil anchors and systems.

4.2. Descend in a controlled and safe manner according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.3. Demonstrate correct posture and technique while abseiling using single and double rope taking into account pitch variations.

4.4. Identify and apply techniques that minimise damage to the environment while abseiling.

4.5. Respond to emergency situations  according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.6. Demonstrate rope retrieval skills.

5. Apply belaying skills.

5.1. Establish belaying position by moving body in relation to belay device  that enables effective use of belay system.

5.2. Confirm attachment of belayer to anchor to minimise movement during a fall.

5.3. Demonstrate a safe and efficient escape from belay system, and attachment of belayer to anchor to minimise movement during a fall.

5.4. Maintain rope tension to ensure fall distance is minimised while not restricting abseiler movement.

5.5. Monitor abseiler progress constantly and respond appropriately to abseiler calls.

5.6. Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to the belaying device and or situation.

5.7. Demonstrate the lowering of a conscious or unconscious canyoner in the event of an emergency.

5.8. Demonstrate attachment to alternate belay or safety system when self-belaying to maintain safety in the event of a fall.

6. Maintain canyoning equipment.

6.1. Conduct maintenance checks and repairs  of canyoning equipment prior to storage.

6.2. Dry equipment prior to storage as appropriate.

6.3. Store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

7. Evaluate canyoning activity.

7.1. Evaluate relevant aspects  of canyoning activity.

7.2. Evaluate own performance and identify potential improvements for future performances.

7.3. Make modifications to future canyoning activities where required in response to feedback  from participants and own self reflection outcomes .

Required skills 

• communication skills to inform progress and interact with participants while participating in activity
• problem-solving skills to:

• identify and negotiate obstacles and hazards
• assess application of rope tension when belaying

• planning and organising skills to access resources and equipment for the activity
• self management skills to review and reflect on own performance
• abseiling and belaying skills to apply to the canyoning activity
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all canyoning activities
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for canyoning, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment
• factors affecting selection, use, care and maintenance of canyoning equipment
• communication methods and calls used between abseilers and belayers to reduce risk
• belay techniques and devices appropriate for activity including anchor selection and rigging of abseils
• technical abseiling and belaying techniques and procedures to suit the features and conditions of the canyoning site
• knots and rope handling to maintain adequate rope tension when belaying
• weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity
• hazards that may be experienced in a canyoning environment
• minimal impact techniques to minimise environmental impact of canyoning activities
• emergency procedures and potential hazards relevant to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• applies relevant processes to plan equipment and supply requirements according to the conditions and duration of the canyoning activity
• conducts pre- activity checks of the canyon site and equipment to identify potential hazards, obstacles and risks, and applies risk minimisation techniques
• demonstrates canyoning techniques such as operating a belay system and handling ropes efficiently to negotiate a vertical pitch
• negotiates obstacles and hazards during canyoning activities and adapts to non-routine situations
• evaluates and reflects on own canyoning performance to identify strengths and weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple vertical canyoning activities, within the current or intended context of the candidate's work region to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• resources and information, such as meteorological data, to plan for the canyoning activity
• a suitable outdoor environment with a canyoning site with simple obstacles and features including vertical pitches and wet sections
• canyoning, abseiling and belaying, navigation, safety and first aid, communication and repair equipment.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• observation of the planning and review process
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all canyoning activities
• observation of safe participation and demonstration of abseiling and belaying skills to participate in vertical canyoning activities
• observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment failure or change in weather conditions
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SISOCAY303A Establish belays in canyons

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Food and water requirements  may include:

• menu planning and preparation
• range of foods.

Principles of nutrition  may include:

• food groups
• dietary guidelines
• essential nutrients
• individual food requirements and allergies.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• emergency procedures
• communication protocols
• use and maintenance of equipment
• code of ethics.

Relevant sources  may include:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• media
• land managers or agencies
• local knowledge
• police.

Weather and environmental information  may include:

• satellite images
• daily and weekly forecasts
• maximum and minimum temperatures
• weather warnings
• event warnings
• river levels
• synoptic charts.

Equipment  may include:

• canyoning equipment
• abseiling and belaying equipment
• navigation equipment
• safety and first aid equipment
• communication equipment
• repair equipment.

Contextual issues  may include:

• weather conditions, including times
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• group objectives
• group size.

Safety checks  may include:

• A - anchors - secure and suitable to application
• B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations
• C - connector - locked, secured and orientated
• D - devices - threaded correctly and secured
• E - everything else including end or rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured
• F - friend - cross check.

Descending devices  may include:

• auto locking devices
• circular devices
• plate devices
• tubular devices
• improvised devices
• in line devices.

Knots  may include:

• rethreaded figure 8
• figure 8 on bight
• friction hitches.

Belay system  may include:

• top belay
• bottom belay
• self belay.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• slippery or unstable terrain
• dangerous animals and insects
• stinging trees and nettles
• dense vegetation
• group management hazards.

Obstacles  may include:

• slippery rocks
• large boulders
• rock pools
• tunnel swims
• water slides
• small drops
• rapids
• ledges and overhangs
• squeezes
• traverses.

Hydrological formations  may include:

• stoppers
• holes
• strainers
• undercuts
• still bodies of extremely cold water.

Emergency situations  may include:

• injured canyoner
• unconscious canyoner
• 'frozen' canyoner
• trapped canyoner.

Belay devices  may include:

• plate devices
• auto locking devices
• tubular devices.

Maintenance checks and repairs  may include:

• lilo puncture repair
• lilo valve repair or replacement
• cleaning of rope and harnesses.

Relevant aspects  may include:

• objectives
• planning process
• activity site
• weather
• equipment selection
• clothing selection
• food selection
• instructional content.