Unit of competency details

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 to ride a personal water craft.

1.1. Identify food and water requirements  according to principles of nutrition  and contextual issues .

1.2. Identify an appropriate activity site after consideration of relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.3. Choose routes or lines to minimise damage to the environment.

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

1.5. Identify possible hazards  and obstacles  associated with the activity and minimise risks  as advised by the supervisor.

1.6. Communicate trip plans to an appropriate person, including an emergency contact.

2. Select equipment.

2.1. Select equipment and apparel  suitable for all possible weather conditions and check to ensure that it is in good working condition.

2.2. Fit and adjust equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, to ensure comfort and safety.

2.3. Identify the factors affecting equipment selection.

2.4. Determine and carry an in- field repair kit, and adequate fuel provisions.

3. Perform pre start checks

3.1. Carry out pre start checks  of personal water craft , to manufacturer's specifications, and take action to correct any deficiencies.

3.2. Stow equipment, stores and personal items.

3.3. Confirm number of passengers does not exceed craft design limits and or legislative requirements.

3.4. Prepare, secure, load and unload personal water craft, where required, for safe transportation to activity location.

4. Apply basic skills to ride personal water craft

4.1. Start personal water craft using recommended technique to maintain safety and stability.

4.2. Adopt appropriate posture, balance and weight distribution when riding on varying conditions to achieve efficiency, comfort and control.

4.3. Modify technique  to account for obstacles and changes in water conditions , and apply recommended weight transfer techniques during cornering.

4.4. Apply recommended emergency stop procedures and complete launching and retrieval in line with safe practice.

4.5. Identify aids to small craft navigation and use navigational aids and landmarks to determine and monitor craft position and to select routes that minimise damage to the environment.

4.6. Apply collision avoidance techniques, when required, in accordance with relevant legislation, recognised regulations and rules.

4.7. Apply group or bunch riding techniques and communicate with other craft and waterways users to maintain safety.

5. Evaluate ride in a personal water craft

5.1. Evaluate relevant aspects  of the activity.

5.2. Identify improvements for future rides.

5.3. Consider the impact of craft use on others and the environment.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• teamwork skills to work with others to lift, carry and secure personal water crafts safely
• communication skills to interact with supervisor, passengers and other water craft users
• listening skills to follow instructions and directions from the supervisor, passengers and rescue crew
• planning and organising skills to select a suitable location and minimal impact route
• problem-solving skills to plan and follow a route
• 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 personal water craft activities
• minimum impact codes applicable to riding personal water craft
• types of personal water crafts and equipment, characteristics and technology and factors affecting appropriate selection
• personal water craft features to ensure safety
• equipment and apparel requirements for personal water craft riding, such as a wetsuit to maintain warmth, dryness and sun protection
• riding techniques, such as cornering, braking, body positioning, weight transfer and use of the throttle, and how these control the ride
• navigation techniques to determine location and direction
• principles of nutrition to maintain health during activity
• basic weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity
• sea features, such as currents, waves and tides, and how these might impact on the personal water craft riding experience
• purpose and importance of safety features of craft
• maintenance tools and repair kits and how to use them in case of equipment failure
• emergency and rescue procedures appropriate for the craft and 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 process to plan and select craft, equipment and route suitable to the conditions and duration of the activity
• performs pre start and safety checks on the personal water craft and corrects any deficiencies
• demonstrates control and manoeuvring techniques and modifies technique according to change in weather and water conditions to maintain the safety of self and others
• evaluates and reflects on own performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple personal water craft activities on controlled waters to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• resources and information, such as weather sources, to plan and select equipment for the activity
• a suitable body of water, with winds under 10 knots, seas less than 1.0 metre and surf no higher than 0.5 metre
• personal water craft equipment, tools and spare parts, safety and first aid equipment, and aids to small craft navigation
• a suitable and safe method of transport, if required to drive craft to and from activity location.

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:

• oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of safety aspects and technique, such as how weight transfer affects cornering
• observation of safe participation and demonstration of technique while maintaining control of the craft at all times
• written and or verbal self evaluation.
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

• SISOPWC201A Select and maintain a personal water craft

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
• individual food requirements and allergies.

Contextual issues  may include:

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

Relevant legislation  may include:

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

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

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

Relevant sources  may include:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• media
• land managers or agencies
• coastal patrol or coastguard
• volunteer marine rescue
• local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information  may include:

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

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• slippery or unstable terrain
• dangerous animals and insects
• stinging trees and nettles
• dense vegetation
• group management hazards
• slippery or unstable shore
• poor posture, poor technique
• poor carrying techniques
• poor carrying techniques
• loose or insecure craft when being transported
• other craft.

Obstacles  may include:

• buoys
• piers
• submerged items
• other craft.

Risks  may include:

• hypothermia
• heat exhaustion
• injuries
• exhaustion
• lost party or party member
• equipment and course failure.

Equipment and apparel  may include:

• personal water craft equipment
• tools and spare parts
• safety and first aid equipment
• aids to small craft navigation.

Personal water craft  may include:

• pole skis
• two, three and four seater personal water craft.

Pre start checks  may include:

• fuel is connected
• battery is charged and connected
• kill switch
• fumes, petrol
• fuel and water leaks
• bilge water levels
• controls and cables
• oil and fuel
• drive shaft.

Technique  may include:

• change in posture and position on craft
• sitting and standing
• weight transfer and distribution
• speed
• throttle control
• stopping
• driving
• turning or manoeuvres.

Water conditions  may include:

• winds no more than 10 knots
• seas less than 1.0 metre
• surf no higher than 0.5 metre.

Relevant aspects  may include:

• objectives
• planning process
• activity site
• weather
• equipment selection
• clothing selection
• food selection
• instructional content
• instructional technique
• assessment technique
• group feedback
• directing techniques
• rescue techniques employed.