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 for the activity.

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

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

1.3. Identify potential hazards  and changing conditions  associated with the activity, and apply risk minimisation procedures to ensure personal safety.

1.4. Access relevant sources  to interpret detailed weather and environmental information  and determine appropriate activities.

2. Select equipment.

2.1. Select equipment  according to contextual issues  and check to ensure that it is in good working condition.

2.2. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure comfort and safety according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.3. Select personal clothing and footwear for activity and identify the required design and construction features.

2.4. Waterproof food, clothing, equipment and resources.

3. Apply canyoning skills.

3.1. Conduct pre-activity checks and survey the route through the canyon, as designated by the supervisor, to identify hazards, assess risk and select a safe route appropriate to skills.

3.2. Follow the route, demonstrating navigation techniques that minimise damage to the environment.

3.3. Approach obstacles  and hazards in a safe manner, and minimise risks  to self and group while negotiating a range of terrain  types within a canyon according to organisational policies and procedures.

3.4. Apply horizontal canyoning skills  to negotiate deep rock pools.

3.5. Conduct common maintenance  checks and repairs to canyoning equipment, where applicable during the activity.

4. Evaluate the canyoning activity.

4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects  of the canyoning activity.

4.2. Identify improvements for future canyoning experiences.

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

Required skills 

• literacy and numeracy skills to read and interpret maps and weather and environmental information
• planning and organising skills to select an appropriate activity site and equipment
• communication skills to:

• follow instructions and directions from the supervisor
• interact with other participants

• swimming, wading and liloing skills to negotiate deep rock pools
• bushwalking skills and techniques to enable safe access to the canyoning location
• 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 and legal conduct of all canyoning activities
• minimal impact codes and techniques to ensure protection of environment
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for canyoning, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment provided by supervisor, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment
• packing and waterproofing techniques in order to protect personal and group equipment
• maintenance and repair techniques to keep equipment safe and in working condition
• clothing and footwear requirements factors affecting appropriate selection
• principles of nutrition to maintain health during activity
• navigation techniques to determine location, direction and potential hazards under supervision
• basic weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity
• 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:

• determines equipment and supply requirements according to the conditions and duration of the canyoning activity
• conducts pre- activity checks of the canyon site to identify potential hazards, obstacles and risks, and applies risk minimisation techniques
• demonstrates canyoning techniques within a variety of terrain obstacles, such as liloing, swimming and wading through rock pools
• seeks advice and feedback from leader to improve skills and ensure safety of self and group
• 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 horizontal canyoning activities in moderate terrain types that reflect local conditions 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 horizontal canyons that contain gentle to moderate terrain, may be wet or dry and should have natural obstacles that require swimming and or liloing
• a qualified leader or supervisor
• canyoning, 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:

• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the appropriate selection and use of equipment, clothing and footwear
• observation of safe participation and demonstration of horizontal canyoning skills, such as swimming or liloing
• 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:

SISONAV201A Navigate in tracked or easy untracked areas.

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.

Hazards  may include:

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

Changing conditions  may include:

• weather
• equipment failure
• injuries.

Relevant sources  may include:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• media
• land managers or agencies
• coastal patrol or coastguard
• 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
• high and low tide predictions.

Equipment  may include:

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

Contextual issues  may include:

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

Obstacles  may include:

• rivers
• logs
• rocks
• gullies
• exposed areas.

Risks  may include:

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

Terrain  may include:

• slippery rocks
• large boulders
• rock pools
• waterslides
• small drops
• logs
• submerged trees and branches.

Horizontal canyoning skills  may include:

• use of lilos
• wading
• swimming techniques.

Common maintenance  may include:

• lilo puncture repair
• lilo valve repair or replacement
• equipment cleaning
• pack and clothing repair.

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.