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 a canyoning trip.

1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the condition of participants .

1.2. Develop a trip plan , according to relevant legislation , organisational policies and procedures  and participant's needs.

1.3. Select a canyon suitable to participants and trip objectives  according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.4. Identify hazards  associated with canyoning and minimise risks  to ensure safety of participants.

1.5. Access relevant sources  to interpret detailed weather and environmental information  to determine trip plan.

1.6. Determine food and water requirements  according to principles of nutrition  and contextual issues  of the trip.

1.7. Identify most appropriate belay system  according to participant's abilities and conditions at the site.

1.8. Inform appropriate authorities  before commencing the canyoning trip.

2. Select equipment for the group.

2.1. Select equipment  according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures and check serviceability.

2.2. Establish anchors and ropes, ensuring they are in correct position for the activity.

2.3. Check safety and rescue equipment according to the needs of participants and characteristics of the canyon.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information  about the canyoning trip in a manner suitable to the participants.

3.2. Outline safety procedures  and safe areas and or boundaries for the trip and activities.

3.3. Explain symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypothermia, hyperthermia and dehydration to the group to assist in self-monitoring.

3.4. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while canyoning.

3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for canyoning activities.

4. Lead canyoning trip.

4.1. Demonstrate canyoning techniques  to participants.

4.2. Monitor canyoning techniques to ensure safety of participants.

4.3. Identify potential hazards and determine how they can be overcome or avoided.

4.4. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.

4.5. Implement appropriate modifications to activities in regard to all variable factors  that are monitored.

4.6. Provide direction and advice to group during the trip.

5. Complete post trip responsibilities.

5.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects  of canyoning trip.

5.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future canyoning trips.

5.4. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• consult with participants to plan a canyoning trip that meets their needs
• convey information about the safety aspects of the trip
• interact with participants to create a safe and positive canyoning environment

• problem-solving skills to:

• plan canyoning trip according to participant's needs and abilities
• make decisions about potential hazards that may affect trip
• modify aspects of trips according to all variable factors and non-routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source, allocate and coordinate equipment and canyon location
• organise participants into manageable groups for abseiling and belaying activities

• language and literacy skills to:

• produce plans
• complete post trip participant and self evaluations

• personal canyoning skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain single pitch techniques to participants
• 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 ensure safe and non-discriminatory conduct of all activities performed during canyoning trips
• minimal impact canyoning codes to ensure protection of the environment
• site specific information to enable safe and effective planning and management of potential canyoning hazards and any special restrictions applying to the area
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for single pitch canyoning, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment to enable appropriate selection, use and maintenance
• clothing and footwear requirements for canyoning and factors affecting appropriate selection, such as layering and protective clothing
• principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during the trip
• canyoning techniques and common communication systems used between abseilers and belayers when canyoning to reduce risk
• belay systems, devices and anchors appropriate for single pitch canyons
• technical abseiling knowledge, such as advantages and disadvantages of various knots in a variety of situations
• weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the trip
• emergency and rescue procedures, potential hazards and obstacles relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others.

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:

• plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner
• applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during canyoning trips
• encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of groups on multiple canyoning trips in locations that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• a suitable canyon that enables the demonstration and practice of canyoning activities
• participants to take part in the canyoning trip
• resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document canyoning activities for a variety of participants
• canyoning, abseiling, belaying, protection, navigation, communication, safety and first aid 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 planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all canyoning activities during trip
• observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
• review of canyoning trip plans
• 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:

• SISOCAY302A Apply vertical canyoning skills
• SISOCAY303A Establish belays in canyons
• SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues.

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.

Condition of participants  may include:

• previous experience
• physical capabilities
• age
• injuries and illnesses.

Plan  may include:

• aims and objectives
• date, time and duration
• location, equipment and resources
• guide and participant ratios
• safety requirements
• risk and contingency management plan.

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
• time constraints
• use, maintenance and storage of equipment
• communication protocols
• confidentiality of participant information
• guide and participant ratios
• emergency and safety procedures
• code of ethics.

Trip objectives  may include:

• self improvement
• meeting people
• fitness targets
• adventure and recreation.

Hazards  may include:

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

Risks  may include:

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

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
• river levels
• synoptic charts.

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.

Belay system  may include:

• top belay
• bottom brake.

Appropriate authorities  may include:

• authorities
• supervisors.

Equipment  may include:

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

Relevant information  may include:

• safety procedures
• logistical details
• risk and hazard prevention and management
• canyoning, abseiling and belaying techniques
• responsible and safe behaviour.

Safety procedures  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.

Canyoning techniques  may include:

• liloing and swimming
• river running
• abseiling
• belaying
• navigating
• establishing anchors and belay ropes.

Variable factors  may include:

• change of weather and conditions
• equipment failure
• participant's needs.

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.