Unit of competency details

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Editorial update to Guidance information for assessment.

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. Define the outdoor adventure experience and its link to risk.

1.1. Undertake research to identify the value of using and or experiencing risk as part of the adventure experience.

1.2. Identify conditions  that contribute to an adventure experience.

1.3. Identify the nature and or types of risk as they relate to outdoor adventure experiences .

1.4. Identify factors that affect an individual's perception of risk in an outdoor activity and how an individual's perception of risk and of their own competence can change in a specified situation.

1.5. Analyse the interplay between different levels of risk and competence and all possible combinations as part of the adventure experience paradigm .

1.6. Determine the implications of these interactions for outdoor leaders in terms of providing safe, but challenging outdoor experiences.

1.7. Identify and access tools to assist in the analysis of factors which contribute to accidents in outdoor adventure activities .

2. Establish the context of the risk management.

2.1. Select an outdoor activity that reflects program objectives and a suitable level of challenge  for participants, with respect to the relationship between risk and competence.

2.2. Identify and assess the competence of participants for the selected outdoor activity.

2.3. Determine the acceptable degree of difficulty and risk, based on the activity aims and objectives, the conditions and the competence of the clients and leaders.

2.4. Access and analyse the organisational risk management plan for the outdoor activity.

2.5. Identify risk management strategies  for the outdoor activity according to organisational policies and procedures .

3. Apply risk management during an outdoor activity.

3.1. Utilise a system that traces the relationship between each risk, its contributing hazards, the likelihood of the risk eventuating and the resultant consequence(s) in order to determine whether the level of risk is acceptable.

3.2. Advise participants of risk factors  requiring activity modification.

3.3. Monitor the activity and adjust if risk to participants becomes unacceptable according to organisational policies and procedures.

4. Evaluate risk management of the outdoor activity.

4.1. Evaluate the risk management plan for the activity following the conduct of the activity to determine aspects requiring modification.

4.2. Develop a strategy to address issues raised as a result of the evaluation.

4.3. Evaluate own performance as a risk manager and obtain feedback in order to identify perceived strengths and areas for improvement.

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

Required skills 

• problem-solving skills to:

• balance the relationship between level of risk and level of challenge
• manage risks for an adventure activity within the parameters of the organisational risk management plan

• planning and organising skills to:

• implement and monitor risk management strategies for an adventure activity
• make changes in response to unacceptable risk levels and evaluation outcomes

• literacy and numeracy skills to access and analyse required risk assessment information, including the relationship between risk and competence and the value of experiencing risk as part of outdoor adventure activities
• communication skills to:

• lead review of the risk management of outdoor activities
• convey information to participants on risk factors associated with adventure activities

• self management skills to reflect on own performance and identify areas of improvement.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational risk management plan and procedures to enable risks associated with outdoor activities to be assessed and addressed so that outdoor activities can be undertaken safely
• accident or incident analysis as a tool in risk management planning to enable appropriate responses
• first aid knowledge appropriate to the activity and location
• terms used in contemporary risk management, and their relationship to each other applicable to an outdoor recreation context
• concept of 'optimal arousal' and or a 'flow state' in relation to risk taking to enable understanding of the psychology of risk taking
• reasons why people usually engage in outdoor activities that involve risk
• models that illustrate the consequences of the match or mismatch of real and perceived risk, from low to high levels
• the role of risk theory in outdoor activities to enable understanding of the balance between risk and challenge
• activity specific knowledge to undertake the activity
• emergency or incident procedures to decrease the consequences should an accident occur.

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 knowledge of the role of risk in outdoor adventure activities to select activities that promote a suitable level of risk and challenge in relation to participant skill
• applies organisational risk management strategies to conduct the activity safely
• applies contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the outdoor activity, including changing levels of risk, and takes action to address these
• reviews the conduct of the activity in relation to the management of risk and makes appropriate improvements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure evaluation and management of risk in multiple outdoor activities in an environment that reflects the candidate's current or intended work role to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• outdoor environments and locations appropriate to the specific activity
• participants to take part in outdoor adventure programs
• resources and equipment to implement risk control measures
• organisational risk management plans and procedures.

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 application of organisational risk management strategies to outdoor activities and locations
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of risk theory in outdoor adventure activities
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing work performance over multiple applications.

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

• activity-specific guiding units
• SISXRSK301A Undertake risk analysis of activities.

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.

Conditions  may include:

• freedom of choice
• state of mind
• intrinsic motivation
• uncertainty of outcome.

Types of risk as they relate to outdoor adventure experiences  may include:

• environmental
• cultural
• physical
• psychological
• social
• absolute, real and perceived risk.

Adventure experience paradigm  may include:

• exploration and experimentation
• adventure
• peak adventure
• misadventure
• devastation and disaster.

Factors which contribute to accidents in outdoor adventure activities  may include:

• unobserved or underestimated unsafe conditions
• unsafe acts
• errors of judgement
• familiarisation with the situation or environment
• risk shifts within groups due to risk taking behaviour of bolder and influential members
• unwillingness to accept responsibility for bad or negative situations.

Suitable level of challenge  may include:

• the interplay of risk and competence:

• situational risk
• personal competence
• emotional competence.

Risk management strategies  may include:

• setting ground rules
• communicating
• demonstrating skills and techniques
• role modelling
• choosing own level of challenge
• postponing or modifying or cancelling activity.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• risk management plan
• equipment use and maintenance
• reporting and record-keeping
• communication protocols.

Risk factors  may include:

• unforeseen risk
• changes in participant response to risk
• changes in environmental conditions
• changes in participant psychological responses.