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 an overnight ski touring trip.

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

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

1.3. Select a location according to participant's abilities, trip objectives , relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.4. Identify hazards  associated with overnight ski touring and minimise risks  to ensure personal safety of participants.

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

1.6. Determine food and water requirements  according to principles of nutrition  and contextual issues  of the overnight ski touring 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. Assess equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.

2.3. Pack equipment that is not required on hand in a suitable manner.

2.4. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the conditions.

3. Brief participants.

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

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

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

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

3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the overnight trip.

4. Lead a group of skiers.

4.1. Demonstrate correct ski touring skills and techniques  to participants.

4.2. Monitor ski touring skills to ensure safety of participants.

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

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

4.5. Recognise and resolve conflict situations, where applicable.

4.6. Respond to emergencies or non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.

5. Complete post trip responsibilities.

5.1. Notify appropriate authorities of trip completion.

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

5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects  of overnight ski touring trip.

5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future overnight ski touring trips.

5.5. 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 an overnight ski touring trip that meets their needs
• convey information about the safety aspects of the trip
• interact with participants to create a safe and positive ski touring environment

• problem-solving skills to:

• plan a suitable overnight ski touring trip according to participant's needs and abilities
• make decisions about potential hazards that may affect activities
• respond to non-routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and a suitable location
• organise participants into manageable groups for ski touring

• language and literacy skills to:

• produce a plan for the overnight ski touring trip
• complete post activity participant and self evaluations

• numeracy skills to plan routes and calculate grid and magnetic bearings using a map and compass
• personal ski touring skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain 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 enable safe conduct of all activities performed during overnight ski touring activities
• Alpine Responsibility Code and skiing practices, snowsport area signs and regulations, and minimal impact codes to ensure safety and protection of environment
• location specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential overnight ski touring hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the area
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for ski touring and camping, the advantages and disadvantages, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment
• clothing requirements for outdoor activities and factors affecting appropriate clothing selection, such as layering and protective clothing
• use, care and maintenance of skiing and camping equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements
• principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during the overnight ski touring trip
• ski touring skills and common communication methods used between skiers
• technical ski touring knowledge, such as techniques and procedures to suit the features of the terrain
• weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the overnight trip
• hazards that may be experienced in various conditions on different terrain
• first aid, emergency and rescue procedures 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 groups in a safe and professional manner
• applies contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during ski touring 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 in overnight ski touring activities in suitable snowsport areas that are appropriate to the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• a suitable snowsport area to guide groups in multiple overnight ski touring activities
• participants to take part in the overnight ski touring trip
• ski touring, safety, first aid, rescue, repair, navigation, overnight and communication equipment
• resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document overnight ski touring activities for a variety of participants.

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 interaction with a group of 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 overnight ski touring activities
• observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
• review of overnight ski touring 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.

Industry has determined that this unit must be assessed with the following unit:

• SISONAV302A Apply navigation skills in an intermediate environment
• SISOSKT303A Day ski tour away from a patrolled area
• SISOSKT305A Apply snowcraft skills for day touring.

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 development
• age
• injuries and illnesses.

Plan  may include:

• aims and objectives
• date, time and duration
• location, equipment and resources
• safety and emergency requirements.

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
• assessment procedures
• time and budget constraints
• communication protocols
• code of ethics
• confidentiality of participant information
• snowsport area signs and regulations
• Alpine Responsibility Code.

Trip objectives  may include:

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

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• slippery or unstable terrain
• dense vegetation
• group management hazards.

Risks  may include:

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

Relevant sources  may include:

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

Weather and environmental information  may include:

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

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.

Equipment  may include:

• ski touring equipment
• overnight equipment
• safety, first aid and rescue equipment
• navigation equipment
• communication equipment
• repair equipment.

Relevant information  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.

Ski touring skills and techniques  must include:

• diagonal stride
• snow plough, glide, break and turn
• side step
• step turns
• double pole
• herringbone
• downhill run
• kick turn
• traverse
• basic skate
• side-slip
• stopping
• stem-turns
• kick and tack turns
• open stance telemark turns
• telemark run
• self arrest.

Variable factors  may include:

• change of weather
• equipment failure
• snow conditions.

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.