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 snorkelling activity.

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

1.2. Develop an activity plan  according to participant's needs, industry criteria , relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.3. Select an appropriate site for snorkelling according to participant's abilities, activity objectives , relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.4. Identify hazards  associated with snorkelling 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 snorkelling activity.

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. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the dive.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information  about the snorkelling activity in a manner suitable to the participants.

3.2. Outline safety procedures to the participants and check understanding.

3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use during the snorkelling activity.

3.4. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the activity.

4. Lead a group in snorkelling.

4.1. Demonstrate snorkelling techniques  to participants.

4.2. Monitor snorkelling techniques to ensure safety of participants.

4.3. Identify potential hazards and decide 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. Respond to emergencies or non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.

5. Complete post activity responsibilities.

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

5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects  of snorkelling activity.

5.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future snorkelling activities.

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 identify individual and group needs
• convey information about the safety aspects of the activity
• interact with participants to create a safe and positive snorkelling environment

• problem-solving skills to:

• plan a suitable snorkelling activity according to participant's needs and abilities
• make decisions about potential hazards that may affect the activity
• respond to non-routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and a suitable snorkelling site
• organise participants into manageable groups for snorkelling

• language and literacy skills to:

• produce a plan for the snorkelling activity
• complete post-activity participant and self evaluations

• personal snorkelling skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain techniques to participants
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the site to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies whilst instructing snorkelling.

Required knowledge 

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures and industry criteria to enable safe conduct of all snorkelling activities
• site specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the site
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for snorkelling, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection
• use, care and maintenance of snorkelling equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements
• principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during the snorkelling activity
• snorkelling techniques and communication systems used in snorkelling to reduce risk
• technical snorkelling knowledge, such as factors affecting buoyancy and how to control sinking and floating, pressure, volume and temperature as related to squeezes, and atmospheric related concerns such as hypothermia, hyperthermia and sunburn
• 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 snorkelling experience
• aquatic hazards and risks that may be experienced in confined and or open water conditions, such as sea life and environmental, and how to safely negotiate these
• first aid, emergency and rescue procedures relevant to the site 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 commonly arise during snorkelling activities
• 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 snorkelling activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• a suitable snorkelling site with either open or confined water that enables the demonstration and practice of snorkelling techniques
• participants to take part in the snorkelling activity
• snorkelling, safety, rescue and first aid equipment
• resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document snorkelling activity 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 planning and guiding processes and interacting with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge and application of legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all snorkelling activities
• observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing conditions and equipment failure
• review of snorkelling activity 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:

• SROSNK201A Participate in snorkelling 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.

Condition of participants  may include:

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

Activity plan  may include:

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

Industry criteria  may include:

• British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)
• Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
• SCUBA Schools International (SSI).

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
• time and budget constraints
• communication protocols
• code of ethics
• confidentiality of participant information
• minimal impact codes.

Activity objectives  may include:

• meeting people
• fitness targets
• adventure and recreation.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• dangerous animals and insects
• 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
• 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.

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 tide times
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• group objectives
• group size.

Equipment  may include:

• snorkel
• mask
• boots
• fins
• dive knife and or tool
• wet suit
• weight system or buoyancy control
• safety and rescue equipment
• first aid equipment
• exposure protection.

Relevant information  may include:

• personal equipment requirements
• safety procedures
• snorkelling techniques
• risk and hazard prevention and management responsible and safe behaviour.

Snorkelling techniques  may include:

• entering and exiting the water
• breathing through a snorkel
• clearing a snorkel and mask
• equalising to clear water from ears
• swimming and diving on a snorkel
• conducting snorkel dive rescues.

Variable factors  may include:

• change of weather
• equipment failure
• water 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.