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. Apply the rules of surf life saving at the beginner level.

1.1. Assess conditions  for a surf life saving event according to the organisation's rules and regulations , requirements of the beginner level  event, relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.2. Assess external influences , safety aspects and risks prior to commencement of the event.

1.3. Observe the event, with minimal disruption, to ensure it is conducted according to the organisation's rules and regulations .

1.4. Identify and document breaches of rules and regulations.

1.5. Interpret and apply the rules and regulations according to current guidelines and national trends  of surf life saving.

1.6. Make consistent decisions based on relevant information , fairness, equity and participant safety.

2. Use communication strategies to officiate surf life saving.

2.1. Communicate decisions and manage the outcomes of decision making according to the fundamental rules and regulations  of surf life saving.

2.2. Explain and convey decisions to competitors, other officials  and spectators

2.3. Respond to competitors and other officials  according to the given situation .

2.4. Use fundamental auditory devices and signals  to clearly convey decisions to competitors when officiating .

2.5. Receive and discuss feedback from competitors and other officials in a positive and constructive manner.

2.6. Implement changes to improve the quality of officiating according to informal discussions with relevant persons .

3. Demonstrate positioning skills to officiate surf life saving.

3.1. Adopt appropriate position to marshal, start and judge surf life saving events at the beginner level.

3.2. Identify and document external influences  and conditions for adjusting position when officiating surf life saving events.

3.3. Move to maintain optimal position to view events and record results according to the rules and regulations .

4. Assist in the prevention of emergencies in competitions.

4.1. Identify basic types, principles and limitations of emergency equipment , facilities and resources  located in the competition area.

4.2. Check the immediate competition area regularly and identify potential hazards  and risks  which may lead to emergencies.

4.3. Apply or recommend procedures to minimise or prevent emergencies from occurring.

4.4. Correct hazards  where possible and report to supervisor of competition or other appropriate person according to organisational policies and procedures and rules and regulations .

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• indicate decisions to competitors and other officials
• confirm decisions of other officials
• develop rapport with competitors and other officials
• confirm information is understood by all relevant persons

• planning and organising skills to maintain position when marshalling, starting, judging and recording events
• self-management skills to respond appropriately to criticism
• literacy skills to:

• record event results
• complete reports for supervisor of competition where required

• problem-solving skills to document and address breaches of rules and regulations 
• numeracy skills to record event results.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of surf life saving events
• fundamental rules and regulations and nipper rules and regulations of surf life saving to officiate effectively at the beginner level
• safety requirements of surf life saving to conduct a safe competition suitable for beginners
• presentation requirements, including use of fundamental auditory devices and body language to present decisions clearly and effectively
• teamwork and communication processes to develop rapport with other officials and achieve set goals
• recording procedures to record competition results
• positioning principles to maintain optimal position to view competitors
• hazards and risks involved in the surf life saving environment at beginner level and safety and emergency procedures to minimise or prevent emergencies from occurring.

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:

• assesses external influences and conditions for surf life saving competition prior to commencement and applies the rules and regulations of surf life saving at the beginner level
• makes consistent decisions and communicates these to competitors, other officials, coaches and spectators
• conveys a confident and friendly manner and maintains optimal position to marshal, start, judge and record events throughout the competition
• reports potential emergency situations and takes appropriate action to correct hazards and minimise risks.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure demonstration of officiating multiple surf life saving events at the beginner level to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• surf life saving events, with facilities and conditions suitable for beginner level competitors
• competitors competing at club or branch level
• surf life saving equipment
• officiating equipment and resources.

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 identifying breaches of rules and regulations by competitors and other officials
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of the rules and regulations of surf life saving as they apply to events at the beginner level
• observation of applying communication and positioning techniques while officiating surf life saving events at the beginner level
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing officiating performance.

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

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:

• environment
• facilities
• equipment
• resources.

Rules and regulations  may include:

• Surf Life Saving Australia competition manual
• Surf Life Saving Australia supplementary regulations
• nipper rules and regulations of surf life saving
• competition bulletins.

Beginner level  may include:

• without experience in surf life saving officiating
• over 16 years of age.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• environmental regulations
• working with children
• anti-doping policy
• harassment-free sport policies.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• conflict resolution
• communication protocols
• procedures for officiating surf life saving events for beginners
• code of ethics.

External influences  may include:

• water and beach conditions
• weather conditions
• spectators.

National trends  may include:

• competition and event safety
• sportsmanship
• code of conduct
• Surf Life Saving Australia policies.

Information  may include:

• competition qualification policy and categories
• dress of competitors
• sponsor identification
• gear specifications
• scrutineering
• competition area and beach positions
• setting of competition courses
• competitor limitations
• timing, scoring, recording and reporting
• marshalling
• type of event or discipline.

Fundamental rules and regulations  may include:

• course layout
• starting
• finishing
• judging
• reporting.

Other officials  may include:

• judges
• scrutineers
• timekeepers
• marshals
• result recorders
• team managers
• coaches.

Relevant persons  may include:

• competitors
• other officials
• administrators
• parents.

Hazards  may include:

• weather, water and beach conditions
• gear and equipment
• aquatic life
• debris
• public and spectators.

Risks  may include:

• dehydration
• sun burn
• injuries
• collisions
• hypothermia
• drowning.