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 intermediate surf life saving sessions.

1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics .

1.2. Assess participant's readiness  and current knowledge of surf life saving in order to determine session's aims and objectives .

1.3. Develop a plan  according to participant's needs and characteristics, relevant legislation , organisational policies and procedures  and endorsed standards promoted by surf life saving .

1.4. Identify safety procedures  associated with surf life saving drills , activities and games  according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.5. Select and access location, equipment  and resources  according to organisational policies and procedures.

2. Brief participants.

2.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the surf life saving session in a manner appropriate to the participants .

2.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.

2.3. Inform participants of known and anticipated risks , safety procedures, appropriate behaviour and intermediate surf life saving rules and regulations .

2.4. Establish a suitable communication system  to use while participating in surf life saving drills, activities and games.

3. Conduct intermediate surf life saving session or sessions.

3.1. Apply clear and accurate teaching and coaching techniques  to impart required knowledge  and the requirements of the intermediate skills of surf life saving  to be developed.

3.2. Advise procedures for dealing with emergency and non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.

3.3. Conduct warm-up and introductory activities for participants, to reduce the risk of injury.

3.4. Monitor individual participant's performance  and maintain effective communication during intermediate surf life saving drills, activities and games.

3.5. Observe participants during intermediate surf life saving drills, activities and games, and adjust or refine individual or group techniques as required.

3.6. Allow time for cooling down at the end of the session and inform participants of opportunities to further develop their surf life saving skills.

4. Complete post-session responsibilities.

4.1. Provide opportunities for participants to identify their personal progress and satisfaction with the session and give feedback as required.

4.2. Evaluate relevant aspects  of intermediate surf life saving session and determine the level of learning achieved.

4.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future intermediate surf life saving sessions.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• consult with participants to plan an intermediate surf life saving session that meets their needs
• convey information about the safety aspects of the session
• interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

• problem-solving skills to:

• address participant difficulties in developing skills and techniques
• anticipate and respond appropriately to non-routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and a suitable location
• observe, monitor and evaluate progress
• organise participants into manageable groups for drills, activities and games

• language and literacy skills to:

• produce a plan for the intermediate surf life saving sessions
• complete post-session participant and self-evaluations
• give and receive feedback

• numeracy skills to support effective time management to deliver drills, activities and games within session timeframes
• personal intermediate surf life saving skills to a high level of technical correctness to:

• understand the biomechanics and progressive skill acquisition of surf life saving
• demonstrate, explain and break down skills and techniques to participants

• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location.

Required knowledge 

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures, and rules and regulations of surf life saving to enable safe and non-discriminatory conduct of sessions
• location-specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential risks, and any special restrictions applying to the location
• equipment and resources used to teach and develop intermediate skills of surf life saving
• teaching and coaching techniques to suit a range of participant's needs, characteristics and learning styles
• characteristics of a range of physical abilities, fitness and motor performance to enable assessment of participant readiness
• intermediate skills of surf life saving and specific drills, activities and games that promote progressive skill acquisition in individuals and groups
• communication systems used in a surf life saving environment
• risks commonly associated with intermediate level surf life saving, and methods of mitigating these risks
• emergency response and safety procedures appropriate for surf life saving, to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

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 and delivers precise relevant information, explanations and demonstrations for surf life saving session or sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs and characteristics
• observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve and develop the intermediate skills of surf life saving
• uses and modifies teaching and coaching techniques and drills, activities and games to cater for a range of individual learning styles
• evaluates and reflects on own coaching performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure demonstration of the conduct of drills, activities and games that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• a beach, pool and club house for training
• a group of participants at an intermediate level surf life saving level
• 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:

• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, and rules and regulations of surf life saving to enable safe conduct of all drills, activities and games during the sessions
• observation of providing clear instruction and monitoring and adjusting individual and group technique where required
• portfolio of session plans and self-evaluations
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing 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.

Participant's needs and characteristics  may include:

• age
• cultural and situational factors
• previous experience
• fitness level and physical capabilities
• injuries and illnesses.

Readiness  may include:

• fitness level
• motor performance
• social
• psychological
• emotional.

Session's aims and objectives  may include:

• progressive skill acquisition
• self-improvement
• fitness targets
• intermediate movements
• biomechanical principles.

Plan  may include:

• session's aims and objectives
• date, time and duration
• location, equipment and resources
• coach and participant ratios
• drills, activities and games
• safety requirements.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• privacy
• working with children
• environmental regulations
• harassment-free sports policies.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• conflict resolution
• communication protocols
• use, care and maintenance of equipment
• training and scheduling commitments
• code of ethics.

Endorsed standards  may include:

• Surf Life Saving Australia Code of Conduct policy
• culture of surf life saving
• local council by-laws and regulations
• Australian Sports Commission Harassment-free Sport policy.

Safety procedures  may include:

• group management in emergency situations
• symptoms, treatment and prevention of common surf life saving injuries
• clear communication systems
• life guards on duty.

Drills , activities and games  may include:

• those designed to teach the intermediate skills of surf life saving as described in Surf Life Saving Australia Coaching Course
• beach, surf, pool activities
• modified games.

Equipment  may include:

• boards, skis and paddles
• flags
• inflatable rescue boat (IRB)
• reel and rescue equipment
• marker buoys.

Resources  may include:

• life guards
• teaching and coaching tools
• food and water
• clothing and footwear
• sun protection
• first aid kit.

Risks  may include:

• injuries
• illness
• collision.

Rules and regulations  may include:

• local, national and international rules of surf life saving
• best practice codes of ethics:

• Surf Life Saving Australia Code of Ethics
• Surf Life Saving Australia Anti-doping policy
• Australian Sports Commission Harassment-free Sport policy
• age restrictions.

Communication system  may include:

• verbal, non-verbal and written modes
• terminology and language to suit group.

Teaching and coaching techniques  may include:

• demonstrating skills
• whole and part approaches
• shaping and modelling approaches
• reciprocal or peer tutoring
• reinforcement, feedback and correctional techniques
• assessment and evaluation
• repetition and practice of skills.

Required knowledge  may include:

• rules and regulations of surf life saving
• intermediate surf life saving skills
• biomechanical principles
• factors affecting skill acquisition
• communication systems used in surf life saving.

Intermediate skills of surf life saving  may include:

• skill level for athlete at regional or competition level
• beach sprints
• surf board and ski paddling
• surf boat rowing
• inflatable rescue boat
• reel and rescue
• surf swimming.

Participant's performance  may include:

• performance and accuracy of intermediate skills
• attitude and behaviour.

Relevant aspects  may include:

• effectiveness of the teaching and coaching session
• suitability of teaching and coaching methods
• feedback provided to or by participants
• initial and final assessment of participant's abilities
• validity and reliability of assessment and evaluation tools.