Unit of competency details

Elements and Performance Criteria 

Element 

Performance Criteria 

1

1  Make logistical arrangements 

1.1

Evaluate the suitability of a range of possible activity sites/locations to select one which is appropriate to personal objectives

1.2

Source and apply local area knowledge to assist in the planning process  

1.3

Identify and comply with statutory and organisational procedures  

1.4

Identify and select where appropriate, specific sites within the designated activity location for use with reference to minimal impact on the environment

1.5

Identify hazards  associated with the activity and implement risk minimisation procedures within the control of the participant during the planning and preparation

2

2  Select and use suitable outdoor equipment 

2.1

Identify equipment  needs after consideration of contextual issues  

2.2

Identify and evaluate sources of equipment  according to needs

2.3

Source equipment  a suitable time prior to the activity to allow for checking

2.4

Check equipment  for serviceability to ensure that it is in good working order

2.5

Confirm suitability of equipment  to individual needs and conditions

2.6

Prepare equipment  for transportation to activity location in a manner to minimise loss or damage

2.7

Use equipment  in accordance with operational procedures and/or manufacturer's recommendations to ensure that design limits are not exceeded

2.8

Adjust and fit, where necessary, equipment  to ensure comfort and safety

2.9

Monitor equipment  for wear and damage during use and prior to storage and refer damaged equipment  to the appropriate person

2.10

Store equipment  in a suitable manner according to organisational procedures and/or manufacturer's recommendations

3

3  Identify, plan and monitor food requirements 

3.1

Analyse  food requirements and apply this analysis to select and maintain intake, based on principles of nutrition and energy requirements for conditions and type of activity

3.2

Ensure menu planning and preparation is appropriate for dietary requirements and personal tastes within the activity constraints 

3.3

Apply knowledge of the range of food products available to select food which is most appropriate based on perishability, packaging and storage considerations

3.4

Identify and plan for emergency food requirements

4

4  Identify and plan for water needs and usage 

4.1

Calculate fluid requirements, based on the requirements of a particular activity

4.2

Identify elements to consider when calculating fluid requirements

4.3

Access information on water purification techniques appropriate to the water source

4.4

Outline the range of water purification techniques available and demonstrate use of purification resources appropriate to the water source

4.5

Prepare water for carrying and storage in a manner appropriate to the activity and to minimise potential breakage of container

5

5  Identify and plan clothing requirements 

5.1

Identify causes of heat loss and heat exhaustion /stroke during an activity

5.2

Select clothing suitable to the activity, based on consideration of contextual issues,  as well as a knowledge of the principles of clothing selection and an application of knowledge of the features and limitations of different fabrics

6

6  Participate in an outdoor activity 

6.1

Determine and comply with statutory and organisational procedures  applicable to the activity and activity site/location

6.2

Establish temporary sites , where required, to ensure comfort, safety and minimal impact

7

7  Deal with non-routine situations 

7.1

Assess the non-routine situation  and establish the need for improvised equipment  or techniques

7.2

Identify current resources that can be used for improvised techniques or equipment 

7.3

Ensure consideration is given to the ability to acquire new or additional resources

7.4

Evaluate the ability to improvise with current resources whilst maintaining the safety of the activity

7.5

Demonstrate the ability to improvise equipment  and/or techniques to deal with non-routine situations 

7.6

Modify the activity, where necessary, to accommodate the use of improvised equipment  or circumstances

The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects, knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. This is an integral part of the assessment of competence and should be read in conjunction with the Range Statements

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered 

Assessment must confirm sufficient knowledge of the factors influencing the selection and preparation of equipment and its use, as well as food, fluid and clothing requirements for independent participation in outdoor recreation activities

Assessment of performance should be over a minimum of three (3) different occasions covering all prescribed categories from the Range Statements that are applicable to planning for and participation in outdoor activities independently in conditions as specified in the Range Statements in a range of typical weather conditions at a range of different locations or sites

Assessment must confirm the ability to apply this knowledge and appropriate techniques to

apply knowledge of factors affecting the context in order to plan for safe participation

apply in-depth knowledge of equipment and clothing suitable to different contexts

discriminate between features of relevant equipment and clothing

define requirements for specific needs

select the most appropriate equipment, food and clothing

plan for contingencies

operate independently (as part of a group or team) in both routine and predictable non-routine situations

use knowledge of equipment to select and use that which is most appropriate in different contexts

establish and maintain in a safe manner all categories of temporary site relevant to outdoor recreation participation, minimising environmental impact

maintain personal physiological well-being during activities in a range of typical weather condition

Interdependent assessment of units 

This unit must be assessed after attainment of competency in the following unit(s)

Nil

This unit must be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)

Nil

For the purpose of integrated assessment, this unit may be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)

SROOPS003B Apply weather information

SRONAV002B Navigate in difficult or trackless areas

Required knowledge and skills 

Required knowledge (at a level to undertake activities independently)

Minimal impact codes and practices

Factors that affect physiological well-being to assist in the planning of food, water and clothing

Factors affecting the selection of general equipment used in outdoor activities

advantages

disadvantages

construction features

cost

ability to repair

Dietary requirements when participating in outdoor activities, and the types of food which can supply these requirements  

Types of food available to suit activity constraints

Types of cooking apparatus available for use in outdoor activities, their advantages and disadvantages

Clothing requirements for outdoor activities and general principles affecting clothing selection, eg, layering principle, protective clothing

Hazard identification in order to develop and apply risk minimisation strategies

General land management and legislative requirements which may apply to participation in outdoor activities 

Use of general equipment in an outdoor recreation context

torches

tents

backpacks

water bottles

Water purification methods and equipment  

Effects of weather conditions on performance and requirements

Contents for first aid kits used in outdoor activities

Communication techniques used in outdoor activities

Required skills (at a level to undertake activities independently)

Food preparation in an hygienic manner in an outdoor environment 

Cooking on fires/fuel stoves

Communication strategies in an outdoor activity and use of communication equipment

Resource implications 

Physical resources - assessment of this unit of competency requires access to

a range of general outdoor equipment, eg, tents, stoves, torches

a range of types of general outdoor clothing, eg, raincoats, footwear, jackets

associated resources and information on typical outdoor activity locations/venues and clothing

Human resources - assessment of this unit of competency will require human resources consistent with those outlined in the Assessment Guidelines. That is, assessors (or persons within the assessment team) must

be competent in this unit but preferably be competent in the unit at the level above, i.e., SROODR003A

be competent, as a minimum, in the units SRXFAD001A, SRXRIK001A and SRXEMR001A to ensure adequate risk management during the assessment

be current in their knowledge and understanding of the industry through provision of evidence of professional activity in the relevant area

have attained the mandatory competency requirements for assessors under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) as specified in Standard 7.3 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 

Consistency in performance 

Due to issues such as variations in contextual issues, this unit of competency must be assessed over a minimum of three (3) different occasions in order to ensure consistency of performance over the Range Statements and contexts applicable to applying general principles of independent participation in outdoor activities

Context for assessment 

For valid and reliable assessment this unit of competency must be assessed in the context of participation in a real outdoor recreation activity

Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on required knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes

Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a 'period of time' and/or in a 'number of locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

KEY COMPETENCIES 

Collect, Analyse&Organise Information

Communicate Ideas&Information

Plan&Organise Activities

Work with Others&in Teams

Use Mathematical Ideas&Techniques

Solve Problems

Use Technology

2

2

2

2

2

2

1

These levels do not relate to the Australian Qualifications Framework. They relate to the seven areas of generic competency that underpin effective workplace practices.

The three levels of performance (1, 2 and 3) denote the level of competency required to perform the task:

Use routine approaches

Select from routine approaches

Establish new approaches

Collecting , analysing and organising information  - Evaluating possible activity sites/locations to determine the most appropriate within the particular contextual issues 

Communicating ideas and information  - Liaising with land managers in order to comply with statutory requirements

Planning and organising activities  - Planning equipment needs, sources of equipment and most appropriate equipment for the site/location

Working with teams and others  - Planning and organising group equipment requirements

Using mathematical ideas and techniques  - Calculating food and water requirements

Solving problems  - Selecting equipment and clothing which meets activity constraints (eg, weight constraints) but which adequately maintains physiological well-being

Using technology  - Using technology to access information about activity sites/locations

Please refer to the Assessment Guidelines for advice on how to use the Key Competencies.

Range Statements 

The Range Statements provide advice to interpret the scope and context of this unit of competence, allowing for differences between enterprises and workplaces. The Range Statements relate to the unit as a whole and helps facilitate holistic assessment. In addition, the following variables may be present for this particular unit of competency

RANGE STATEMENT 

CATEGORIES 

Activity constraints 

[all categories]

all factors which may impact upon food and water requirements within a particular activity, including

weight constraints

carrying capacity

cooking method available

water availability

length/duration of activity

temperature/season

budget

Contextual issues 

[all categories]

includes all factors which may impact upon the particular activity

season

activity location

time of day

weather

length of activity

participant size and ability

weight constraints of activity

destination

condition of terrain, activity location or medium

group needs

unsupervised

Equipment 

[all categories]

includes all aspects of general outdoor equipment required for participation

general outdoor equipment, eg, tents, backpacks, stoves, torches

personal equipment, eg, jackets, raincoats

safety equipment, eg, first aid kit

group equipment, eg, communications

Hazards 

[all categories]

potential terrain hazards

environmental hazards

heat

cold

rain

snow

flood

fire

storms

ice

people hazards

equipment failure

Improvised equipment 

[all categories]

repaired equipment

protective clothing

shelters

first aid resources, eg, slings, bandages  

emergency response resources, eg, stretchers, splints

Non -routine situations 

[all categories]

may include

lost or damaged equipment

unseasonal weather conditions

injuries

emergencies

communication breakdowns

phobias and panic in other group members

characteristics of other group members

weight

size

physical ability

cultural background

Planning process 

[all categories]

access

start

finish

emergency

transport

viability

weather considerations

environmental factors

Statutory and organisational procedures 

[all categories]

include

permits from management authorities

authority/permission from landowners

documented operating procedures and organisation/enterprise policies

Temporary sites 

[all categories]

includes sites used as

rest stops

activity sites

temporary or overnight shelter