Unit of competency

Modification History

Not applicable.

Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to supervise the safety of patrons in indoor or outdoor, built or natural swimming venues.

This unit applies to aquatic venues used by members of the public including those operated by commercial, not-for-profit, community and government organisations.

It has particular application to lifeguards but can apply to other workers required to supervise aquatic venues, patrons and activities. They use discretion and judgement to manage risk, problems and emergencies when they arise, guided by established organisational procedures.

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.

No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Aquatics

Unit Sector

Community Recreation

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

Unit Mapping Information

Supersedes and is not equivalent to SISCAQU006 Supervise clients in aquatic locations.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Not applicable.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

• communicate with aquatic venue patrons in a positive and constructive way to resolve the following situations:

• unsafe patron behaviour
• breaches of safety rules by patrons
• difficulty of at-risk persons with special needs

• participate in one discussion with an aquatic activity leader to clarify safety rules for the activity
• according to simulated activities or case studies:

• identify and assess one emergency situation
• report details and convey essential response actions to venue manager.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

• basic understanding of industry guidelines and standards relevant to aquatic supervision and how these are used by aquatic operators
• organisational procedures for aquatic venue supervision, risk management of patron safety, and emergency response
• role responsibilities, boundaries, and reporting lines for:

• those supervising patron safety, particularly lifeguards
• other supervising activity leaders including swim teachers, aqua exercise instructors and coaches

• supervision techniques and scanning strategies used in aquatic venues, and advantages of each:

• dividing venue into zones
• using vantage points
• positioning supervisor for clear view of activity
• rotating position of supervisor, and typical rotational timeframes
• maintaining attention and vigilance
• patrolling different venue areas

• current and emerging environmental and site hazards and ways to adapt supervision when these are present, including:

• unfavourable weather conditions for outdoor areas
• reflective glare
• unclear and turbulent water
• busy sites involving multiple stimuli and visually cluttered scenes
• quiet sites involving minimal stimuli and monotonous scenes

• typical aquatic venue safety rules applicable to different types of activities, and rationale for rules
• hazardous patron behaviour, associated risks, indicative signs, and corrective responses:

• swimming in unsafe areas
• swimming and participating in activities beyond their ability
• swimming while affected by alcohol and drugs
• misusing equipment
• diving into shallow water
• endangering the safety of others
• inadequate supervision of young children by parents or carers

• types of in and out of the water risks associated with patrons who have special needs, and ways that risks can be managed through supervision and communication:

• non-swimmers
• weak swimmers
• unhealthy and unfit swimmers
• individuals with disability
• young children
• older persons
• patrons from diverse cultural backgrounds

• signs and signals of critical incidents and patron emergencies, including those for:

• patrons experiencing difficulty in the water including uncontrolled swimming, and active and passive distress behaviours
• injuries
• medical events

• importance of promptly reporting emergencies, and:

• organisational reporting lines
• communication protocols for using phones and radio
• relevant information conveyed

• assertive and constructive verbal communication techniques used to:

• direct patrons to comply with rules and safety practices
• negotiate calm conflict resolutions.

Assessment Conditions

Skills can be demonstrated in:

• an aquatic workplace, or
• a simulated industry environment set up for the purposes of skills assessment.

Assessment must ensure use of:

• interaction with aquatic venue patrons and activity leaders; these can be:

• patrons and activity leaders in a workplace, or
• individuals who participate in simulations used for the purpose of skills assessment

• communication equipment for emergency response
• organisational procedures for aquatic venue supervision, risk management of patron safety, and emergency response.

Assessors must:

• satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and
• have workplace experience where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency over a period of two years working in industry.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b