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 kayaking session.

1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics .

1.2. Assess participant's current kayaking knowledge in order to determine the session's aims and objectives .

1.3. Determine an appropriate instructional plan  according to participant's needs and characteristics.

1.4. Develop a kayaking plan  according to participant's needs and characteristics, relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.5. Identify potential hazards  associated with kayaking on Grade 3 water  and minimise risks , according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.6. Access relevant sources  to interpret detailed weather and environmental information  and determine contingency plans .

2. Select and organise equipment and resources.

2.1. Select and access equipment  and resources  according to contextual issues  and organisational policies and procedures, and check working condition.

2.2. Check equipment for safety and suitability, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer's recommendations, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.

2.3. Check contents of first aid and repair kits to ensure suitability to the location and activity.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information  about the kayaking session in a manner appropriate to the participants.

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

3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while kayaking.

3.4. Inform participants of known and anticipated hazards, safety procedures  and appropriate behaviour.

3.5. Check and confirm that all participant equipment is fitted and adjusted.

4. Instruct a kayaking session.

4.1. Conduct warm up and or introductory activities for participants to reduce the risk of injury.

4.2. Apply instructional techniques  to impart required knowledge , kayaking skills  and safety and rescue procedures .

4.3. Observe participants during kayaking, and adjust or refine individual and or group technique as required.

4.4. Allow time for cooling down at the end of the session, and inform participants of opportunities to further develop their kayaking skills and knowledge.

5. Complete post session responsibilities.

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

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

5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects  of kayaking session, and determine the level of learning achieved.

5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future kayaking instructional sessions.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

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

• problem-solving skills to:

• plan a suitable kayaking session according to participant's needs and characteristics
• address participant difficulties in developing kayaking techniques
• anticipate and respond to non-routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and a suitable body of water
• monitor and evaluate progress
• organise participants into manageable groups for kayaking

• language and literacy skills to:

• produce kayaking and instructional plans for the kayaking session
• complete post session participant and self evaluations

• personal kayaking skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain kayaking techniques to participants
• swimming skills to remove self from danger after a capsize and to manoeuvre kayak while in paddling gear
• river reading skills, such as direction and speed of flow, currents, eddies and other hydrological features that may impact on paddling and safety
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies whilst instructing kayaking on Grade 3 water.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of kayaking sessions
• information about local location to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential kayaking hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the location
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for kayaking on Grade 3 water, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment
• clothing and footwear requirements for kayaking to ensure comfort and safety
• care and maintenance of kayaking equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements
• instruction techniques and theories applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities
• kayaking techniques and common communication systems used between craft on rivers to reduce risk during kayaking
• technical kayaking knowledge, such as paddling, capsizing and rolling techniques used on Grade 3 water
• hydrology and river features including currents, banks, change in gradient and volume, and how these might impact on the kayaking session
• swimming techniques to swim out of trouble and manoeuvre kayak while in water
• communication systems and signals used on rivers
• navigation techniques to determine location and direction
• weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their effect on the session
• hazards commonly experienced on Grade 3 water and ways to avoid or negotiate these
• emergency procedures, rescues, potential hazards and obstacles relevant to the location 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 and delivers information, explanations and demonstrations for kayaking session 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 kayaking performance
• uses and modifies instructional techniques and or activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles
• evaluates and reflects on own instruction performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure instruction of kayaking activities 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:

• resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, instruct and document kayaking sessions
• a Grade 3 body of water suitable for the conduct of instructional sessions
• a group of participants to take part in the kayaking session
• kayaking, navigation, communication, safety, first aid and teaching equipment.

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 processes, such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge and application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all kayaking activities during the session
• observation of safe kayaking instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics
• portfolio of kayaking session 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:

• SISOWWR403A Perform complex white water rescues and recoveries.

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.

Characteristics  may include:

• age
• cultural and situational factors
• previous experience and knowledge
• physical development.

Session's aims and objectives  may include:

• developing kayaking skills
• education
• development
• therapy
• fitness targets
• recreation.

Instructional plan  may include:

• kayaking activities and drills
• duration of activities and drills.

Kayaking plan  may include:

• aims and objectives
• date, time and duration
• location, equipment and resources
• instructor and participant ratios
• safety requirements.

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
• use and maintenance of equipment
• communication protocols
• confidentiality of participant information
• instructor and participant ratios
• emergency and safety procedures
• international river grading system
• code of ethics.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• slippery or unstable terrain
• dangerous animals and insects
• stinging trees and nettles
• dense vegetation
• group management hazards.

Grade 3 water  may include:

• rivers with broken, moving water
• rapids with waves 1-2metre
• stoppers, strong eddies, exposed rocks.

Risks  may include:

• hypothermia
• heat exhaustion
• injuries
• exhaustion
• lost party or party member
• equipment and course 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.

Contingency plans  may include:

• change in weather and conditions
• equipment failure.

Equipment  may include:

• personal flotation device
• paddle with leash
• spray deck
• wet suit or wet weather gear
• ropes
• tie down straps
• safety and first aid equipment
• pumps
• sponges
• paddle float.

Resources  may include:

• food and water
• clothing and footwear
• teaching aids.

Contextual issues  may include:

• weather conditions, including times
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• group objectives
• group size.

Relevant information  may include:

• risk and hazard prevention and management
• kayaking techniques
• safety procedures
• responsible and safe behaviour.

Safety procedures  may include:

• capsizing procedures
• rolling procedures
• communication systems
• use of safety and rescue equipment.

Instructional techniques  may include:

• simple to complex
• part to whole
• chronological
• known to unknown
• D.E.D.I.C.T.
• E.D.I.C.T.
• I.D.E.A.
• orientate, enhance, synthesise

Required knowledge  may include:

• kayaking skills and techniques
• river features and hydrology
• minimal impact practices
• risk and hazard management
• communication systems used in kayaking.

Kayaking skills  may include:

• stroke techniques
• directing and manoeuvring a kayak in a controlled manner
• capsizing and rolling procedures.

Safety and rescue procedures  may include:

• emergency response procedures
• group management in emergency situations
• symptoms, treatment and prevention of common kayaking risks.

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.