Required skills

communication skills to inform progress and interact with other participants

problemsolving skills to

identify and negotiate obstacles and hazards when abseiling in canyons

deal with unpredictable nonroutine and emergency situations

assess application of rope tension when belaying

planning and organising skills to access resources and equipment for the canyoning activity

self management skills to review and reflect on own performance

abseiling and belaying skills to apply as part of the canyoning activity

swimming and navigation skills to safely travel through difficult canyon conditions

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all canyoning activities

minimal impact techniques to minimise environmental impact of canyoning activities

equipment types characteristics and technology used for canyoning the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment

factors affecting selection use care and maintenance of equipment and clothing

advanced canyoning techniques and common communication methods and calls used between abseilers and belayers to reduce risk during multi pitch abseiling

lay techniques and devices appropriate for activity including anchor selection and rigging of abseils

technical abseiling and belaying knowledge such as common improvisation techniques and procedures to suit the unpredictable and possible extreme canyoning conditions

knots and rope handling to maintain adequate rope tension when belaying

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity

hazards obstacles and risks commonly associated with canyoning

emergency procedures 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

applies relevant processes to plan equipment and supply requirements for canyoning activities performed in difficult conditions

conducts preactivity checks of the canyon site and equipment to identify potential hazards obstacles and risks and applies risk minimisation techniques and maintenance within own area of responsibility

demonstrates advanced canyoning skills such as negotiating a vertical multi pitch using abseiling and belaying and communication systems

negotiates obstacles and hazards during canyoning activities and adapts to unpredictable nonroutine and emergency situations that may arise

evaluates and reflects on own canyoning performance to identify strengths and weaknesses and areas that need improvement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple advanced vertical canyoning activities within the current or intended context of the candidates work region to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

resources and information such as meteorological data to plan for the canyoning activity

a suitable outdoor environment with a canyoning site with difficult and or nonroutine multi pitches

canyoning abseiling and belaying navigation safety and first aid communication and repair 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

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all canyoning activities

observation of safe participation and demonstration of multi pitch abseiling and belaying skills in difficult and unpredictable canyoning conditions

observation of dealing with contingencies such as equipment failure or change in weather conditions

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

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

SISCAQUA Perform basic water rescues

SISCAQU202A Perform basic water rescues

SISOCAYA Establish complex belays in canyons

SISOCAY406A Establish complex belays in canyons.

Food and water requirements may include:

Principles of nutrition may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Relevant sources may include:

Weather and environmental information may include:

Pre activity checks must include:

Equipment may include:

Contextual issues may include:

Safety checks may include:

Difficult conditions may include:

Descending devices may include:

Knots may include:

Belay systems may include:

Hazards may include:

Obstacles may include:

Risks may include:

Hydrological formations may include:

Emergency situations may include:

Belay devices may include:

Maintenance checks and repairs may include:

Relevant aspects may include: