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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for the paddle.
   • Select clothing, footwear, personal protective and other equipment suitable for the paddle and conditions, and check for safe working condition.
   • Carry, prepare craft and complete safety and serviceability checks.
   • Waterproof, pack and stow clothing, personal resources, and food according to access requirements during paddle.
   • Interpret planned course from activity plans and maps to assist in following the course.
   • Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.
   • Confirm protocols for communications between paddlers.
   • Fit and adjust personal protective equipment to ensure comfort and safety.
2. Paddle and manoeuvre kayaks on flatwater.
   • Embark and launch kayak from bank, shore or jetty while maintaining stability.
   • Control direction of kayak forward, in reverse and sideways using a range of appropriate strokes and edges.
   • Maintain appropriate posture, use of trunk rotation, paddle and blade to efficiently paddle the kayak.
   • Establish and maintain an appropriate paddling rhythm and pace to minimise fatigue, strain and injury.
   • Safely approach, and negotiate obstacles and hazards to minimise risk of injury.
   • Maintain visual contact and effective communication with party members throughout all activities.
   • Monitor party formation, paddling pace and space between kayaks and make required adjustments.
3. Rescue self following a capsize.
   • Exit the kayak in a controlled manner, following a capsize, and recover paddle.
   • Manoeuvre the paddle and upturned kayak to shore or to rescue craft and empty out water.
   • Use techniques when in deep water to empty water and re-enter kayak.
4. Perform deep water rescues in flatwater conditions.
   • Identify immediate hazards, assess risks and negotiate to avoid injury to self and others.
   • Select and use other leaders or party members, equipment and rescue techniques appropriate to situation.
   • Manoeuvre rescue craft to capsized party member, forming a raft-up as required.
   • Provide clear and concise instructions to person being rescued and others assisting.
   • Assist rescuee to return to their craft using rescue technique appropriate to situation.
   • Assess ability of rescuee to continue and tow to nearest safe landing, as required.
5. Land and secure kayaks.
   • Land and disembark kayak at bank, shore or jetty while maintaining stability.
   • Secure kayak to bank, shore or jetty using appropriate knots.
   • Secure kayak for road transport using suitable methods.