Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISORAF403A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Guide a raft on Grade 4 rapids

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISORAF403A - Guide a raft on Grade 4 rapids
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to control a raft as a guide with a crew on grade 4 rapids according to the prescribed trip plan.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those working as rafting guides in a range of conditions on grade 4 rapids.This unit applies to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups, not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Plan for a rafting activity.
  • Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues.
  • Confirm the chosen location or section of river for the trip is suitable according to participants' abilities, aims and objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Implement the trip plan as designed by the trip leader according to the participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Choose a route or course that minimises environmental damage.
  • Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plan.
  • Identify hazards and obstacles associated with the rafting trip and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
       
Element: Select equipment.
  • Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip.
  • Fit and adjust equipment according to manufacturer's specifications to ensure comfort and safety.
  • Assess raft for safety and suitability and check that it is inflated to the required pressure.
  • Select safety and rescue equipment according to the activity location.
  • Waterproof, pack and fasten equipment that is not required on hand to ensure that it is not lost, damaged or a hindrance and prepare raft for transportation if required.
       
Element: Brief participants.
  • Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip.
  • Communicate relevant information and safety procedures effectively.
  • Arrange seating positions that are appropriate to the size and abilities of the paddlers.
       
Element: Control raft in grade 4 rapids.
  • Conduct a crew drill, informing participants of guide commands and strokes that will be used, and practice participants in the use of these strokes.
  • Apply strokes and paddling manoeuvres effectively to control the raft.
  • Communicate effectively with crew, other guides, trip leader and other river uses.
       
Element: Plan and run a route through a rapid.
  • Scout and assess sections of moving water to identify hydrological features, hazards and impediments.
  • Communicate the selected route to the crew.
  • Negotiate or avoid hazards using a combination of strokes, guide commands and manoeuvres.
  • Apply navigation skills to determine location and follow planned route or course during the activity.
       
Element: Apply capsize and rescue procedures.
  • Maintain appropriate body position in the water to minimise injury or entrapment and apply defensive and aggressive swimming techniques.
  • Maintain a position upstream of the raft and recover paddles.
  • Manage capsize response of crew and equipment.
       
Element: Complete post trip responsibilities.
  • Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisation policies and procedures.
  • Evaluate relevant aspects of the rafting activity trip and complete trip reports according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • Review own performance and identify potential areas of improvement for future rafting trips
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

executes trip plan, including confident delivery of safety briefing and crew drill

applies knowledge of rivers and hydrology by effectively completing a sequence of paddling manoeuvres to negotiate multiple river features in a rapid on multiple occasion. negotiate multiple rapids and hazards using efficient strokes, clear and confident commands on fast currents and applies capsizing techniques and rescue procedures.

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

monitors and maintains the safety of clients and raft equipment and applies effective contingency management to deal with problems and issues that arise during the activity.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation as a guide in rafting activities on grade 4 rapids that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

suitable inland rivers with Grade 4 rapids

resources and information to plan and prepare for the rafting activity

suitable crew

a suitable and safe method of transport, if required to drive raft to and from activity location

rafting, navigation, safety, rescue and communication 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 stroke techniques used to control and manoeuvre the raft through grade 4 rapids

observation of safe participation and demonstration of rafting skills to move in and out of eddies and travel in different directions

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:

SISOWWR404A Perform complex white water rescues and recoveries.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

planning and organising skills to select and allocate rafting equipment according to the trip plan

teamwork skills to:

paddle and maintain control of the raft

assist each other in capsize and rescue procedures

communication skills to:

interact with other participants to negotiate hazards, paddling technique, route or course

respond to instructions and directions from crew and other rafts

problem-solving skills to:

read river direction and speed of flow, currents, eddies and other hydrological features

paddle in different river conditions

apply a range of strokes and paddling manoeuvres to control the raft and negotiate hazards

apply defensive and aggressive swimming to remove self and or others from danger

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

apply complex rescue and recover techniques to minimise damage to equipment and prevent injury to personnel.

Required knowledge

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

equipment and raft types, characteristics and safety features, the advantages and disadvantages, and its care and maintenance to enable appropriate selection and use

selection and use of Personal Flotation Devices and rescue equipment, such as throw bags, to ensure safety of self and raft crew

clothing requirements for rafting such as wet weather gear to maintain warmth and sun protection to minimise sunburn and heat stroke

stroke, directing and signalling techniques to control and manoeuvre the raft on grade 4 rapids

principles of nutrition to maintain health during the rafting activity

weather and environmental information to identify forecast conditions and their effect on the activity

hydrology and river features including currents, banks, change in gradient and volume, and how these might impact on the rafting experience

international river grading system to understand conditions and appropriateness of the river to the level of participants

knots as used to secure raft and perform rescues

defensive and aggressive swimming techniques to swim out of trouble

emergency and rescue procedures appropriate for the raft and location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group

broad range of rescue and recovery techniques.

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.

Food and water requirements may include:

menu planning and preparation

range of foods.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines

individual food requirements and allergies.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Aims and objectives may include:

self improvement

social

fitness targets

adventure and recreation

outdoor education

wilderness therapy.

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

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

code of ethics.

Plan may include:

aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location, equipment and resources

safety and emergency requirements

river levels and section.

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

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards slippery or unstable shore

poor posture, poor technique

poor carrying techniques

poor carrying techniques

loose or insecure craft when being transported

other craft.

Obstacles may include:

rocks

strainer

rocks

stoppers or holes

waterfalls

sieves

other crafts

change in river conditions.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment and course failure.

Equipment may include:

rafting equipment

navigation equipment

safety and rescue equipment

communication equipment.

Safety and rescue equipment may include:

pumps

bailers

repair kits

rescue rope

karabiners

Prusik loops

pulleys

tape slings

throw bags

knife

flip line

whistle.

Safety procedures may include:

what happens when participants fall out of the raft

holding onto T grip

information on throw bags

instruction when told to "hold on"

getting back into raft

selecting safest line through rapids

seating position to maximise raft stability

managing safe portages and river running

conducting raft repairs.

Guide commands may include:

forward paddle

back paddle

left and right turn

over left and right

hold on

high side

on the job

stop

Strokes may include:

forward

backwards

draws

sweeps

prys turns.

Paddling manoeuvres may include:

forward and reverse ferry glides

breaking in and out of eddies

eddy hopping

weight shifting.

Hydrological features may include:

rapid

pool

eddy

eddy line

current

stoppers or holes (smiling and frowning)

weir stoppers

boils

waves

sieves

undercuts

strainers

downstream V

upstream V

waterfalls

pour overs.

Defensive and aggressive swimming techniques may include:

defensive swimming:

floating passively on back, looking downstream

riding with the river current

pointing feet downstream, toes out of the water

using legs to fend off obstacles

aggressive swimming:

swimming freestyle on stomach

stroking hard to move across the current.

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.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues. 
Confirm the chosen location or section of river for the trip is suitable according to participants' abilities, aims and objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Implement the trip plan as designed by the trip leader according to the participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Choose a route or course that minimises environmental damage. 
Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plan. 
Identify hazards and obstacles associated with the rafting trip and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants. 
Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip. 
Fit and adjust equipment according to manufacturer's specifications to ensure comfort and safety. 
Assess raft for safety and suitability and check that it is inflated to the required pressure. 
Select safety and rescue equipment according to the activity location. 
Waterproof, pack and fasten equipment that is not required on hand to ensure that it is not lost, damaged or a hindrance and prepare raft for transportation if required. 
Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip. 
Communicate relevant information and safety procedures effectively. 
Arrange seating positions that are appropriate to the size and abilities of the paddlers. 
Conduct a crew drill, informing participants of guide commands and strokes that will be used, and practice participants in the use of these strokes. 
Apply strokes and paddling manoeuvres effectively to control the raft. 
Communicate effectively with crew, other guides, trip leader and other river uses. 
Scout and assess sections of moving water to identify hydrological features, hazards and impediments. 
Communicate the selected route to the crew. 
Negotiate or avoid hazards using a combination of strokes, guide commands and manoeuvres. 
Apply navigation skills to determine location and follow planned route or course during the activity. 
Maintain appropriate body position in the water to minimise injury or entrapment and apply defensive and aggressive swimming techniques. 
Maintain a position upstream of the raft and recover paddles. 
Manage capsize response of crew and equipment. 
Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisation policies and procedures. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of the rafting activity trip and complete trip reports according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Review own performance and identify potential areas of improvement for future rafting trips 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISORAF403A - Guide a raft on Grade 4 rapids
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SISORAF403A - Guide a raft on Grade 4 rapids

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: