Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select suitable locations and methods to cross rivers during bushwalking activities. It requires the ability to use a range of river crossing methods in flat and moving water up to grade 2.
This unit applies to any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.
It applies to leaders, guides or instructors who use these skills when leading participants where crossing rivers is required.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCECRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to cross river. | 1.1. Scout the river to identify features, hazards and obstacles. 1.2. Assess risk and select a safe and suitable crossing point. 1.3. Evaluate conditions and select suitable method to cross river. 1.4. Confirm organisational safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities. 1.5. Waterproof contents of back pack. |
2. Cross rivers using techniques appropriate to conditions. | 2.1. Set a ferry angle to negotiate currents and enter the river safely. 2.2. Use appropriate body position and defensive swimming techniques to negotiate moving water and river hazards. 2.3. Use appropriate body position and aggressive swimming techniques to negotiate moving water and to free self from river hazards. 2.4. Maintain ferry angle to balance swimming against current. 2.5. Wade across rivers at mid-thigh depth and negotiate swift currents, when present. 2.6. Use aids to cross rivers, as appropriate to conditions. 2.7. Utilise group techniques to cross rivers, as appropriate to conditions. 2.8. Use techniques to safely negotiate upstream and downstream currents and to exit the river safely. 2.9. Recognise unsafe crossing and retreat from river as required. 2.10. Evaluate a contingency plan if river is unable to be crossed. |
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
SKILLS | DESCRIPTION |
Reading skills to: | interpret detailed and familiar organisational safety and emergency response procedures. |
Oral communications skills to: | use clear and unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communications to make intent known to party members. |
Numeracy skills to: | estimate speed of currents and depth of water. |
Sectors
Outdoor Recreation
Competency Field
Bushwalking