Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to travel through canyons, according to planned routes, and utilise features for recreational activities such as rock scrambling, swimming, water sliding and liloing. It requires the ability to safely negotiate a range of terrain obstacles, hazards and canyon formations. It applies to both wet and dry canyons.
This unit focuses on activities within canyons and not on methods used to access or escape from them.
It applies to leaders, guides or instructors who use these skills when leading during canyoning activities. Leadership skills are provided in complementary units. The unit can also apply to assistants and support staff.
This unit applies to any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.
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 for canyoning activities. | 1.1. Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for canyon conditions and activities. 1.2. Waterproof, as required, and pack clothing, personal resources, and food according to access requirements during activities. 1.3. Interpret planned route from activity plans and maps to assist in following the route. 1.4. Determine contingency routes and emergency escapes. 1.5. Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities. 1.6. Confirm protocols for communications between party members. 1.7. Complete equipment safety checks prior to canyoning activities. |
2. Utilise canyon features for recreational activities. | 2.1. Survey canyon to identify hazards and obstacles, assess risk, and select a safe and suitable site for activities. 2.2. Safely approach, and negotiate hazards, canyon terrain and formations to minimise risk of injury. 2.3. Remove and handle loaded backpacks to enable safe passage through canyon. 2.4. Select and use suitable techniques and natural formations for a range of recreational activities. 2.5. Maintain close contact and effective communication with party members throughout all activities. 2.6. Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the canyon environment throughout all activities. |
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 interpret complex and potentially unfamiliar technical information about routes and environmental features. |
Oral communications skills to: | use clear and unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communications to make intent known. |
Problem-solving skills to: | readily adapt to changing situations and terrain by selecting appropriate techniques and equipment to traverse canyons efficiently. |
Planning and organising skills to: | manage own timing to complete activities within planned timeframes. |
Sectors
Outdoor Recreation
Competency Field
Canyoning