ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCECRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for the paddle.

1.1. Select clothing, footwear, personal protective and other equipment suitable for the paddle and conditions, and check for safe working condition.

1.2. Carry, prepare craft and complete safety and serviceability checks.

1.3. Waterproof, pack and stow clothing, personal resources, and food according to access requirements during paddle.

1.4. Interpret planned course from activity plans and maps to assist in following the course.

1.5. Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.

1.6. Confirm protocols for communications between paddlers.

1.7. Fit and adjust personal protective equipment to ensure comfort and safety.

2. Paddle and manoeuvre sea kayaks in sheltered coastal waters.

2.1. Embark and launch sea kayak from shore while maintaining stability.

2.2. Control direction of sea kayak forward, in reverse and sideways using a range of appropriate strokes, leans, edges and combinations.

2.3. Maintain appropriate posture, use of trunk rotation, paddle and blade to efficiently paddle the sea kayak.

2.4. Establish and maintain an appropriate paddling rhythm and pace to minimise fatigue, strain and injury.

2.5. Safely approach, and negotiate obstacles and hazards to minimise risk of injury.

2.6. Maintain visual contact and effective communication with party members throughout all activities.

2.7. Monitor party formation, paddling pace and space between sea kayaks and make required adjustments.

3. Rescue self following a capsize.

3.1. Execute techniques appropriate for situation to avoid a wet exit and re-establish paddling position promptly.

3.2. Exit the sea kayak in a controlled manner following a capsize, and recover paddle.

3.3. Manoeuvre the paddle and upturned sea kayak to shore or to rescue craft and empty out water.

3.4. Use techniques when in deep water to empty water and re-enter sea kayak.

4. Perform deep water rescues in sheltered coastal waters.

4.1. Identify immediate hazards, assess risks and negotiate to avoid injury to self and others.

4.2. Select and use other leaders or party members, equipment and rescue techniques appropriate to situation.

4.3. Manoeuvre rescue craft to capsized party member, forming a raft-up as required.

4.4. Provide clear and concise instructions to person being rescued and others assisting.

4.5. Assist rescuee to return to their craft using rescue technique appropriate to situation.

4.6. Assess ability of rescuee to continue and tow to nearest safe landing, as required.

5. Land and secure kayaks.

5.1. Land and disembark sea kayak on shore while maintaining stability.

5.2. Secure sea kayak for road transport using suitable methods.

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 straightforward but potentially unfamiliar information on maps

interpret factual activity plan information in familiar formats.

Oral communications skills to:

use clear and unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communications to make intent known.

Numeracy skills to:

interpret and calculate numerical data involving distances, times and speed of currents.

Teamwork skills to:

pro-actively and cooperatively work within teams of operational personnel to solve arising problems and effect efficient rescues.

Planning and organising skills to:

manage own timing to complete activities within planned timeframes.

Self-management skills to:

critically analyse all circumstances and implications to provide a prompt and considered response to rescue requirements.