This unit applies to those working as snorkelling instructors who conduct snorkelling activities in a range of confined and or open water conditions.

This unit may also apply to outdoor recreation leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers, volunteer groups, not for profit organisations or government agencies.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan a snorkelling session.

1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics.

1.2. Assess participant's current snorkelling knowledge in order to determine the session'saims and objectives.

1.3. Determine an appropriate instructional plan according to participant's needs and characteristics.

1.4. Develop a snorkelling plan according to participant's needs and characteristics, industry criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.5. Identify potential hazards associated with snorkelling and minimise risks according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.6. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information and determine contingency plans.

2. Select and organise equipment and resources.

2.1. Select and access equipment and resources according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check working condition.

2.2. Check equipment for safety and suitability according to relevant legislation and manufacturer's recommendations, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.

2.3. Check contents of first aid and repair kits to ensure suitability to the location and activity.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the snorkelling session in a manner appropriate to the participants.

3.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.

3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while snorkelling.

3.4. Inform participants of known and anticipated hazards, safety procedures and appropriate behaviour.

3.5. Check and confirm that all participant equipment is fitted and adjusted.

4. Instruct the session.

4.1. Conduct introductory activities for participants to reduce the risk of injury.

4.2. Monitor individual participant's performance during snorkelling session.

4.3. Apply clear and accurate instructional techniques to impart activity specific knowledge, snorkelling techniques and safety and rescue procedures.

4.4. Demonstrate procedures for dealing with emergency and non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.5. Inform participants of opportunities to further develop their snorkelling skills and knowledge.

5. Complete post session responsibilities.

5.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

5.2. Provide opportunities for participants to identify their personal progress and satisfaction with the session, and give feedback as required.

5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of the snorkelling session and determine the level of learning achieved.

5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future snorkelling instructional sessions.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan an appropriate snorkelling session

convey information about the safety aspects of the session

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan snorkelling sessions according to participant's needs and characteristics

address participant difficulties in developing techniques

anticipate and respond to non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and a suitable snorkelling site

monitor and evaluate progress

organise participants into manageable groups for snorkelling

language and literacy skills to:

produce snorkelling and instructional plans for the session

complete post session participant and self evaluations

personal snorkelling skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain techniques to participants

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the site to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies whilst instructing snorkelling.

Required knowledge

legislation, organisational policies and procedures and industry criteria to ensure safe conduct of snorkelling session

site specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the site

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for snorkelling, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection

care and maintenance of snorkelling equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements

instruction techniques and theories applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities

principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy throughout the session

snorkelling techniques and common communication systems used in snorkelling to reduce risk

technical snorkelling knowledge, such as factors affecting buoyancy and how to control sinking and floating, pressure, volume and temperature as related to squeezes, and atmospheric related concerns such as hypothermia, hyperthermia and sunburn

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the session

sea features such as currents, waves and tides and how these might impact on the snorkelling experience

aquatic hazards and risks that may be experienced in confined and or open water conditions, such as sea life and environmental, and how to safely negotiate these

first aid, emergency and rescue procedures relevant to the site to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

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:

plans and delivers information, explanations and demonstrations for snorkelling session to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs and characteristics

observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve snorkelling performance

uses and modifies instructional techniques and or activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure instruction of snorkelling activities that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a snorkelling site with either open or confined water that enables the conduct of instructional sessions

participants to take part in the snorkelling session

snorkelling, safety, rescue, first aid and teaching equipment

resources and information regarding participants and site to plan, instruct and document snorkelling sessions for a variety of participants.

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:

observation of planning processes, such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge and application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to the safe conduct of all snorkelling activities

observation of safe snorkelling instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics

portfolio of snorkelling session and instructional plans

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:

SROSNK201A Demonstrate snorkelling activities.

Guidance information for assessment

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.

Characteristics may include:

age

cultural and situational factors

previous experience and knowledge

physical development.

Session's aims and objectives may include:

developing snorkelling skills

education

development

therapy

fitness targets

recreation.

Instructional plan may include:

snorkelling activities and drills

duration of activities and drills.

Snorkelling plan may include:

aims and objectives

date, time and duration

snorkelling site, equipment and resources

safety requirements

contingency plan.

Industry criteria may include:

British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)

Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)

SCUBA Schools International (SSI).

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

time and budget constraints

communication protocols

code of ethics

confidentiality of participant information

minimal impact codes.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

group management hazards.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

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

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Contingency plans may include:

change in weather and or water conditions

equipment failure

participant's needs

Equipment may include:

snorkel

mask

boots

fins

dive knife and or tool

wet suit

weight system or buoyancy control

safety and rescue equipment

first aid equipment

exposure protection.

Resources may include:

clothing

food and water

teaching aids.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including tide times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Instructional techniques may include:

simple to complex

part to whole

chronological

known to unknown

D.E.D.I.C.T:

demonstrate

explain

demonstrate

instruct

critique

test

E.D.I.C.T:

explain

demonstrate

instruct

critique

test

I.D.E.A:

introduce

demonstrate

explain

apply

orientate, enhance, synthesise

Required knowledge may include:

safety procedures

snorkelling techniques

communication systems

responsible and safe behaviour.

Snorkelling techniques may include:

entering and exiting the water

breathing through a snorkel

clearing a snorkel and mask

equalising to clear water from ears

swimming and diving on a snorkel

performing snorkel dive rescues.

Safety and rescue procedures may include:

emergency response procedures

group management in emergency situations

symptoms, treatment and prevention of common snorkelling risks.

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.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.