ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCECRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

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

1. Prepare for the rafting activity.

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

1.2. Prepare craft and complete safety and serviceability checks, including pressure checks on inflation.

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

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 team members.

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

2. Launch raft and complete participant drill.

2.1. Select launch site according to river conditions and participant abilities.

2.2. Board participants in seating positions appropriate to their paddling, swimming and physical abilities.

2.3. Launch raft using technique suitable for river conditions and participant abilities.

2.4. Inform participants of guide commands and strokes to be used.

2.5. Demonstrate and explain correct stroke technique, and engage participants in practice.

2.6. Check and confirm participant stroke abilities and understanding of communication protocols.

3. Manoeuvre rafts on grade 4 rivers.

3.1. Identify hydrological features from the water and utilise favourably to control and manoeuvre raft.

3.2. Control direction of raft forward, in reverse and sideways using a range of appropriate strokes and combinations.

3.3. Maintain appropriate posture, use of trunk rotation, paddle and blade to efficiently paddle the raft.

3.4. Utilise appropriate padding strokes and techniques to cross currents and break into and out of eddies.

3.5. Avoid or negotiate obstacles and hazards using a combination of strokes, paddling techniques and weight shifts.

3.6. Maintain control over participant paddling, providing prompt and clear commands.

3.7. Maintain visual contact and effective communication with participants, other rafts and guides in party throughout all activities.

3.8. Monitor party formation paddling pace and space between rafts and make required adjustments.

4. Plan and run routes through grade 4 rapids.

4.1. Scout rapids from the water and shore to identify hydrological features, hazards and impediments.

4.2. Assess features and hazards to determine a safe route through rapids.

4.3. Plan route through rapids accounting for participant abilities; communicate route, strokes and manoeuvres.

4.4. Identify reference points to guide chosen passage through rapids.

4.5. Run predetermined route using avoidance techniques and commands to safely negotiate river hazards.

4.6. Use efficient paddling techniques and strokes and utilise hydrological features to assist in turning and crossing currents.

5. Perform swimmer and capsize rescues.

5.1. Assist ejected participants in moving water using reach techniques and assist to re-enter raft.

5.2. Rescue self in water, maintaining position upstream of raft, retrieve paddle and re-enter craft.

5.3. Promptly reach and recover capsized raft using techniques to re-establish upright raft.

5.4. Manage capsize response of participants and take actions appropriate to situation.

6. Land and secure rafts.

6.1. Select a suitable location to exit the river, and to allow for any subsequent re-entries.

6.2. Land and disembark raft using techniques suitable for river conditions and participant abilities.

6.3. Select a secure bank feature and secure raft using appropriate knots.

6.4. Secure raft for road transport, on activity conclusion, using suitable methods.