Assessor Resource

DEFSUR002
Construct improvised weapons and equipment in a survival situation

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to use traditional techniques to construct and maintain improvised weapons and equipment in a survival situation. The individual is not expected to be an expert tool maker or craftsperson, but rather to have sufficient skills and knowledge to produce functional items of equipment that will increase their chances of survival.

This unit was developed for Defence personnel but may be relevant to others.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would act autonomously, while performing concrete tasks, in a broad range of contexts which may be highly unpredictable.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Prepare for the construction of improvised weapons and equipment

1.1 Determine required weapons (such as bolas, boomerang, spear) and equipment (such as bed, coolamon, digging stick, rock hammer, seat, table, traps and snares) to increase chances of survival and prioritise as appropriate to the situation.

1.2 Develop a basic plan for construction, including general design, labour and resource requirements of desired items.

1.3 Gather natural resources to meet the concept of design.

1.4 Make twoply string from fibrous material for use in binding and securing.

2. Construct improvised weapons and equipment

2.1 Use heat to shape timber (induce and/or remove bends).

2.2 Cut notches, edges and settings into timber to fit and secure additional items.

2.3 Use heat to harden timber to prevent wearing, blunting and splitting.

2.4 Use knots and lashes to secure additional items.

2.5 Add padding using grasses and barks to survival equipment.

2.6 Weave or assemble baskets using natural resources to store survival items.

2.7 Maintain and preserve weapons and equipment using improvised preservation techniques, including plant and animal oils, saps and smoking.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

sharpening and maintaining a knife

tying knots and lashings/seizing/whipping

maintaining a range of survival weapons and equipment

producing a range of items according to the survival situation, but must include:

either digging stick:

length – minimum half user’s body length

shaft diameter – minimum 2.5 centimetres

plumb – not greater than seven degrees off ‘true’ from point to end

point – fire hardened sufficiently to deny fingernail from making any marking/indentation

or spear:

length – minimum three-quarters user’s body length

shaft diameter – maximum two centimetres

plumb – not greater than seven degrees off ‘true’ from point to end

point – fire hardened sufficiently to deny fingernail from making any marking/indentation

either bed:

length and width – must cover user’s body when flat with arms by sides

height – must elevate user at least ten centimetres off the ground

level – must be level

strength – must withstand weight of user and frame must remain rigid under user’s movements

comfort – must have sufficient padding to prevent framework from unduly discomforting user

or seat:

dimensions – seat must cover user’s posterior

height – must elevate to user’s knee level off the ground

level – must be level

strength – must withstand weight of user and frame must remain rigid under user’s movements

comfort – must have sufficient padding (including bark, grass)to prevent discomfort through pressure of framework

improvised cordage:

six metres

minimum twoply lay

capable of supporting twenty kilograms weight

maximum six millimetres diameter

basket:

minimum side and bottom length twenty centimetres

carry handle attached

capable of securing survival items during travel

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

knife and weapon safety

fire safety

Competency must be assessed in a simulated workplace environment with access to a suitable assessment area, with natural resources and a knife.

Consideration must be given to holistic assessment with other survival units.

While a person can demonstrate the ability to construct improvised weapons and equipment, doing so in a survival situation is crucial. Assessment under simulated survival conditions includes:

food restrictions

absence of normal living conditions and amenities

significant period of time

Refer to advice in the companion volumes.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Prepare for the construction of improvised weapons and equipment

1.1 Determine required weapons (such as bolas, boomerang, spear) and equipment (such as bed, coolamon, digging stick, rock hammer, seat, table, traps and snares) to increase chances of survival and prioritise as appropriate to the situation.

1.2 Develop a basic plan for construction, including general design, labour and resource requirements of desired items.

1.3 Gather natural resources to meet the concept of design.

1.4 Make twoply string from fibrous material for use in binding and securing.

2. Construct improvised weapons and equipment

2.1 Use heat to shape timber (induce and/or remove bends).

2.2 Cut notches, edges and settings into timber to fit and secure additional items.

2.3 Use heat to harden timber to prevent wearing, blunting and splitting.

2.4 Use knots and lashes to secure additional items.

2.5 Add padding using grasses and barks to survival equipment.

2.6 Weave or assemble baskets using natural resources to store survival items.

2.7 Maintain and preserve weapons and equipment using improvised preservation techniques, including plant and animal oils, saps and smoking.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

sharpening and maintaining a knife

tying knots and lashings/seizing/whipping

maintaining a range of survival weapons and equipment

producing a range of items according to the survival situation, but must include:

either digging stick:

length – minimum half user’s body length

shaft diameter – minimum 2.5 centimetres

plumb – not greater than seven degrees off ‘true’ from point to end

point – fire hardened sufficiently to deny fingernail from making any marking/indentation

or spear:

length – minimum three-quarters user’s body length

shaft diameter – maximum two centimetres

plumb – not greater than seven degrees off ‘true’ from point to end

point – fire hardened sufficiently to deny fingernail from making any marking/indentation

either bed:

length and width – must cover user’s body when flat with arms by sides

height – must elevate user at least ten centimetres off the ground

level – must be level

strength – must withstand weight of user and frame must remain rigid under user’s movements

comfort – must have sufficient padding to prevent framework from unduly discomforting user

or seat:

dimensions – seat must cover user’s posterior

height – must elevate to user’s knee level off the ground

level – must be level

strength – must withstand weight of user and frame must remain rigid under user’s movements

comfort – must have sufficient padding (including bark, grass)to prevent discomfort through pressure of framework

improvised cordage:

six metres

minimum twoply lay

capable of supporting twenty kilograms weight

maximum six millimetres diameter

basket:

minimum side and bottom length twenty centimetres

carry handle attached

capable of securing survival items during travel

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

knife and weapon safety

fire safety

Competency must be assessed in a simulated workplace environment with access to a suitable assessment area, with natural resources and a knife.

Consideration must be given to holistic assessment with other survival units.

While a person can demonstrate the ability to construct improvised weapons and equipment, doing so in a survival situation is crucial. Assessment under simulated survival conditions includes:

food restrictions

absence of normal living conditions and amenities

significant period of time

Refer to advice in the companion volumes.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine required weapons (such as bolas, boomerang, spear) and equipment (such as bed, coolamon, digging stick, rock hammer, seat, table, traps and snares) to increase chances of survival and prioritise as appropriate to the situation. 
Develop a basic plan for construction, including general design, labour and resource requirements of desired items. 
Gather natural resources to meet the concept of design. 
Make twoply string from fibrous material for use in binding and securing. 
Use heat to shape timber (induce and/or remove bends). 
Cut notches, edges and settings into timber to fit and secure additional items. 
Use heat to harden timber to prevent wearing, blunting and splitting. 
Use knots and lashes to secure additional items. 
Add padding using grasses and barks to survival equipment. 
Weave or assemble baskets using natural resources to store survival items. 
Maintain and preserve weapons and equipment using improvised preservation techniques, including plant and animal oils, saps and smoking. 
Determine required weapons (such as bolas, boomerang, spear) and equipment (such as bed, coolamon, digging stick, rock hammer, seat, table, traps and snares) to increase chances of survival and prioritise as appropriate to the situation. 
Develop a basic plan for construction, including general design, labour and resource requirements of desired items. 
Gather natural resources to meet the concept of design. 
Make twoply string from fibrous material for use in binding and securing. 
Use heat to shape timber (induce and/or remove bends). 
Cut notches, edges and settings into timber to fit and secure additional items. 
Use heat to harden timber to prevent wearing, blunting and splitting. 
Use knots and lashes to secure additional items. 
Add padding using grasses and barks to survival equipment. 
Weave or assemble baskets using natural resources to store survival items. 
Maintain and preserve weapons and equipment using improvised preservation techniques, including plant and animal oils, saps and smoking. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFSUR002 - Construct improvised weapons and equipment in a survival situation
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

DEFSUR002 - Construct improvised weapons and equipment in a survival situation

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: