Assessor Resource

SISORAF301A
Guide a raft on moving water

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to those working as rafting guides in a range of conditions, up to grade 2 rapids.

This unit applies to leader working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups, not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to control a raft as a leader, with a crew on moving water, up to and including Grade 2 rapids according to the prescribed trip plan.

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

Prerequisites

Nil

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

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:

executes trip plan, including confident delivery of safety briefing and crew drill

applies knowledge of rivers and hydrology to manoeuvre and control a raft according to conditions on multiple occasions

monitors and maintains the safety of clients and rafting equipment

negotiates rapids and hazards using efficient strokes on fast currents and applies capsizing techniques and rescue procedures on multiple occasions

implements contingency plans and procedures as required

seeks advice and feedback from leader to improve skills and techniques and evaluates and reflects on own rafting performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation as a guide in rafting activities on moving water up to grade 2 rapids that of sufficient depth and breadth of duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information to plan and select equipment for the rafting activity

suitable inland rivers with moving water, up to and including Grade 2 rapids

suitable crew

rafting, navigation, safety, rescue and communication equipment

a safe method of transport, if required to drive raft to and from activity location.

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:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of stroke techniques used to control and manoeuvre the raft through rapids

observation of safe participation and demonstration of rafting skills, such as communicating with crew members and controlling the raft with paddles to move in and out of eddies

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:

SISOWWR201A Demonstrate self rescue skills in white water.

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.

Required skills

planning and organising skills to select and allocate rafting equipment according to the trip plan

teamwork skills to:

paddle and maintain control of the raft

assist others in capsize and rescue procedures

communication skills to interact with trip leader, other guides and participants to negotiate hazards, paddling technique, route or course

listening skills to follow instructions and directions

problem-solving skills to:

read river features, speed of flow, currents, eddies and avoid hazards

apply a range of strokes and paddling manoeuvres to control the raft in a range of different river conditions

apply defensive and aggressive swimming to remove self from danger after a capsize

manage capsize response

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all rafting activities

equipment and raft types, including their characteristics and safety features, advantages and disadvantages and care and maintenance to enable appropriate selection and use

Selection of personal flotation devices and rescue equipment to ensure safety of self and raft crew

crew

clothing requirements for rafting to protect and minimise injury from environmental conditions

importance of a Personal Flotation Device in keeping a person afloat and their head above water

stroke, directing and signalling techniques to control and manoeuvre the raft

principles of nutrition to maintain health during activity

weather and environmental information to identify forecast conditions and their affect on the activity

hydrology and river features such as currents, banks, change in gradient and volume, and how these might impact on the rafting experience

international river grading system to understand conditions and appropriateness of the river to the level of participants

knots used to secure raft and perform rescues

defensive and aggressive swimming techniques to swim out of trouble

emergency and rescue procedures appropriate for the raft and location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

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.

Food and water requirements may include:

menu planning and preparation

range of foods

food safety and storage.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines

individual food requirements and allergies.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Aims and objectives may include;

self improvement

social

fitness targets

adventure and recreation

outdoor education

wilderness therapy

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

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

emergency procedures

code of ethics.

Trip plan must include:

aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location, equipment and resources

safety and emergency requirements

river level and sectors

contingencies

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 level

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Hazards may include:

holes or stoppers

strainers

rocks

waterfalls

manmade objects

weirs

sieves

cold water

undercuts.

Obstacles may include:

rocks

piers

submerged items

other crafts

change in river conditions

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

Equipment may include:

rafting equipment

navigation equipment

safety and rescue equipment

communication equipment.

Safety and rescue equipment may include:

pumps

bailers

repair kits

first aid

rescue rope

karabiners

Prusik loops

pulleys

tape slings

throw bags

knife

flip line

whistle.

Safety procedures may include

T grip

throw bag information

hold on instructions

getting back into raft

selecting safe line through rapids

seating positions to maximise raft stability

managing safe portages and river running

conducting raft repairs

aggressive and defensive swimming techniques

responsible and safe behaviour

signals and communication systems

raft capsize procedures

location of safety and rescue equipment

Guide commands may include

forward paddle

back paddle

left and right turn

over left and right

hold on

high side

on the job

stop

Strokes may include:

forwards

backwards

draws

sweeps

prys

turns

Paddling manoeuvres may include:

forward and reverse ferry glides

breaking in and out of eddies

eddy hopping

weight shifting.

Hydrological features may include:

rapid

pool

eddy

eddy line

current

stoppers or holes - smiling and frowning

weir stoppers

boils

waves

sieves

undercuts

strainers

downstream V

upstream V

waterfalls

pour overs.

Defensive and aggressive swimming techniques may include:

defensive swimming:

floating passively on back, looking downstream

riding with the river current

pointing feet downstream, toes out of water

using arms and legs to fend off obstacles

aggressive swimming:

swimming freestyle to stomach

stroking hard to move across the current.

Capsize response may include

head count

flip raft

re-entry of raft

take raft to shore

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.

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
Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues. 
Confirm the chosen location or section of river for the trip is suitable according to participants' abilities, aims and objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Implement the trip plan as designed by the trip leader according to participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures 
Choose a route or course that minimises damage to the environment. 
Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plan. 
Identify hazards and obstacles associated with rafting trip and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants. 
Select equipment and confirm serviceability according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures. 
Fit and adjust equipment according to manufacturer's specifications to ensure comfort and safety. 
Assess raft for safety and suitability and check that it is inflated to the required pressure. 
Select safety and rescue equipment according to the activity location. 
Waterproof, pack and fasten equipment that is not required on hand to ensure that it is not lost, damaged or a hindrance and prepare raft for transportation if required. 
Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip. 
Communicate relevant information and safety procedures effectively. 
Arrange seating positions that are appropriate to the size and abilities of paddlers. 
Conduct a crew drill, informing participants of guide commands and strokes that will be used and observe participants use of these strokes 
Apply strokes and paddling manoeuvres effectively to control the raft. 
Communicate effectively with crew, other guides, trip leader and other river uses. 
Scout and assess sections of moving water to identify hydrological features, hazards and impediments. 
Communicate the selected route to the crew. 
Negotiate or avoid hazards using a combination of strokes, guide commands and manoeuvres. 
Apply navigation skills to determine location and follow planned route or course during the activity. 
Maintain appropriate body position in the water to minimise injury or entrapment and apply defensive and aggressive swimming techniques if necessary. 
Maintain a position upstream of the raft and recover paddles, where possible. 
Manage capsize response of crew and equipment. 
Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures 
Evaluate relevant aspects of rafting trip and complete trip reports according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Review own performance and identify potential areas of improvement for future rafting trips 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISORAF301A - Guide a raft on moving water
Assessment task 1: [title]

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

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISORAF301A - Guide a raft on moving water

Student name:

Student ID:

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

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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