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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required Skills

carry out contingency actions

recover a vehicle

evacuation of injured people

follow instructionsdirectives and report information

participate in team

encourage other team members

use a variety of verbal and nonverbal communication techniques including language style active listening

read and implement written or verbal orders and procedures

read maps and use navigational aids

Required Knowledge

route and task planning

obstacles and hazards

vehicle capabilities

team work principles and strategies

techniques for supporting others

composition of teams and roles and responsibilities of team members

verbal and nonverbal communication techniques including language style active listening

Evidence Required

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to prepare and drive a vehicle over difficult terrain in a range of environments by day and night and deal with contingencies in hazardous situations

Critical to this competency is the application of sound judgement by the driver This must be displayed in the analysis of difficult terrain to determine whether it is trafficable and if so what are the implications for vehicle preparation safety of passengers and load planning

Assessment must also confirm the ability to

conduct route reconnaissance and task planning

drive a vehicle over difficult terrain including

crossing a defile

crossing soft terrain

crossing a water obstacle

negotiating thick scrub

deal with contingencies including

engine stall on a steep grade

breakdown of a vehicle while crossing a water obstacle

recovery of a vehicle from an obstacle

recondition a vehicle after driving in difficult terrain

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over a time frame that allows for driving a vehicle over a variety of difficult terrain encountering hazardous situations and applying contingency actions all under a range of field conditions

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed using a number of practical assessments of driving over difficult terrain including inclines and declines to the rated capability of the vehicle waterways thick scrub defiles sand and soft bottoms Individuals should be assessed in each of these environs and then collectively over a vehiclerun in which a number of the types of difficult terrain including watercourses are encountered requiring a contingency response

Assessment should focus on the reconnaissance and planning conducted by the driver Verbal questioning of underpinning knowledge may complement practical assessment While low risk driving skills and the negotiation of difficult terrain are central to this competency just as important is the drivers use of judgement in carrying out contingency actions on encountering hazards Judgement must also be assessed in such areas as to whether the obstacle is physically negotiable and if so what safety requirements are needed in terms of vehicle preparation dismounting of personnel unloading of cargo and securing of recovery lines

Specific resources for assessment

suitable training and assessment area with a variety of terrain defiles waterway sand inclines and declines to the rated limit of the vehicle mud flats and thick scrub

wheeled vehicles authorised for offroad driving

specialist equipment required for configuration of vehicle for driving in difficult terrain

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA Public Safety Training Package

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

Range Statement


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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Vehicles may include	All wheeled road transport vehicles (in Defence this equates to B class general service vehicles authorised for off-road driving)
Difficult terrain may include	Steep inclines and declines Waterways including rivers, streams and coastal flats Soft and slippery surfaces including sand, mud, snow and icy surfaces Dry defiles and uneven surfaces Thick scrub Any combination of the above
Field conditions may include	Work conducted under exposed conditions A variety of road, terrain and vegetation conditions A range of weather conditions
Serviceability check may include	Start up check of fuel, oil and water Engine operation Brakes and tyres Instruments and electrical Winches and jacks Chains and towing ropes Weight, security and distribution of the load Visual inspection of the vehicle
Standard procedures refer to	Written and verbal orders and instructions given by a supervisor or other authority Standing orders, routine orders, procedures manuals, doctrine pamphlets, job guides and other publications Defence Road Transport Instructions, Driver's Handbook, vehicle user's handbook Procedures prescribed for the vehicle by the relevant state/territory traffic authority and parent unit/formation
Configuring/reconfiguring the vehicle may include	Reducing tyre pressures Engaging low range four wheel drive Fitting chains Adding specialist tools, accessories and equipment to the complete equipment schedule including items such as crowbars and shovels Removing/fixing extraneous objects such as mirrors and antennae Protecting the engine/bonnet with canvas or plastic coverings Pre-rigging recovery and survival lines Securing, re-distributing and/or removing load Dismounting all unnecessary passengers
Reconnaissance may include	Map or visual check of the ground to be traversed Physically walking the route or through particular hazards along the route Identifying obstacles, obstructions, bypasses and alternate crossing places Testing water depth and flow Testing road/track surfaces
Task planning may include	Identifying the route to be traversed including any obstacles, bypasses and alternative routes Identifying hazards Vehicle recovery Estimating vehicle speeds
Low-risk driving techniques may include	Applying rules for ascending and descending hills and steep inclines Engine stall procedures Engaging and disengaging low range and four wheel drive Fitting protective coverings and load restraints Applying procedures for the safe crossing of water obstacles including: reconnaissance selection of safe entry and exit points use of guides drying and testing of brakes Recovery of vehicles Towing and winching vehicles
Hazardous situations and contingencies actions may include	Dealing with a range of accident and emergency situations including: stalled vehicle on a steep grade loss of control while negotiating an obstacle threatened roll over or actual roll over breakdown in a hazard injury to a passenger loss or movement of load negotiating the uncertainties of rivers, streams and waterways break-up and collapse of surfaces negotiating slippery surfaces and surfaces effected by water and ice taking action on encountering engine stalls and breakdowns when traversing obstacles reacting to vehicle damage caused by striking obstacles First aid and evacuation of injured Positioning of guides, passengers and dismounted personnel Locating static recovery anchor points such as trees Recovery of a vehicle Requirement to winch or tow vehicles Repairing tyre punctures Repairing damage caused by mines, explosives or other enemy action