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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan a river crossing.
  2. Apply swimming techniques in moving water.
  3. Apply river crossing techniques.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to discuss negotiate and apply appropriate river crossing methods with other participants

problemsolving skills to determine river crossing methods appropriate to the conditions

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

swimming skills to free oneself from potential hazards

Required knowledge

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

river crossing methods and techniques to cross rivers in a safe manner after selection of a suitable crossing location

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity including life threatening conditions

emergency procedures and potential hazards relevant to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group

hydrology and river grading systems to understand how rivers work so decisions can be made accordingly

aggressive and defensive swimming techniques to get free from hazards

equipment improvisation to help with the river crossing

first aid appropriate to location and level of responsibility

Evidence Required

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

applies relevant knowledge of river features and hazards to select a suitable crossing site and plans for a safe crossing

applies defensive and aggressive swimming techniques to negotiate river crossings

adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise during the river crossing such as change in current and or weather conditions and makes appropriate adjustments in response to these contingencies to ensure safety of self and group

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple river crossings that reflect local conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

a suitable moving water location with safe rapids to minimise the danger of being swept downstream into more difficult conditions

equipment such as a pole and rope to aid in the crossing technique

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 the planning process

oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of the relationship between features hazards and risks associated with crossing moving water rivers

observation of safe participation and demonstration of swimming and river crossing techniques

observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

SISOBWGA Bushwalk in unmodified landscapes

SISOBWG404A Bushwalk in unmodified landscapes.


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, 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.

River features may include:

eddy

current

tongue

waves

bank

rocks.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

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

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

Appropriate location may include:

narrow, straight part of the river

low banks

less than waste deep.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

equipment use and maintenance

communication protocols

emergency procedures.

Defensive swimming techniques may include:

floating passively on back

riding with the river current

pointing feet downstream

using arms and legs to fend off obstacles

swimming to shore or safety.

Aggressive swimming techniques may include:

moving on to stomach

pointing feet downstream

stroking hard to move across the current

swimming to shore or safety.

River crossing methods may include:

individual without aid

individual with a pole

mutual support using linked arms, a circle or a pole

swimming using pack as a float.