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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan a bushwalk.
  2. Select equipment.
  3. Apply advanced bushwalking skills
  4. Navigate in an arid environment.
  5. Evaluate the bushwalk.

Required Skills

Required skills

literacy skills to

read and interpret maps

follow instructions and procedures

analyse weather and environmental information

planning and organising skills to allocate and select relevant food water clothing and equipment for bushwalks greater than two days duration in arid areas

communication skills to interact with other participants to maintain a positive and safe environment while on the walk

numeracy skills to navigate and calculate grid and magnetic bearings and distances using a map and compass in arid areas and conditions

problemsolving skills to

assess and negotiate hazards and changing circumstances

repair or improvise items of essential equipment in the case of breakage or loss

survival skills to enable self protection in the case of extreme environmental conditions

minimal impact camping skills using lightweight portable equipment

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 bushwalking activities

minimal impact camping and walking codes to ensure protection of environment

equipment types characteristics and technology used for bushwalking the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

packing and maintenance techniques before during and after the activity to protect personal and group equipment and ensure prolonged life

pack handling packing and lifting techniques to prevent or avoid injury

pack hauling techniques should it be necessary to lift packs vertically to navigate a vertical hazard

clothing and footwear requirements for arid environments and conditions and factors affecting appropriate selection such as layering and protective clothing

principles of nutrition to maintain health during activity

sources of food and water in emergency situations to maintain health for prolonged periods such as emergency water procurement

navigation in a broad range of arid areas and conditions to determine location direction and potential hazards with no supervision and in a broad range of visibility circumstances

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

selection of tieoff points and anchors when using handlines to assist on steep terrain

track signage standards such as the current Australian Standard to determine the suitability of the track to skill levels

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

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 processes to plan equipment and supply requirements according to the conditions and duration of the bushwalk

demonstrates advanced bushwalking techniques and safety practices and adapts to contingencies that may arise during the walk

takes precautions to maintain physical well being of self and group during a bushwalk and identifies possible signs symptoms and treatments of conditions such as hyperthermia and dehydration

evaluates and reflects on own bushwalking performance to identify strengths weaknesses and areas that need improvement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in a bushwalking activity in arid areas and conditions that is of a minimum three day duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

resources and information such as detailed maps and meteorological data to plan for the bushwalk

a suitable outdoor location with arid areas and conditions that are unmodified so that track alignment is indistinct with no clearance or signage The track will not be managed for public risk and the onset of extreme environmental conditions may have a significant adverse impact upon the bushwalk

bushwalking navigation and safety equipment

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 and review process

oral and or written questioning and reports to assess knowledge of contingency procedures and relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of bushwalking activities

observation of demonstrating advanced bushwalking skills such as locating water sources from animal tracks and bird flight patterns

observation of dealing with contingencies such as repairing and or improvising items of essential equipment in the case of breakage or loss

review of plan for the bushwalk

written and or verbal self evaluation

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

SISOOPSA Interpret weather conditions in the field

SISOOPS303A Interpret weather conditions in the field


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.

Food and water requirements may include:

menu planning and preparation

range of foods

emergency food and water

water purification and conservation.

Arid areas and conditions may include:

unmodified natural surfaces

no clearance along the track

unsigned

steep sections of unmodified surfaces

unmanaged for public risk

risk of onset of extreme environmental conditions, such as excessive dry heat

those that align to Class 6 tracks within the Australian Standard for Walking Tracks.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines

essential nutrients

individual food requirements and allergies.

Duration of the walk may include:

three days

four days

five days

more than five days.

Emergency water procurement may include:

creek beds

rock formations

trees

dew

transpiration method

solar still

distilling sea water using condensation method.

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

emergency procedures

equipment use and maintenance

communication protocols

code of ethics.

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

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Changing conditions may include:

weather

equipment failure

injuries.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

Equipment may include:

bushwalking equipment

navigation equipment

safety and first aid equipment

camping equipment.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Obstacles may include:

creeks

logs

rocks

gullies

exposed areas.

Ascending techniques may include:

zig-zagging

placing feet down flat with a deliberate step

resting heels on any available projections:

using walking aids and ropes as handlines.

Descending techniques may include:

placing toes against projections to avoid overstriding

avoiding placing feet down heavily

using flat- footed or stiff- heeled technique

using walking aids and ropes as handlines.

Walking rhythm may include:

maintaining same speed of pace

keeping hands free

allowing natural body swing

avoiding jerky movements or springing.

Additional information may include:

altitude gain or loss

distance

gradient

estimated travelling time.

Navigation aids may include:

maps

compass.

Techniques for estimatingdistance may include:

timing

pacing

observing surroundings.

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.