Required skills

communication skills to

consult with participants to plan a canoeing trip that meets their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the trip

interact with participants to create a safe and positive canoeing environment

problemsolving skills to

make decisions affecting the trip

respond to nonroutine situations

manage the group effectively

planning and organising skills to source allocate and coordinate resources equipment and a suitable body of water with easy access to land for possible overnight stay

language and literacy skills to

produce a plan for the canoeing trip

complete post trip participant and self evaluations

effective and efficient personal canoeing skills on flat and undemanding water to demonstrate and explain canoeing techniques to participants

swimming skills to remove self from danger after a capsize and to manoeuvre canoe while in paddling gear

river reading skills such as direction and speed of flow currents eddies and other hydrological features that may impact on paddling and safety

navigation skills to lead a group on a planned canoeing trip along a certain route and or to a chosen destination

first aid and emergency response and rescue 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 activities

minimal impact codes to enable protection of the environment

information about local area to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential canoeing hazards and any special restrictions applying to the area

equipment types characteristics and technology used for canoeing on flat and undemanding water the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

clothing requirements for canoeing such as wet weather gear to maintain warmth and sun protection to minimise sunburn and heat stroke

care and maintenance of canoeing equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements

waterproofing techniques used to keep equipment that is not required on hand dry during canoeing

importance of a personal flotation device in keeping a person afloat and their head above water

stroke and capsizing techniques used on flat and undemanding water

swimming techniques to swim out of trouble and manoeuvre canoe while in water

communication systems and signals used to maintain safety of self and participants

principles of nutrition to maintain health during canoeing

setting up and removal of camping equipment if required to stay overnight

weather and environmental information to identify forecast conditions and their effect on the canoeing trip

risks commonly experienced when canoeing on flat and undemanding water and how to avoid or manage the risks

emergency response and rescue procedures appropriate for canoeing to ensure risk minimisation to self and group

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

plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner

applies contingency management techniques to make adjustments to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during canoeing trips

encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths weaknesses and areas that need improvement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of groups on canoeing trips in locations that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

resources and information regarding participants and location to plan guide and document canoeing trip

a body of flat and undemanding water suitable for the participants

a suitable overnight site where required

participants to take part in the canoeing trip

a suitable and safe method of transport if required to drive canoe to and from activity location

canoeing navigation overnight first aid and safety and rescue 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 planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants including conveying information for safe participation

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of canoeing trip

observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure

portfolio of canoeing trip plans

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 Use and maintain a temporary overnight site

SISOOPS204A Use and maintain a temporary overnight site

SISOOPSA Plan for minimal environmental impact

SISOOPS304A Plan for minimal environmental impact

Condition of participants may include:

Plan may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Session aims and objectives may include:

Hazards may include:

Flat and undemanding water may include:

Risks may include:

Relevant sources may include:

Weather and environmental information may include:

Food and water requirements may include:

Principles of nutrition may include:

Contextual issues may include:

Appropriate authorities may include:

Canoes may include:

Equipment may include:

Relevant information may include:

Safety procedures may include:

Variable factors may include:

Temporary site may include:

Relevant aspects may include: