Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare equipment and participants.
- Assess characteristics, condition and capability of participants, as they present, and obtain informed consent.
- Confirm participants have clothing and footwear appropriate for the activity and anticipated conditions.
- Select and set up equipment to match participants and prevailing conditions; complete safety checks.
- Check participants’ own equipment, if provided, and confirm it is in safe working condition.
- Direct and assist participants to fit and adjust equipment; check comfort and safety of fit.
- Brief participants and demonstrate caving activity techniques.
- Explain planned objectives; communicate instructions and information about activity in a manner appropriate to participants.
- Encourage participants to ask questions and seek advice before and during session.
- Inform participants of known and anticipated risks, safety procedures, safe behaviour, safe areas and boundaries.
- Advise participants of roles and responsibilities of activity leaders, and communication protocols to use during activity.
- Demonstrate and explain correct techniques appropriate for the activity.
- Check and confirm participant ability to use and control equipment before activity commencement.
- Check matching of equipment and activities to participants and amend as required.
- Lead and supervise caving activities.
- Supervise activity according to designated role, adjusting position and role as required.
- Implement recreational instruction techniques to impart skills and knowledge for the activity.
- Provide clear and accurate instructions and demonstrations throughout the session.
- Monitor participant performance and provide directions, encouragement and corrective instruction to improve techniques.
- Facilitate effective group communication and interaction to maintain group control, engagement and safety.
- Implement required modifications to activity, location or route to ensure participant engagement and comfort, and completion within timelines.
- Manage safety during caving activities.
- Monitor activity conditions and hazards, including signs of participant difficulty, to ensure safety and welfare.
- Monitor participant behaviour and adherence to safety procedures, adjust level of supervision and assertively correct breaches, as required.
- Respond immediately to adverse participant reactions and hazardous situations.
- Complete ongoing risk assessments to minimise risk of injury to participants and others.
- Amend activities if risk is unacceptable; cease activities when required.
- Respond to emergency situations according to organisational safety, emergency response and first aid procedures.
- Complete post activity responsibilities.
- Debrief participants and encourage discussion on their technique and satisfaction with session.
- Notify relevant personnel of activity completion.
- Retrieve equipment, inspect for wear or breakage, tag faults and store in designated area.
- Document any equipment faults and incidents including injuries and near misses.
- Evaluate the activity through a team debrief and identify improvements for future activities.