Required skills

problemsolving skills to

orientate any available cave plan and navigate around cave obstacles

determine the most suitable route

planning and organising skills to plan a suitable route that avoids sensitive areas and minimises damage to the environment

literacy and numeracy skills to

read and interpret maps

locate position on map

estimate distance

calculate grid and magnetic bearings

complete route plans

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 navigation activities conducted in untrogged caves

advantages and disadvantages of different map types and sources of error and interpretation of map symbols and features to enable accurate navigation and route planning

compass use and factors that affect their accuracy to enable accurate navigation

route planning and issues that should be considered when preparing a navigation data sheet

map and compass orientation to navigate in untrogged caves

techniques for estimating distance travelled in different cave conditions

different types of caves and techniques to navigate around obstacles

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

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

selects appropriate map where available and uses it to plan a route with minimal impact on the environment

applies information from additional sources and map to prepare a navigation data sheet that includes details required for navigation

applies navigation techniques for estimating distance travelled and maintains route while bypassing various obstacles and cave features

produces a cave sketch map that can be used by others for navigation

evaluates and reflects on own navigation performance within an untrogged cave to identify strengths weaknesses and improvements

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure navigation in untrogged caves and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

untrogged caves with infrequently travelled routes and or unmapped routes suitable for navigation

navigation caving 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 applying information from map to plan safe route with minimal environmental impact

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation to enable safe conduct of all navigation activities

observation of following a route using a map compass and navigation data sheet in untrogged caves

observation of identifying emergency or contingency escape routes and bypassing obstacles

copy of sketch map produced for others for navigation in untrogged cave

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

SISOCVEA Guide vertical multi pitch caving trips

SISOCVE414A Guide vertical multi pitch caving trips.

Map may include:

Information and symbols may include:

Navigation data sheet may include:

Suitable sources of information may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Contextual issues may include:

Environmental impact may include:

Surroundings may include:

Navigation techniques may include:

Estimating the distance travelled may include:

Obstacles may include:

Relevant aspects may include: