Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

DEFSUR008 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Produce fire using improvised means in a survival situation

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency DEFSUR008 - Produce fire using improvised means in a survival situation
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the skills required to initiate and maintain fire in a survival situation. Fire is one of the most critical survival resources because of the range of applications, from preventing hypothermia and sterilising water to initiating rescue signals. The individual is expected to produce fire from improvised means (which may include traditional means if there are no alternatives).This unit was developed for Defence personnel but may be relevant to others.The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.Those undertaking this unit would act autonomously, while performing concrete tasks, in a broad range of contexts which may be highly unpredictable.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Competency must be demonstrated once under the range of methods detailed in the establishment of fire but the maintenance of fire should be assessed over time. Competency must be assessed in a simulated workplace environment in an appropriate assessment area with access to sufficient suitable dry organic material to start fires; friction method fire-starting resources including bootlace (as bow string); and a knife. Fire should be maintained in all weather conditions including rain.

Consideration must be given to holistic assessment with other survival units.

While a person can demonstrate the technical ability to start and maintain a fire, doing so in a survival situation is crucial. Assessment under simulated survival conditions includes:

food restrictions

absence of normal living conditions and amenities

significant period of time

Refer to advice in the companion volumes.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Survival
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for fire starting
  • Collect, dry and protect tinder.
  • Collect, prepare and store kindling.
  • Collect, prepare and store fuel (branches, logs) in a dry location.
       
Element: Start and maintain fire
  • Site and prepare a fire-safe area, minimising threat to survivor effects and equipment and preventing escape of the fire into surrounding vegetation.
  • Use improvised means to start fire.
  • Prevent fire from extinguishing in all weather conditions.
       
Element: Prepare for fire starting
  • Collect, dry and protect tinder.
  • Collect, prepare and store kindling.
  • Collect, prepare and store fuel (branches, logs) in a dry location.
       
Element: Start and maintain fire
  • Site and prepare a fire-safe area, minimising threat to survivor effects and equipment and preventing escape of the fire into surrounding vegetation.
  • Use improvised means to start fire.
  • Prevent fire from extinguishing in all weather conditions.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Prepare for fire starting

1.1 Collect, dry and protect tinder.

1.2 Collect, prepare and store kindling.

1.3 Collect, prepare and store fuel (branches, logs) in a dry location.

2. Start and maintain fire

2.1 Site and prepare a fire-safe area, minimising threat to survivor effects and equipment and preventing escape of the fire into surrounding vegetation.

2.2 Use improvised means to start fire.

2.3 Prevent fire from extinguishing in all weather conditions.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

implementing fire safety

producing fire from traditional means and friction

nurturing the ember into a robust flame through the careful and sequential additions of tinder, kindling and fuel

maintaining a fire continuously regardless of weather conditions

demonstrating due regard to the safety of persons and equipment, and the surrounding environment

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

fire safety

hypothermia

range of applications of fire in a survival situation

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Prepare for fire starting

1.1 Collect, dry and protect tinder.

1.2 Collect, prepare and store kindling.

1.3 Collect, prepare and store fuel (branches, logs) in a dry location.

2. Start and maintain fire

2.1 Site and prepare a fire-safe area, minimising threat to survivor effects and equipment and preventing escape of the fire into surrounding vegetation.

2.2 Use improvised means to start fire.

2.3 Prevent fire from extinguishing in all weather conditions.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Collect, dry and protect tinder. 
Collect, prepare and store kindling. 
Collect, prepare and store fuel (branches, logs) in a dry location. 
Site and prepare a fire-safe area, minimising threat to survivor effects and equipment and preventing escape of the fire into surrounding vegetation. 
Use improvised means to start fire. 
Prevent fire from extinguishing in all weather conditions. 
Collect, dry and protect tinder. 
Collect, prepare and store kindling. 
Collect, prepare and store fuel (branches, logs) in a dry location. 
Site and prepare a fire-safe area, minimising threat to survivor effects and equipment and preventing escape of the fire into surrounding vegetation. 
Use improvised means to start fire. 
Prevent fire from extinguishing in all weather conditions. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFSUR008 - Produce fire using improvised means in a survival situation
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

DEFSUR008 - Produce fire using improvised means in a survival situation

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: