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

SISOBWG404A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply river crossing skills

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOBWG404A - Apply river crossing skills
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to select a suitable location and apply methods of crossing a river during a bushwalk. This unit focuses on the demonstration of various river crossing methods in safe rapids, such as those done individually and those which need mutual support.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those working as bushwalking guides, assistant guides or support staff for private outdoor adventure companies and or school based outdoor education programs, such as holiday programs and camps. This unit may also apply to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil
Competency Field
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: Plan a river crossing.
  • Identify river features.
  • Identify potential hazards and risks associated with crossing rivers.
  • Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information.
  • Waterproof backpack contents.
  • Select and justify an appropriate location to cross a river according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedure.
       
Element: Apply swimming techniques in moving water.
  • Adopt the correct body position for defensive swimming.
  • Demonstrate the negotiation of hazards using defensive swimming techniques and ferry angles.
  • Identify and demonstrate techniques to actively free oneself from river hazards using aggressive swimming techniques.
  • Demonstrate the ability to set a ferry angle in order to reach the bank or eddy.
       
Element: Apply river crossing techniques.
  • Demonstrate the ability to wade across a swift current of mid-thigh depth, using a wide variety of river crossing methods.
  • Complete entry to and exit from river safely.
  • Demonstrate safe retreating from a partial river crossing.
  • Demonstrate appropriate use of upstream and downstream safety.
       


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.

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 knowledge of river features and hazards to select a suitable crossing site and plans for a safe crossing

applies defensive and aggressive swimming techniques to negotiate river crossings

adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise during the river crossing, such as change in current and or weather conditions, and makes appropriate adjustments in response to these contingencies to ensure safety of self and group.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple river crossings that reflect local conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable moving water location with safe rapids to minimise the danger of being swept downstream into more difficult conditions

equipment such as a pole and rope, to aid in the crossing technique.

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 process

oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of the relationship between features, hazards and risks associated with crossing moving water rivers

observation of safe participation and demonstration of swimming and river crossing techniques

observation of dealing with contingencies, such as changing weather conditions

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISOBWG404A Bushwalk in unmodified landscapes.

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.

Required skills

communication skills to discuss, negotiate and apply appropriate river crossing methods with other participants

problem-solving skills to determine river crossing methods appropriate to the conditions

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care

swimming skills to free oneself from potential hazards.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all river crossing activities

river crossing methods and techniques to cross rivers in a safe manner after selection of a suitable crossing location

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

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

hydrology and river grading systems, to understand how rivers work so decisions can be made accordingly

aggressive and defensive swimming techniques to get free from hazards

equipment improvisation to help with the river crossing

first aid appropriate to location and level of responsibility.

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.

River features may include:

eddy

current

tongue

waves

bank

rocks.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

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

Appropriate location may include:

narrow, straight part of the river

low banks

less than waste deep.

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

equipment use and maintenance

communication protocols

emergency procedures.

Defensive swimming techniques may include:

floating passively on back

riding with the river current

pointing feet downstream

using arms and legs to fend off obstacles

swimming to shore or safety.

Aggressive swimming techniques may include:

moving on to stomach

pointing feet downstream

stroking hard to move across the current

swimming to shore or safety.

River crossing methods may include:

individual without aid

individual with a pole

mutual support using linked arms, a circle or a pole

swimming using pack as a float.

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
Identify river features. 
Identify potential hazards and risks associated with crossing rivers. 
Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information. 
Waterproof backpack contents. 
Select and justify an appropriate location to cross a river according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedure. 
Adopt the correct body position for defensive swimming. 
Demonstrate the negotiation of hazards using defensive swimming techniques and ferry angles. 
Identify and demonstrate techniques to actively free oneself from river hazards using aggressive swimming techniques. 
Demonstrate the ability to set a ferry angle in order to reach the bank or eddy. 
Demonstrate the ability to wade across a swift current of mid-thigh depth, using a wide variety of river crossing methods. 
Complete entry to and exit from river safely. 
Demonstrate safe retreating from a partial river crossing. 
Demonstrate appropriate use of upstream and downstream safety. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOBWG404A - Apply river crossing skills
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

SISOBWG404A - Apply river crossing skills

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: