PUADEFSU006B - Navigate using celestial aids in a survival situation

PUADEFSU006B
Navigate using celestial aids in a survival situation

This unit covers the competency required to navigate using celestial aids in a survival situation i.e. in the absence of standard navigational instruments such as maps, compass, protractor and satellite geo-positioning systems (GPS).While the individual may not know the map coordinates of the start point, this unit covers the ability to navigate successfully relative to that start point. This is important because the start point may be a broken vehicle or downed aircraft, which, though immovable, still have critical survival resources, and will be the main focus of search and rescue agencies.Alternatively, if an approximate position is known relative to a highway, waterway or coast, where either survival or rescue is better effected, the individual will have sufficient skills and knowledge to remain on a constant bearing and estimate distance travelled.

Application

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Establish cardinal points by day using the sun	1.1 Complete movement of the sun is recorded over a solar day using a sun compass constructed in an open and level area 1.2 True north, associated cardinal points and the arc of the sun are annotated on the sun compass 1.3 True north and associated cardinal points are notated using a quick shadow stick method and allowance is made for the deviation arising from early morning or late afternoon siting
2. Establish cardinal points by night using celestial aids	2.1 Celestial bodies are identified in the sky and used to extrapolate the location of cardinal points directly 2.2 Celestial bodies are identified in the sky and used to extrapolate the location of the celestial pole 2.3 Celestial pole is used to extrapolate true south (or north) on the earth/sky horizon and a compass showing all cardinal points is established on the ground
3. Employ improvised direction measuring techniques	3.1 An analysis is conducted, based upon the survival situation, and an appropriate direction of travel (if any) is selected to optimise survival or rescue 3.2 An improvised protractor is made using a multi-folded sheet of paper and the desired angle of direction is annotated 3.3 Protractor is aligned with the established cardinal points of the compass, and the annotated angle is used to select a coincident recognisable feature in the distance 3.4 Recognisable feature or interim way-point is approached in a direct line from the start-point
4. Employ improvised time measuring techniques	4.1 Elapsed time is estimated by measuring the angle of a segment of the sun's transit and applying an angle by rate calculation 4.2 Elapsed time is estimated by measuring the rotation of a celestial body around the celestial pole, and applying an angle by rate calculation
5. Employ improvised distance measuring techniques	5.1 Distance is estimated by counting number of paces taken and applying a paces by length of pace calculation 5.2 Distance is estimated by travelling at constant estimated velocity and applying a velocity by time calculation
6. Determine overall position relative to start point and navigate back	6.1 Grid system using a standard scale is plotted on a sheet of paper, and cardinal points and start point are annotated 6.2 Physical navigation movements are plotted as scaled vectors from the start point 6.3 Individual navigation vectors are aggregated to determine final position relative to the start point 6.4 Return vector is determined in order to return to the start point

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

identify celestial bodies

basic mathematics:

distance travelled:

velocity x time

pace length x number of paces

elapsed time:

rate of (apparent) movement of sun (15 degrees/hour x solar angle subtended)

rate of (apparent) movement of night sky around the celestial pole (15 degrees/hour x angle subtended by nominated celestial body)

Required Knowledge

angles (in degrees)

basic physics (velocity/distance/time)

cardinal points:

magnetic

true

earth's orbit and rotation in relation to the sun and night sky including the celestial pole phenomenon

Evidence Required



Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Assessment must confirm the ability to navigate: 5 km within a solar day, which may be broken into legs of not less than 1 km, but must include at least four legs, as part of a navigation circuit; on completion, navigators are to submit a vector diagram detailing their final position relative to their start point accurate to within 10 percent (of distance and direction) 5 km within 8 hours at night, which may be broken into legs of not less than 1 km, but must include at least four legs, as part of a navigation circuit; on completion, navigators are to submit a vector diagram detailing their final position relative to their start point accurate to within 10 percent (of distance and direction). Assessment must also confirm the ability to: Day - make adjustments for the shadow arc, dependent upon the time, when using only a partial segment of a solar day (maximum 20 minute fix) to locate the cardinal points; and to indicate true north to within 10 percent with a sun compass, using a 20 minute fix Night - implement contingency skills when there is partial cloud in the night sky; and to employ five different celestial body indication techniques to locate the cardinal points, either directly or through extrapolation via the celestial pole. Consistency in performance Competency must be demonstrated at least once in a simulated survival situation.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Context of assessment Competency must be assessed in a simulated workplace environment. While a person can demonstrate the technical ability to navigate using celestial aids, doing so in a survival situation is crucial; consequently, it is strongly recommended that holistic assessment be conducted with other associated survival units. Assessment under simulated survival conditions should include: food restrictions (food should be restricted to half the recommended daily caloric intake) the absence of normal living conditions and amenities such as showers, beds and bedding (warmth to be provided by fire), kitchens etc. with the attendant levels of personal discomfort and fatigue a significant period of time - the recommendation is four days. Specific resources for assessment Access to a suitable assessment area with no artificial navigation reference points that would assist the individual, such as towers and power lines; and paper and pen
Guidance information for assessment	Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

Range Statement


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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Associated cardinal points include	South East West
Quick shadow stick method includes	Maximum of 20 minutes of solar transit
Celestial bodies may include	Nebulae Moon Planets Stars (including constellations of stars)
Celestial pole may be	North South
Recognisable features may include	Celestial body Prominent geographic feature
Way points may include	Distinguishable trees Hillocks/mounds
Constant estimated velocity includes	Walking pace of 4 km/h
Physical navigation movements include	Direction Distance
Return vector includes	Bearing Distance

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.