Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop lesson plans and instruct a broad range of clients in water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills. This involves using drills, activities and games according to best practice principles of aquatic activities.
This unit applies to those conducting learn-to-swim and water safety classes in swimming pools and confined natural shallow water venues. Work is performed according to relevant legislation including working with children and/or vulnerable people checks, organisational policies and procedures and best practice principles.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Develop lesson plans. | 1.1 Consider participant group characteristics and identify water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills to be developed. 1.2 Assess participant readiness. 1.3 Determine appropriate instructional methods to acquire the relevant skills. 1.4 Determine appropriate drills, activities and/or games for the participant group. 1.5 Develop and document lesson plans that incorporate key instructional information. |
2. Conduct lessons. | 2.1 Allocate sufficient space, assemble resources and check equipment for maintenance requirements. 2.2 Provide clear and accurate instruction on drills, activities and/or games. 2.3 Appropriately introduce participants to the water. 2.4 Demonstrate skills and techniques, and monitor the participation and performance of each participant. 2.5 Observe participant movement through water according to principles of movement in water and adjust or refine individual or group performance, as required. 2.6 Select and use communication techniques that encourage and support participants. 2.7 Modify activity, as required according to participant needs and factors that affect skills acquisition. 2.8 Respond to participants experiencing difficulties and answer questions as required. 2.9 Monitor time and complete drills, activities or games within time allocated. 2.10 Complete lesson documentation. |
3. Review and adapt instruction. | 3.1 Request and respond to feedback from participants. 3.2 Identify aspects needing further emphasis or attention in future sessions. 3.3 Review own performance and identify areas needing improvement. 3.4 Implement modifications to future instruction in response to feedback and review of participant progress. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
instruct water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills according to legal, ethical and organisational requirements
develop and implement at least three lesson plans that individually or cumulatively incorporate the following aspects of water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills and documents the teaching points, class formations, safety and equipment:
water familiarisation:
entering, leaving and moving through water
getting face wet
submerging and opening eyes under water
regaining a standing position
breathing
buoyancy and mobility:
front, back and side floating
gliding
torpedo
sculling
treading water
stroke exploration
use and modify the following instructional strategies for individuals and groups:
whole skill
whole, progressive part, whole
progressive part
demonstration
command and response
experiential or problem-solving
techniques to encourage the reluctant participant
reflect on the following key aspects of instruction:
the lesson
teaching methods used
risk management
potential ways to enhance learning opportunities.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
legal, ethical and organisational requirements and responsibilities for instruction:
work health and safety/occupational health and safety
working with children
duty of care/safe conduct of activities
best practice principles of aquatic activities
mandatory reporting
implications of negligence
waivers and exclusion clauses
insurance
anti-discrimination and equal opportunity
privacy and confidentiality
communication protocols
a recognised swimming teachers code of conduct
swimwear and personal protective equipment
characteristics of participant groups and appropriate drills for the various characteristics:
age
stage of development
physical or intellectual characteristics
cultural and situational factors
aspects of a body in water:
body position and density
vertical and lateral rotation
balance
forces effecting movement through water and the factors that affect each force:
buoyancy:
density
shape
symmetry and asymmetry
breathing
centre of gravity
centre of buoyancy
propulsion:
lift force
water friction
levers
resistance:
skin
frontal
eddy
principles of session planning to develop activity-specific plans:
expectations and aspirations of clients
numbers of clients
client background, experience and developmental stage
staff and financial resources
cultural and political influences
involvement and interest of parents
length and number of sessions
equipment, materials and provisions
precautions and other health and safety information
learning styles to enable the use of a variety of activities to cater for different client learning preferences:
auditory
kinaesthetic
visual
sensory
principles of growth and development to select and sequence appropriate tasks and activities
instructional methods and strategies, how and when they are used:
whole skill
whole, progressive part, whole
demonstration
command and response
experiential or problem-solving
techniques for reluctant participants
conditions, factors and external influences that effect participant uptake of skill:
physical, intellectual and emotional characteristics
environmental conditions
other facility users
spectators
parents
other instructors
background noise and distractions
class size
water depth
available water space
potential areas of ongoing instructor improvement:
knowledge
instructional skills and techniques
communication techniques that support and encourage participants
group control techniques
principles of movement in water and best practice principles of aquatic activities to enable safe, effective and consistent instruction in buoyancy and mobility skills
water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills to enable accurate and comprehensive instruction to participants
use, care and maintenance of equipment
cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques to enable initial response to emergencies as per Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in:
a workplace or simulated aquatic facility or confined natural shallow water environment.
Assessment must ensure use of:
organisational policies and procedures appropriate to risk management
swimming instructional equipment
participants to whom instruction is provided, these can be:
participants in a workplace, or
individuals who participate in project activities, role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, within a training organisation.
Assessment must ensure access to:
first aid facilities and equipment.
Assessment activities that allow the individual to:
develop and conduct lessons in industry required timeframes
respond to problems that typically arise in water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills instruction.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Sectors
Community Recreation
Competency Field
Aquatics