SISCAQU009
Instruct water safety and survival skills


Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop lesson plans and instruct water safety and survival skills to both children and adults using drills, activities and games.

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 of aquatic activities.

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 safety and survival skills to be developed.

1.2 Assess participant readiness to acquire the relevant skills.

1.3 Determine instructional methods appropriate to the participant group.

1.4 Determine appropriate drills, activities 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 safety and maintenance requirements.

2.2 Provide clear and accurate instruction in drills, activities and/or games and confirm understanding.

2.3 Introduce participants to the water in an appropriate manner.

2.4 Demonstrate skills and techniques to participant group.

2.5 Observe and monitor participation and performance of each participant according to principles of movement in water and adjust as required.

2.6 Select and use communication techniques that encourage and support participants.

2.7 Modify lesson as required, according to participant needs and factors that affect skill development.

2.8 Respond to participants experiencing difficulties, and answer questions as required.

2.9 Use techniques to maintain group control.

2.10 Monitor time and complete drills, activities and games within allocated time.

2.11 Complete lesson documentation and progress notes.

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 to both children and adults according to legal, ethical and organisational requirements

develop and implement at least three lesson plans that individually or cumulatively incorporate the following water safety and survival skills and documents the teaching points, class formations, safety and equipment considerations:

entering and exiting the water

floating, sculling and treading water

using personal flotation devices (PFD)

recognising casualties

applying self-preservation techniques

non-swimming and swimming rescues

applying survival strokes

use the following drills during instruction:

survival strokes – sidestroke, survival backstroke, survival breaststroke

current accepted industry training

skill correction drills

modified games

use and modify the following instructional strategies for individuals and groups:

whole skill strategies

whole, progressive part, whole strategies

progressive part strategies

demonstration strategies

experiential or problem-solving strategies

command and response strategies

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

accepted preventative practice adopted throughout the aquatic industry to minimise safety hazards or risks

culture of swimming and water safety

characteristics of the different participant groups:

age

stage of development

physical or intellectual characteristics

cultural and situational factors

principles of movement in water:

buoyancy

flotation

hydrostatic pressure

propulsion

lift

drag

turbulence

acceleration

resistance

balance and stability

factors which affect movement in water:

body alignment

balance

core power

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

instructional methods and principles:

whole skill strategies

progressive part strategies

demonstration strategies

command and response strategies

experiential or problem-solving strategies

techniques to encourage the reluctant participant

principles of growth and development to select and sequence appropriate tasks and activities

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

use, maintenance and care of equipment, including:

flotation devices

reaching poles

ropes

group management techniques

communication techniques that support and encourage participants

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:

flotation devices

ropes

reaching poles

pool safety 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 safety and survival 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