This unit applies to those working as canyoning guides who are responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating canyoning trips conducted in a range of uncontrolled environments and locations with a variety of terrain obstacles, hazards and multi pitch conditions.

This may apply to canyoning leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers, volunteer organisations or government agencies.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan a canyoning trip.

1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the conditionofparticipants.

1.2. Develop a trip plan according to relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures and participant's needs.

1.3. Select a canyon suitable to participants and trip objectives according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.4. Identify hazards associated with canyoning and minimise risks to ensure safety of participants.

1.5. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine trip plan.

1.6. Determine food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the trip.

1.7. Identify most appropriate belay system according to participant's abilities and conditions at the site.

1.8. Inform appropriate authorities before commencing the canyoning trip.

2. Select equipment for the group.

2.1. Select equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.

2.2. Assess equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.

2.3. Establish anchors and ropes, ensuring they are in correct position for the activity.

2.4. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the canyon.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the canyoning trip in a manner suitable to the participants.

3.2. Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the trip and activities.

3.3. Explain symptoms, treatment and prevention of hypothermia, hyperthermia and dehydration to group to assist in self-monitoring.

3.4. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while canyoning.

3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for canyoning activities.

4. Lead canyoning trip.

4.1. Demonstrate canyoning techniques to participants.

4.2. Monitor canyoning techniques to ensure safety of participants.

4.3. Identify potential hazards and decide how they can be overcome or avoided.

4.4. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.

4.5. Implement appropriate modifications to activities in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.

5. Complete post trip responsibilities.

5.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of canyoning trip.

5.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future canyoning trips.

5.4. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan a canyoning trip that meets their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the trip

interact with participants to create a safe and positive canyoning environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan a suitable canyoning trip according to participant's needs and abilities

make decisions about potential hazards that may affect trip

modify aspects of trips according to all variable factors and non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate equipment and suitable canyon location

organise participants into manageable groups for abseiling and belaying activities

language and literacy skills to:

produce plans

complete post trip participant and self evaluations

personal canyoning skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain multi pitch techniques to participants

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

Required knowledge

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

minimal impact canyoning codes to ensure protection of the environment

site specific information to enable safe and effective planning and management of potential canyoning hazards and any special restrictions applying to the area

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for multi pitch canyoning to enable its selection, use and maintenance appropriate to the activity and location

clothing and footwear requirements for canyoning and factors affecting appropriate clothing selection, such as layering and protective clothing

principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during the trip

canyoning techniques and common communication systems used between abseilers and belayers when canyoning to reduce risk

belay systems, devices and anchors appropriate for multi pitch canyons

technical abseiling knowledge, such as advantages and disadvantages of various knots in a variety of situations

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the trip

emergency and rescue procedures, potential hazards and obstacles relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others.

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:

plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner

applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during canyoning trips

encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of canyoning trips in locations that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable canyon that enables the demonstration and practice of multi pitch canyoning activities

participants to take part in the canyoning trip

resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document canyoning activities for a variety of participants

canyoning, abseiling, belaying, protection, navigation, communication, safety and first aid equipment.

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 planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation

observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all canyoning activities during trip

review of canyoning trip plans

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:

SISOCAY406A Establish complex belays in canyons

SISOOPS303A Interpret weather conditions in the field

SISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescues.

Guidance information for assessment

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.

Condition of participants may include:

previous experience

physical capabilities

age

injuries and illnesses.

Plan may include:

aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location, equipment and resources

guide and participant ratios

safety requirements

risk and contingency management plan.

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

time and budget constraints

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

communication protocols

confidentiality of participant information

guide and participant ratios

emergency and safety procedures

code of ethics.

Canyon may include:

intermittent vertical pitches of variable length

multi-pitch abseils with belay stations mid-pitch

terrain obstacles which obstruct regular route

wet sections

flowing water and resultant hydrological formations.

Trip objectives may include:

self improvement

meeting people

fitness targets

adventure and recreation.

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

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land manager or agencies

local knowledge

police.

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.

Food and water requirements may include:

menu planning and preparation

range of foods.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines

individual food requirements and allergies.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Belay system may include:

top belay

bottom brake.

Appropriate authorities may include:

authorities

supervisors.

Equipment may include:

canyoning equipment

abseiling and belaying equipment

safety, first aid and rescue equipment

navigation equipment

communication equipment

repair equipment.

Relevant information may include:

safety procedures

logistical details

risk and hazard prevention and management

canyoning, abseiling and belaying techniques

responsible and safe behaviour.

Safety procedures may include:

procedures for inversion and entrapment

pre activity and safety checks

safety procedures applied at top and bottom of descent

wearing of helmets

safety ropes

positioned out of direct line of gear fall

use of safety and rescue equipment.

Canyoning techniques may include:

liloing

white water swimming

river running

abseiling

belaying.

Variable factors may include:

change of weather and conditions

equipment failure

participant's needs.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

Canyoning

This unit contains employability skills.