SISOCAY508A
Instruct canyoning skills

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to instruct canyoning skills. This unit focuses on planning, instructing and evaluating instructional canyoning sessions to enable participants to achieve the skills and knowledge required to participate independently, or with minimal supervision, in a canyoning activity.

Application

This unit applies to those working as canyoning instructors who are responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating instructional sessions for groups of participants in a range of controlled and uncontrolled environments and locations with a variety of terrain obstacles, hazards and single and or multi pitch conditions.

This may apply to canyoning leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers, volunteer groups, not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Plan a canyoning session.

1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics.

1.2. Assess participant's current canyoning knowledge in order to determine the session's aims and objectives.

1.3. Determine an appropriate instructional plan according to participant's needs and characteristics.

1.4. Develop a canyoning plan according to participant's needs and characteristics, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.5. Identify potential hazards associated with canyoning and minimise risks according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.6. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information and determine contingency plans.

2. Select and organise equipment and resources.

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

2.2. Check equipment for safety and suitability according to relevant legislation and manufacturer's recommendations, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.

2.3. Check contents of first aid and repair kits to ensure suitability to the location and activity.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the canyoning session in a manner appropriate to the participants.

3.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.

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

3.4. Inform participants of known and anticipated hazards, safety procedures and appropriate behaviour.

3.5. Check and confirm that all participant equipment is fitted and adjusted.

4. Instruct a canyoning session.

4.1. Conduct warm-up and or introductory activities for participants to reduce the risk of injury.

4.2. Monitor individual participant's performance during canyoning session.

4.3. Apply instructional techniques to impart activity specific knowledge, canyoning skills and safety and rescue procedures.

4.4. Demonstrate procedures for dealing with emergency and non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.5. Allow time for cooling down at the end of the session and inform participants of opportunities to further develop their canyoning skills and knowledge.

5. Complete post session responsibilities.

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

5.2. Provide opportunities for participants to identify their personal progress and satisfaction with the session and give feedback.

5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of the canyoning session and determine the level of learning achieved.

5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future sessions.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan an appropriate canyoning session

convey information about the safety aspects of the session

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan canyoning sessions according to participant's needs and characteristics

address participant difficulties in developing techniques

anticipate and respond to non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and suitable locations

monitor and evaluate progress

organise participants into manageable groups for canyoning activities

language and literacy skills to:

produce canyoning and instructional plans for the session

complete post session participant and self evaluations

personal canyoning skills to a high level of technical correctness to enable demonstration and explanation of techniques to participants

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies whilst instructing canyoning.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe conduct of canyoning activities performed during canyoning sessions

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 canyoning, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

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

care and maintenance of canyoning equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements

instructional techniques and strategies applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities to enable effective instruction of participants with different needs and characteristics

principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy throughout the session

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

belay systems, devices and anchors appropriate for a range of canyons

technical canyoning 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 session

first aid, emergency and rescue procedures relevant to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

Evidence Required

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 and delivers information, explanations and demonstrations for canyoning sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs and characteristics

observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve canyoning performance

uses and modifies instructional techniques and or activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles

evaluates and reflects on own instruction performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure instruction of multiple canyoning activities that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, instruct and document canyoning sessions

a suitable canyon location for the conduct of instructional sessions

a group of participants to take part in the canyoning session

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

relevant regulatory requirements.

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:

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

observation of safe canyoning instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics

portfolio of canyoning session 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:

SISOCAY405A Apply advanced vertical canyoning skills

SISOCAY406A Establish complex belays in canyons

SISOOPS303A Interpret weather conditions in the field

SISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescues.


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, 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.

Characteristics may include:

age

cultural and situational factors

previous experience and knowledge

physical development.

Session's aims and objectives may include:

develop canyoning skills and techniques

education

therapy

fitness targets

recreation.

Instructional plan may include:

canyoning activities and drills

duration of activities and drills.

Canyoning plan may include:

aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location, resources and equipment

instructor and participant ratios

safety requirements

risk management plan.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

risk management procedures

time and budget constraints

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

confidentiality of participant information

instructor and participant ratios

code of ethics.

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

coastal patrol or coast guard

volunteer marine rescue

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.

Contingency plans may include:

change in weather and conditions

equipment failure.

Equipment may include:

canyoning equipment

abseiling and belaying equipment

safety and rescue equipment

navigation equipment

communication equipment.

Resources may include:

clothing and footwear

teaching aids.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Relevant information may include:

risk and hazard prevention and management

canyoning techniques

safety procedures

rules and codes

responsible and safe behaviour.

Safety procedures may include:

A - anchors - secure and suitable to application

B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations

C - connectors - locked, secured and orientated

D - devices - threaded correctly and secured

E - everything else including end of rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured

F - friend - cross check.

Instructional techniques may include:

simple to complex

part to whole

chronological

known to unknown

E.D.I.C.T:

explain

demonstrate

instruct

critique

test

I.D.E.A:

introduce

demonstrate

explain

apply

orientate, enhance, synthesise.

Required knowledge may include:

canyon features and conditions

minimal impact practices

risk and hazard management

communication systems used in canyoning.

Canyoning skills may include:

liloing and white water swimming

river running

abseiling and belaying

navigating

negotiating hazards and minimising risks.

Safety and rescue procedures may include:

emergency response

group management in emergency situations

symptoms, treatment and prevention of common canyoning risks.

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.


Sectors

Outdoor Recreation


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.