This unit applies to those working as senior rafting guides or trip leaders who are responsible for coordinating and managing the conduct of single run and or multi day trips on Grade 3 rapids, including leadership in rescue situations. This may include those who coordinate other rafting guides with various levels of experience and skills.

This unit applies to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups, not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan for rafting trips.

1.1. Coordinate logistical details of rafting trip according to relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures and the operational management plan.

1.2. Determine trip objectives according to other guides and participant's characteristics, skills and experience.

1.3. Design a trip and choose a location or section of river that meets the participants needs, abilities and trip objectives.

1.4. Identify and implement risk management strategies that promote participant's safety.

1.5. Select equipment and resources required by participants and other guides during the rafting trip.

1.6. Inform appropriate authorities before commencing rafting trip.

2. Manage rafting trips.

2.1. Communicate relevant information to other guides involved in the rafting trip.

2.2. Manage general trip problems according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2.3. Supervise other guides on the river according to their experience and skill level the operational management plan.

2.4. Maintain communication with crew throughout trip

3. Apply paddling manoeuvres

3.1. Demonstrate a variety of manoeuvres on Grade 3 rapids maintaining hazard free lines, boat control and displaying good guiding technique.

3.2. Access and cross difficult areas on the river maintaining hazard free lines, boat control and displaying guiding technique.

4. Crisis response and management

4.1. Identify crisis management procedures as outlined in the organisation's emergency plan.

4.2. Apply rescue leadership skills with calm assurance in a simulated emergency river rescue.

4.3. Identify the roles and responsibilities of personnel in an emergency situation according to organisational policies and procedures and the operational management plan.

5. Complete post trip responsibilities and evaluate rafting trips.

5.1. Complete post trip tasks and evaluation according to organisational policies and procedures and the operational management plan.

5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of rafting trip and complete trip reports according to organisational policies and procedures.

5.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for managing future rafting trips.

5.4. Notify appropriate authorities of trip completion if applicable.

5.5. Supervise retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

5.6. Debrief and coach guides on performance where applicable.

Required skills

planning and organising skills to:

coordinate logistical details of trip

complete post trip tasks and evaluation

problem-solving skills to:

manage general trip problems

cross difficult areas on the river

maintain hazard free lines and boat control

apply risk and crisis management procedures where required

communication skills to:

outline all relevant information to other rafting guides and participants

notify and gain information from external agencies when necessary

leadership skills to:

delegate tasks in emergency and white water rescue situations

manage and supervise other guides during trip

teamwork skills to:

work with crew and apply rafting skills to maintain control of the raft

assist others in capsize and rescue procedures

effectively completing a sequence of paddling manoeuvres to negotiate multiple river features in a rapid on multiple occasions

river reading skills, such as direction and speed of flow, currents, eddies and other hydrological features to demonstrate good guiding technique and enable safe conduct

repair and maintenance skills to deal with emergencies and contingencies while coordinating rafting trip.

Required knowledge

legislation, organisational policies and procedures and the operational management plan to enable safe coordination and conduct of rafting trips

relevant government and peak bodies applicable to rafting to ensure safety and protection of environment

site-specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential rafting hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the area

equipment and raft types used on Grade 3 rapids, and material, construction and repair techniques to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements

hydrology and river features such as currents, banks, change in gradient and volume, and their impact on safety

international river grading system to understand conditions and appropriateness of the river to the level of participants

knots used to secure raft and perform rescues

broad range of rescue and recovery techniques

defensive and aggressive swimming techniques to maintain personal safety

interpretation of weather information to identify forecast conditions and their effect on the activity.

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 coordinates logistical details

ensures guides are appropriately qualified and experienced for the planned trip

applies trip leading skills and knowledge over multiple occasions and multiple venues

effectively guiding on multiple multi-day trips

applies effective crisis and risk management techniques to deal with a range of problems and variable factors that may arise during rafting trips

applies sequenced rafting manoeuvres to negotiate a range of white water river features while maintaining control of the raft

briefs and supervises other guides throughout trip and identifies roles and responsibilities of crew members in emergency and rescue situations

post trip documentation completed in accordance with organisational procedures

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure coordination and management of single run and multi day rafting trips on Grade 3 rapids to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

suitable inland rivers, with Grade 3 rapids, that enable the coordination and management of white water trips

a group of guides and participants to take part in the rafting trip

rafting, safety, rescue, navigation and communication equipment

organisational policies and procedures, relevant legislation, and organisation's operational plans to enable safe and legal operation

a suitable and safe method of transport, if required to drive raft to and from activity location.

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 safe coordination and management of other guides and participants throughout white water rafting trip

observation of advanced river guide and rafting skills on Grade 3 rapids, including white water rescue and recovery management

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, and operational plan to enable safe and legal conduct of rafting trip

observation of dealing with general trip problems and difficult areas on a river

review of trip plans and post-trip evaluations

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

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.

Logistical details may include:

briefings

timing

transportation

equipment and resource requirements

staffing requirements

communication requirements

participant information and screening

catering requirements.

Rafting trip may include:

single run trips

multi day trips.

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

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

communication protocols

risk and crisis management plans

responsibilities of crew in emergency situations

international river grading system

code of ethics.

Appropriate authorities may include:

National Parks service

Water board or authority

police

private land owners

local council

General trip problems may include:

overweight participants

drugs and alcohol affected participants

dissatisfied customers

equipment difficulties

trip cancellation

participants not wishing to continue trip

physical impairment.

Manoeuvres may include:

forward and reverse ferry gliding

breaking into and out of the current

avoiding obstacles

paddling through holes

paddling over drops

use of rocks to stop.

Difficult areas may include:

rock gardens

confused currents

boily or strong eddy lines

wave trains

fast and disturbed currents.

Crisis management procedures may include:

flood water conditions

extreme weather

emergency camps

on-river raft repairs

dealing with participant injuries or illness

participant evacuation

search and rescue

dealing with fatality.

Leadership skills may include:

prioritising risk (self, team, others)

talk, reach, throw, wade, row, go, tow principles

delegation of tasks

managing conflict

ensuring the safety of participants.

Relevant aspects may include:

coordinating logistical details of trip

identifying legal requirements governing rafting industry

supervising other guides

coordinating and managing emergencies, rescue situation s and trip problems

apply advance river guide techniques

customer satisfaction

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.