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 for an off-piste snowboarding activity.

1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the conditions of the activity.

1.2. Identify an appropriate activity site or location according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.3. Determine possible hazards associated with off-piste snowboarding in a variety of snow, terrain and weather conditions.

1.4. Access relevantsources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plans.

2. Select appropriate equipment.

2.1. Select suitable equipment after consideration of design and or construction features and contextual issues, and check that it is in good working order.

2.2. Adjust and fit equipment, according to manufacturer's specification, to ensure comfort and safety.

2.3. Select personal clothing for activity according to the design and or construction features appropriate for the conditions.

3. Apply off-piste snowboarding skills.

3.1. Participate in pre-snowboarding warm ups and stretching exercises.

3.2. Execute snowboard techniques demonstrating an upright centred stance and efficient blending of movements.

3.3. Adapt turn typesand shapes for the terrain and snow conditions and link together through the fall line.

3.4. Control speed with the shape of the turn and or by using side slipping.

3.5. Execute airs in off-piste terrain showing extension on take-off, flexion on landing, and stability throughout.

3.6. Approach hazards in a safe manner and minimise risks to self and group where possible.

3.7. Take measures to guard personal safety and safety of others while off-piste snowboarding.

4. Evaluate snowboarding activity.

4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.

4.2. Identify improvements for future off-piste snowboarding experiences.

Required skills

literacy skills to analyse, interpret and apply weather and environmental information, legislation and organisational policies and procedures

planning and organising skills to allocate and select relevant food, water, clothing and equipment for the off-piste snowboarding activity

communication skills to interact with other participants to maintain a positive and safe environment

problem-solving skills to:

respond appropriately to changing conditions,

navigate through off-piste conditions

determine techniques to use when off-piste snowboarding

self management skills to:

review and reflect on own performance

set goals to improve technique

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies such as an avalanche, and personal health care.

Required knowledge

relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct and legal access

Alpine Responsibility Code and snowboarding practices, snowsport area signs and regulations, and minimal impact codes to ensure safety and protection of environment

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for off-piste snowboarding, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

clothing requirements for outdoor activities and factors affecting appropriate clothing selection, such as layering and protective clothing

off-piste snowboarding techniques, such as the execution of turns, airs and sideslipping to demonstrate efficient riding

principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during activity

sources of weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity

emergency procedures and potential hazards, such as avalanches, relevant to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

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:

applies relevant process to plan equipment and supply requirements appropriate to the off-piste conditions and duration of the snowboarding activity

demonstrate off-piste snowboarding techniques, such as turns and side slipping, and safe off-piste snowboarding manoeuvres away from patrolled snowsport areas, such as controlling speed with the shape of the turn or by using side slipping

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple off-piste snowboarding activities to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a snowsport location with terrain suitable for off-piste snowboarding skills to be demonstrated

resources and information, such as principles of nutrition and weather sources to accurately plan and prepare for the off-piste snowboarding activity

equipment such as off-piste snowboards, bindings, boots, suitable clothing, goggles, helmet, backpack or bumbag, navigation equipment, rescue and first aid equipment and food and water.

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 of off-piste snowboarding strategies and techniques

observation of safe participation and demonstration of off-piste snowboarding skills, such as the execution of airs and turns

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:

SISOSKB404A Snowboard on advanced terrain.

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.

Food and water requirements may include:

range of foods:

perishability

packaging

storage.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines.

Conditions may include:

snow:

surface snow conditions

weather:

visibility

terrain.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

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

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

safety and emergency procedures

code of ethics

snowsport area signs and regulations

Alpine Responsibility Code and snowboarding practices within the code.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Off-piste snowboarding may include:

backcountry snowboarding

no lifts or patrols

extreme terrain and snow conditions

dangerous terrain such as cliffs, deep snow, chutes, and trees

navigation through off-piste conditions.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river heights

synoptic charts

high and low tides.

Equipment may include:

beanie

larger, off-piste snowboard

off-piste boots

bindings

wrist guards

gloves

sun glasses or goggles.

Design and or construction features may include:

side-cut

overall length

effective edge

torsional flex

camber

soft or hard boots

soft or hard bindings.

Comfort and safety may include:

height and weight

boot type

side-cut

overall length

effective edge

forward lean

stance width

stance angle

surfaces waxed.

Movements may include:

steering

edging

pressure control

sideslipping.

Turn types and shapes may include:

turn types:

skidded

edged

carved

shapes:

small radius

medium radius

large radius.

Shape of the turn may include:

open

unfinished

incomplete and or closed

finished

complete.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

Measures may include:

effective communication with other snowboarders

first aid and emergency response

rescue procedures

navigation

safe falling

observation of winter weather conditions and terrain

fluid and food intake

complying with all snowsport area signs and regulations

complying with Alpine Responsibility Code and snowboarding practices within the code.

Safety of others may include:

speed

distance from other snow users.

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.