Critical aspects of evidence to be considered

• Assessment must confirm sufficient knowledge of factors affecting navigation techniques and route planning in unmodified landscapes in circumstances where extreme environmental conditions may occur

• Assessment of performance should be over a minimum of three (3) occasions covering all categories from the Range Statements that are applicable to navigating in unmodified landscapes within an activity- specific context in the learner's environment

• Assessment must confirm the ability to apply this knowledge and appropriate techniques to

independently navigate in an activity-specific context in unmodified landscapes

navigate in extreme weather conditions/poor visibility

apply varying navigation skills and techniques relevant to the

context to different remote locations/types of location within an activity-specific context

navigate in areas with different hazards, obstacles and topographic features

Interdependent assessment of units

• This unit must be assessed after attainment of competency in the following unit(s)

Nil

This unit must be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)

Nil

For the purpose of integrated assessment, this unit may be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)

Relevant units specific to participation in a particular outdoor activity

Required knowledge and skills

• Required knowledge

Factors affecting navigation techniques in extreme environmental conditions

Map types and sources of error

Use of a compass and factors that affect their accuracy

Route planning and issues that should be considered in extreme environmental conditions

Estimation of travelling times in unmodified landscape and/or difficult terrain/conditions

Techniques for estimating distance travelled in poor visibility

Backbearings and resections

Techniques to navigate around obstacles

Required skills

Problem solving

Maintenance of a compass bearing in poor visibility and/or extreme conditions

Observation of surroundings

Decision making

Resource implications

• Physical resources - assessment of this unit of competency requires access to

suitable outdoor activity locations/venues

maps

compass

watch

data sheet

Global Positioning System (GPS)

• Human resources - assessment of this unit of competency will require human resources consistent with those outlined in the Assessment Guidelines. That is, assessors (or persons within the assessment team) must

be competent in this unit

be competent, as a minimum, in the units SRXFAD001A , SRXRIK001A and SRXEMR001A to ensure adequate risk management during the assessment

be current in their knowledge and understanding of the industry through provision of evidence of professional activity in the relevant area

have attained the mandatory competency requirements for assessors under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) as specified in Standard 7.3 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations

Consistency in performance

• Due to issues such as differing terrain/location types, situations, this unit of competency must be assessed over a minimum of three (3) occasions in order to ensure consistency of performance over the Range Statements and contexts applicable to navigating in unmodified landscapes in situations where extreme environmental conditions may occur

Context for assessment

• This unit of competency must be assessed in the context of an outdoor recreation activity in unmodified landscapes. Competency in extreme environmental conditions/poor visibility may be demonstrated in a real or simulated environment whilst participating in an outdoor activity

• This unit of competency should be assessed through the observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on required knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes

• Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a "period of time" and/or in a "number of locations", any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

This unit has been developed for the Outdoor Recreation Industry Training Package.

This unit covers the knowledge and skills required to conduct navigation in unmodified landscapes where extreme environmental conditions and/or poor visibility are likely to occur and the activity participants need to operate independently.

Unmodified landscapes are those which are totally natural and there are no modifications to the natural surface so that track alignment is indistinct, there is no clearance along the track, there is no signage, the track is not managed for public risk and where the onset of extreme environmental conditions may have a significant adverse impact upon the activity.

This unit incorporates the unit SRONAV002B Navigate in difficult or trackless areas, and this should be taken into consideration when planning to meet pre-and co-requisite requirements.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Use a map

Select the type of map(s) suitable for the activity

Identify possible sources of error and inaccuracies on the map

Identify symbols and information contained on the map that may be used in navigation

Identify the way in which relevant symbols and information on the map can be used in navigation

Use a compass

Identify the essential features of a compass

Demonstrate the manner in which a compass is used to maintain a designated course

Demonstrate how compass use reflects understanding of the factors that affect accuracy

Plan a route in unmodified landscapes

Apply symbols and information contained on the map to plan an efficient route/course suitable to navigation and activity-specific abilities

btain additional information to assist in the preparation of a navigation data sheet from the map and from other suitable sources of information

Identify hazards in extreme environmental conditions

Consider other contextual issues in the planning of a route

Prepare a navigation data sheet/route card

Identify emergency or contingency escape routes

Consider environmental impact issues in the planning of a route

Navigate in unmodified landscapes in poor visibility and/or extreme environmental conditions

Maintain orientation of map to surroundings

Identify possible sources of navigation error in specific locations

Demonstrate combined use of map , compass and other techniques whilst following a route in unmodified landscapes

Demonstrate techniques for distance estimations of travel in the absence of identifying features

Maintain the designated course whilst bypassing obstacles

Demonstrate maintenance of a course in extreme environmental conditions and/or poor visibility

Fix position accurately and regularly using a combination of appropriate navigation techniques

Demonstrate an efficient route choice for the surroundings and conditions

Demonstrate suitable combinations of navigation techniques to fix position and identify unknown features when lost

Distance estimations

[all categories]

• pacing

• time

Hazards in extreme environmental conditions

• may include

river crossings and rising water levels

open water crossings

cliff lines

wet and slippery rocks

extreme heat

extreme cold

fog and mist

snow

severe storms/squalls

strong winds

heavy rain

currents

man-made features

Map

[all categories]

• topographic

• aerial photographs[all categories]

Navigation data sheet

[all categories]

• may include

grid reference points

grid and magnetic bearings

distances

estimated travelling times

height gain/loss

gradient

identifiable features

escape routes

Navigation techniques

[all categories]

• use of compass

• linear features

• point features

• attack points

• aiming off

• collecting features

• spiral search

• sweep search

• backbearings and resections

• use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

• use of stars and sun

• use of natural features

Obstacles

[all categories relevant to location of activity]

• thick vegetation

• drops and climbs

• marshes and bogs

• fog

• rivers, lakes and dams

Other contextual issues

[all categories]

• navigation and activity-specific abilities

• available clothing, equipment and resources

• fitness levels

• type of terrain or features of the location

• access and escape routes

• group size

• natural protection or shelter

Suitable sources of information

[all categories]

• guide books

• local inhabitants

• peers

• local clubs

Symbols and information

[all categories]

• grid lines and numbers

• contour lines

• magnetic variation

• scale

• map legend

• topographic features

Unmodified landscapes

• an area where all of the following occur

there are no modifications to the natural surface or the natural environment so that track alignment is indistinct

there is no clearance along the track

signage is generally not provided

there may include steep sections of unmodified surfaces and other terrain and man-made hazards

the track is not managed for public risk

there is an appreciable risk of onset of poor visibility

(These align to Class 6 Tracks within the Australian Standard for Walking Tracks AS 2156.1. Standards Australia 2001)