Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to lead and supervise dependent participants during bushwalking activities in difficult tracked environments according to predetermined activity plans which might be self-developed or developed by others. It covers the skills required to adjust activities according to prevailing conditions and participant capabilities.
It requires the ability to demonstrate and instruct bushwalking techniques applicable to difficult tracked environments. To do this, leaders must be proficient in bushwalking skills in difficult tracked environment which are covered by other units.
This unit applies to any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.
It applies to leaders who work independently using discretion and judgement to manage operational logistics and risk within predetermined guidelines.
When working at or close to base and assistance, they manage routine problems in consultation with relevant personnel. Where assistance is not immediately available, leaders use additional skills, covered by other units, to manage significant problems, e.g. rescues, injury or illness in remote locations.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
• lead three bushwalks for a group of participants according to predetermined activity plans
• across the three bushwalks, collectively use two different demonstration and instruction techniques
• during each bushwalk consistently manage participant adherence to safety procedures
• after each bushwalk, facilitate a debrief with participant and participate in a team member debrief
• utilise options provided in Assessment Conditions to:
• determine a total of three required activity modifications to suit prevailing conditions and participant capabilities and responses
• respond to a total of three different immediate safety risks that have arisen during activities
• respond to a total of two emergency situations and complete two incident reports
• complete two reports on equipment faults.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
• organisational safety, emergency response and first aid procedures for bushwalking activities
• a range of demonstration and instruction techniques applicable to recreational activities
• appropriateness of different demonstration and instruction techniques for a range of ages and capabilities
• the importance of verbalising instructions during demonstrations and providing reasons for doing things in a certain way
• techniques used to:
• build group cohesion
• motivate and encourage participants to keep them engaged and challenged
• provide constructive feedback to participants
• key principles of group dynamics and techniques used to manage positive group dynamics
• signs, stages and levels of conflict within groups and techniques used to resolve at various stages of escalation
• specific to bushwalking activities in difficult tracked environments:
• roles and responsibilities of different activity leaders and support staff
• communication protocols used between participants and leaders during activities
• how characteristics of participants affect the selection of equipment, including personal protective equipment:
• age, size and weight
• current experience in the recreational activity and skill level
• fitness level and physical capabilities
• injuries and medical conditions
• emotional, behavioural and intellectual ability or disability
• typical group equipment and how this is distributed amongst participants and leaders
• how to establish the capabilities of self, other leaders and participants to carry appropriate weight in backpack
• potential hazards and associated risks and safety procedures used to manage these.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in a setting where bushwalking activities are delivered in difficult tracked environments. Tracks must feature the following:
• be generally distinct tracks but without major modification to the ground; some parts of the track can be indistinct
• have surfaces that are generally unstable with many natural obstacles such as rocky or loose tread, roots, rocks and fallen tree logs
• have steep sections and arduous climbs
• have signage at the track head, with route markers but limited signage en route
• be marked on maps.
If in an alpine region and snow is present, assessment can only be completed if the track remains discernible.
The following resources must be available to replicate industry conditions of operation:
• first aid equipment
• communication equipment for emergency response
• rescue equipment.
Assessment must ensure use of:
• a group of participants whom the individual leads
• real workplace situations, or simulated activities, or case study scenarios that test aspects of this unit that relate to:
• activity modifications for prevailing conditions and participant needs
• arising safety risks
• emergency situations
• equipment faults
• backpacks
• food, water, shelter and camping equipment for duration of assessment
• clothing and footwear suitable for the conditions
• activity plans to include details of planned route
• template:
• safety checklists
• participant informed consents
• equipment fault reports
• incident reports
• organisational safety, emergency response and first aid procedures for bushwalking activities.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and:
• have a collective period of at least three years’ experience as a bushwalking leader, guide or instructor, where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency; the three years’ experience can incorporate full and or part time experience.

Foundation Skills

• {'skill': 'Reading skills to:', 'description': 'interpret detailed familiar organisational policies and procedures.'}
• {'skill': 'Writing skills to:', 'description': 'use fundamental sentence structure to complete forms such as safety checklists, equipment fault and incident reports that require factual information.'}
• {'skill': 'Oral communications skills to:', 'description': 'provide clear and unambiguous instructions to participants using language and terms easily understood; ask open and closed probe questions and actively listen to determine participants’ understanding of instructions.'}
• {'skill': 'Teamwork skills to:', 'description': 'pro-actively and cooperatively work within teams of leaders, support and operational staff to organise activity logistics, solve operational problems and deliver a quality experience to participants.'}
• {'skill': 'Planning and organising skills to:', 'description': 'manage own timing and that of participants to complete activities within organisational service times.'}

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