Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 12:09 PM AWST
22/07/2026 12:09 PM AWST
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Guide a raft on Grade 4 rapids
Guide a raft on Grade 4 rapids
Unit of competency
National Code
SISORAF403A
SISORAF403A
State Code
D6444
D6444
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to control a raft as a guide with a crew on grade 4 rapids according to the prescribed trip plan.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for a rafting activity.
- 1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues.
- 1.2. Confirm the chosen location or section of river for the trip is suitable according to participants' abilities, aims and objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.3. Implement the trip plan as designed by the trip leader according to the participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Choose a route or course that minimises environmental damage.
- 1.5. Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plan.
- 1.6. Identify hazards and obstacles associated with the rafting trip and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
2. Select equipment.
- 2.1. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip.
- 2.2. Fit and adjust equipment according to manufacturer's specifications to ensure comfort and safety.
- 2.3. Assess raft for safety and suitability and check that it is inflated to the required pressure.
- 2.4. Select safety and rescue equipment according to the activity location.
- 2.5. Waterproof, pack and fasten equipment that is not required on hand to ensure that it is not lost, damaged or a hindrance and prepare raft for transportation if required.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip.
- 3.2. Communicate relevant information and safety procedures effectively.
- 3.3. Arrange seating positions that are appropriate to the size and abilities of the paddlers.
4. Control raft in grade 4 rapids.
- 4.1. Conduct a crew drill, informing participants of guide commands and strokes that will be used, and practice participants in the use of these strokes.
- 4.2. Apply strokes and paddling manoeuvres effectively to control the raft.
- 4.3. Communicate effectively with crew, other guides, trip leader and other river uses.
5. Plan and run a route through a rapid.
- 5.1. Scout and assess sections of moving water to identify hydrological features, hazards and impediments.
- 5.2. Communicate the selected route to the crew.
- 5.3. Negotiate or avoid hazards using a combination of strokes, guide commands and manoeuvres.
- 5.4. Apply navigation skills to determine location and follow planned route or course during the activity.
6. Apply capsize and rescue procedures.
- 6.1. Maintain appropriate body position in the water to minimise injury or entrapment and apply defensive and aggressive swimming techniques.
- 6.2. Maintain a position upstream of the raft and recover paddles.
- 6.3. Manage capsize response of crew and equipment.
7. Complete post trip responsibilities.
- 7.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisation policies and procedures.
- 7.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of the rafting activity trip and complete trip reports according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 7.3. Review own performance and identify potential areas of improvement for future rafting trips
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:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Aims and objectives may include:
self improvement
social
fitness targets
adventure and recreation
outdoor education
wilderness therapy.
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 and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
code of ethics.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
safety and emergency requirements
river levels and section.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards slippery or unstable shore
poor posture, poor technique
poor carrying techniques
poor carrying techniques
loose or insecure craft when being transported
other craft.
Obstacles may include:
rocks
strainer
rocks
stoppers or holes
waterfalls
sieves
other crafts
change in river conditions.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment and course failure.
Equipment may include:
rafting equipment
navigation equipment
safety and rescue equipment
communication equipment.
Safety and rescue equipment may include:
pumps
bailers
repair kits
rescue rope
karabiners
Prusik loops
pulleys
tape slings
throw bags
knife
flip line
whistle.
Safety procedures may include:
what happens when participants fall out of the raft
holding onto T grip
information on throw bags
instruction when told to "hold on"
getting back into raft
selecting safest line through rapids
seating position to maximise raft stability
managing safe portages and river running
conducting raft repairs.
Guide commands may include:
forward paddle
back paddle
left and right turn
over left and right
hold on
high side
on the job
stop
Strokes may include:
forward
backwards
draws
sweeps
prys turns.
Paddling manoeuvres may include:
forward and reverse ferry glides
breaking in and out of eddies
eddy hopping
weight shifting.
Hydrological features may include:
rapid
pool
eddy
eddy line
current
stoppers or holes (smiling and frowning)
weir stoppers
boils
waves
sieves
undercuts
strainers
downstream V
upstream V
waterfalls
pour overs.
Defensive and aggressive swimming techniques may include:
defensive swimming:
floating passively on back, looking downstream
riding with the river current
pointing feet downstream, toes out of the water
using legs to fend off obstacles
aggressive swimming:
swimming freestyle on stomach
stroking hard to move across the current.
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.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Aims and objectives may include:
self improvement
social
fitness targets
adventure and recreation
outdoor education
wilderness therapy.
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 and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
code of ethics.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
safety and emergency requirements
river levels and section.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
volunteer marine rescue
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards slippery or unstable shore
poor posture, poor technique
poor carrying techniques
poor carrying techniques
loose or insecure craft when being transported
other craft.
Obstacles may include:
rocks
strainer
rocks
stoppers or holes
waterfalls
sieves
other crafts
change in river conditions.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment and course failure.
Equipment may include:
rafting equipment
navigation equipment
safety and rescue equipment
communication equipment.
Safety and rescue equipment may include:
pumps
bailers
repair kits
rescue rope
karabiners
Prusik loops
pulleys
tape slings
throw bags
knife
flip line
whistle.
Safety procedures may include:
what happens when participants fall out of the raft
holding onto T grip
information on throw bags
instruction when told to "hold on"
getting back into raft
selecting safest line through rapids
seating position to maximise raft stability
managing safe portages and river running
conducting raft repairs.
Guide commands may include:
forward paddle
back paddle
left and right turn
over left and right
hold on
high side
on the job
stop
Strokes may include:
forward
backwards
draws
sweeps
prys turns.
Paddling manoeuvres may include:
forward and reverse ferry glides
breaking in and out of eddies
eddy hopping
weight shifting.
Hydrological features may include:
rapid
pool
eddy
eddy line
current
stoppers or holes (smiling and frowning)
weir stoppers
boils
waves
sieves
undercuts
strainers
downstream V
upstream V
waterfalls
pour overs.
Defensive and aggressive swimming techniques may include:
defensive swimming:
floating passively on back, looking downstream
riding with the river current
pointing feet downstream, toes out of the water
using legs to fend off obstacles
aggressive swimming:
swimming freestyle on stomach
stroking hard to move across the current.
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.
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:
executes trip plan, including confident delivery of safety briefing and crew drill
applies knowledge of rivers and hydrology by effectively completing a sequence of paddling manoeuvres to negotiate multiple river features in a rapid on multiple occasion. negotiate multiple rapids and hazards using efficient strokes, clear and confident commands on fast currents and applies capsizing techniques and rescue procedures.
evaluates and reflects on own rafting performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement
monitors and maintains the safety of clients and raft equipment and applies effective contingency management to deal with problems and issues that arise during the activity.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation as a guide in rafting activities on grade 4 rapids that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
suitable inland rivers with Grade 4 rapids
resources and information to plan and prepare for the rafting activity
suitable crew
a suitable and safe method of transport, if required to drive raft to and from activity location
rafting, navigation, safety, rescue and communication equipment.
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 stroke techniques used to control and manoeuvre the raft through grade 4 rapids
observation of safe participation and demonstration of rafting skills to move in and out of eddies and travel in different directions
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:
SISOWWR404A Perform complex white water rescues and recoveries.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
executes trip plan, including confident delivery of safety briefing and crew drill
applies knowledge of rivers and hydrology by effectively completing a sequence of paddling manoeuvres to negotiate multiple river features in a rapid on multiple occasion. negotiate multiple rapids and hazards using efficient strokes, clear and confident commands on fast currents and applies capsizing techniques and rescue procedures.
evaluates and reflects on own rafting performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement
monitors and maintains the safety of clients and raft equipment and applies effective contingency management to deal with problems and issues that arise during the activity.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation as a guide in rafting activities on grade 4 rapids that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
suitable inland rivers with Grade 4 rapids
resources and information to plan and prepare for the rafting activity
suitable crew
a suitable and safe method of transport, if required to drive raft to and from activity location
rafting, navigation, safety, rescue and communication equipment.
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 stroke techniques used to control and manoeuvre the raft through grade 4 rapids
observation of safe participation and demonstration of rafting skills to move in and out of eddies and travel in different directions
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:
SISOWWR404A Perform complex white water rescues and recoveries.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C6256 | SRORAF004A | Guide clients on raft trips | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBF01 | SISORAF003 | Guide a raft on grade 4 rivers | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| D445 | SIS50310 | Diploma of Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |