Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
24/07/2026 12:16 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Perform complex white water rescues and recoveries

Perform complex white water rescues and recoveries

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOWWR403A
State Code
D6521
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
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
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to perform rescues and recoveries in complex and non-predicable situations in rafting, canoeing or kayaking activities on water up to Grade 4 standard.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine rescue and recovery technique.
  • 1.1. Assess the situation and identify potential hazards and risks to self and others.
  • 1.2. Identify a rescue and recovery method suitable to the situation according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.3. Select equipmentandresources required to perform identified rescues and recoveries in white water.
  • 1.4. Communicate rescue and recovery plan to those assisting.
2. Undertake rescues and recoveries.
  • 2.1. Perform rescue using a reach technique.
  • 2.2. Use throw resources to reach a swimmer in moving water.
  • 2.3. Demonstrate towing techniques in moving water.
  • 2.4. Use safe contact methods to rescue and transport a swimmer.
  • 2.5. Tether a craft in order to perform a rescue or recovery, where required.
  • 2.6. Identify and use a range of methods to release an entrapment victim, according to the situation, type of entrapment and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.7. Communicate directions to other members of the rescue team.
  • 2.8. Hazards are avoided and managed whilst conducting a rescue or recovery according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
3. Use mechanical advantage systems.
  • 3.1. Identify situations requiring the use of mechanical advantage systems.
  • 3.2. Determine the type of system required according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 3.3. Establish suitable mechanical advantage systems to perform rescues and recoveries in a range of complex situations.
  • 3.4. Use system equipment in a safe manner according to manufacturer's recommendations and organisational policies and procedures, to ensure that design limits are not exceeded.
  • 3.5. Modify the system to increase efficiency where necessary, and clearly communicate system changes.
4. Conclude rescue and recovery operations.
  • 4.1. Check and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines.
  • 4.2. Evaluate activity and identify improvements for future white water rescues and recoveries.
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.
Assess may include:
scouting hazards
identifying the degree of urgency
availability of physical and human resources.
Complex situation may include:
limited physical and human resources available
unpredictable white water, up to grade 4 standard
more than one person or craft requiring rescue and recovery
difficulty in establishing anchors or tensioned lines
hazards to rescuers.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
stoppers or holes
waves
waterfalls
strainers
man made objects
rocks
sieves
other river uses
high water.
Risks may include:
drowning
water immersion or submersion
injury
entrapment
exposure.
Rescue and recovery methods must include:
talk
reach
throw
wade
row
go
tow.
Contextual issues may include:
resources
level of consciousness of victim
rescue situation
type of craft
season and weather
river height.
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
risk management
communication protocols
access to medical personnel
removal of casualties
code of ethics.
Equipment and resources may include:
rescue and recovery equipment
mechanical advantage systems
personal protective equipment
activity-specific equipment.
Throw resources may include:
throw bags
rope coils.
Tether may include:
two and or four point boat tether system
high line tyrolean with a craft (telfer lower).
Entrapment may include:
limb
body
recirculation
rope entanglements.
Situations may include:
rescue of paddler
recovery of craft
trapped paddler
recovery of other equipment
tension line across river.
Mechanical advantage systems may include:
z drags
pig-rigs
vector pulls
3:1 ratio
4:1 ratio.
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:
Carry out multiple rescues ultising the full range of rescue and recovery methods, one of these being in a time critical environment
Release and rescue a wrapped, pinned or broached craft using the full range of mechanical advantage system ensuring equalisation of load anchors to minimise damage to craft
Safely rescue a victim or recover a craft using the full range of tethered craft
Lead and coordinate a rescue using an incident command system.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of rescues and recoveries in complex and unpredictable white water rapids, up to Grade 4 standard, that are of sufficient breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a white water location, with up to Grade 4 standard white water
personnel for team based rescues
rescue, recovery, safety, first aid and activity-specific equipment and resources.
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 selecting rescue and recovery equipment according to the complex situation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of rescue and recovery techniques and potential white water hazards and risks
observation of performing rescues and recoveries of others using mechanical advantage systems and various rescue techniques
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing currents or weather conditions
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:
activity-specific units from activities performed on graded water such as rafting, canoeing and kayaking.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6339 SROWWR003B Perform a comprehensive range of white water rescues and recoveries Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBE94 SISORSC006 Lead and participate in complex white water rescues Unit of competency