Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:23 PM AWST

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Demonstrate horizontal canyoning skills

Demonstrate horizontal canyoning skills

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCAY201A
State Code
D6281
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
13/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
13/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to participate in canyoning activities under supervision. This unit focuses on the demonstration of horizontal canyoning skills, such as swimming and liloing in gentle to moderate canyon terrain.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for the activity.
  • 1.1. Identify food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the duration of the canyoning activity.
  • 1.2. Identify an appropriate activity site according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures relating to the activity.
  • 1.3. Identify potential hazards and changing conditions associated with the activity, and apply risk minimisation procedures to ensure personal safety.
  • 1.4. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information and determine appropriate activities.
2. Select equipment.
  • 2.1. Select equipment according to contextual issues and check to ensure that it is in good working condition.
  • 2.2. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure comfort and safety according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.3. Select personal clothing and footwear for activity and identify the required design and construction features.
  • 2.4. Waterproof food, clothing, equipment and resources.
3. Apply canyoning skills.
  • 3.1. Conduct pre-activity checks and survey the route through the canyon, as designated by the supervisor, to identify hazards, assess risk and select a safe route appropriate to skills.
  • 3.2. Follow the route, demonstrating navigation techniques that minimise damage to the environment.
  • 3.3. Approach obstacles and hazards in a safe manner, and minimise risks to self and group while negotiating a range of terrain types within a canyon according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 3.4. Apply horizontal canyoning skills to negotiate deep rock pools.
  • 3.5. Conduct common maintenance checks and repairs to canyoning equipment, where applicable during the activity.
4. Evaluate the canyoning activity.
  • 4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the canyoning activity.
  • 4.2. Identify improvements for future canyoning experiences.
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
essential nutrients
individual food requirements and allergies.
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
emergency procedures
communication protocols
use and maintenance of equipment
code of ethics.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management.
Changing conditions may include:
weather
equipment failure
injuries.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
local knowledge
police.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings.
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Equipment may include:
canyoning equipment
navigation equipment
safety and first aid equipment
communication equipment
repair equipment.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including time
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Obstacles may include:
rivers
logs
rocks
gullies
exposed areas.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Terrain may include:
slippery rocks
large boulders
rock pools
waterslides
small drops
logs
submerged trees and branches.
Horizontal canyoning skills may include:
use of lilos
wading
swimming techniques.
Common maintenance may include:
lilo puncture repair
lilo valve repair or replacement
equipment cleaning
pack and clothing repair.
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:
determines equipment and supply requirements according to the conditions and duration of the canyoning activity
conducts pre- activity checks of the canyon site to identify potential hazards, obstacles and risks, and applies risk minimisation techniques
demonstrates canyoning techniques within a variety of terrain obstacles, such as liloing, swimming and wading through rock pools
seeks advice and feedback from leader to improve skills and ensure safety of self and group
evaluates and reflects on own canyoning performance to identify strengths and weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple horizontal canyoning activities in moderate terrain types that reflect local conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information, such as meteorological data, to plan for the canyoning activity
a suitable outdoor environment with horizontal canyons that contain gentle to moderate terrain, may be wet or dry and should have natural obstacles that require swimming and or liloing
a qualified leader or supervisor
canyoning, navigation, safety and first aid, communication and repair 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 the appropriate selection and use of equipment, clothing and footwear
observation of safe participation and demonstration of horizontal canyoning skills, such as swimming or liloing
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:
SISONAV201A Navigate in tracked or easy untracked areas.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6086 SROCAY001A Demonstrate horizontal canyoning skills Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBF89 SISOCAY001 Traverse canyons Unit of competency