Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:58 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:58 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.
Guide horizontal caving trips
Guide horizontal caving trips
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCVE308A
SISOCVE308A
State Code
D6335
D6335
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
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
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants on horizontal caving trips. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to safely guide groups on horizontal caving trips.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan horizontal caving trip.
- 1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the condition of participants.
- 1.2. Develop a trip plan according to participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.3. Select an appropriate site and cave for the trip according to participant's abilities, trip objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Identify hazards associated with horizontal caving and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
- 1.5. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather information to determine trip plan.
- 1.6. Determine food and water requirements and contextual issues of the trip.
- 1.7. Obtain permits or permission for access where required, and inform appropriate authorities before commencing the caving trip.
2. Select equipment for the group.
- 2.1. Select caving equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check serviceability.
- 2.2. Assess equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.
- 2.3. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the cave.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the horizontal caving trip in a manner suitable to the participants.
- 3.2. Outline logistical details, minimal impact and safety procedures for the trip.
- 3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use throughout caving trip.
- 3.4. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip.
4. Lead horizontal caving trip.
- 4.1. Evaluate caving conditions and provide direction and advice to group during the trip.
- 4.2. Demonstrate horizontal caving techniques, where required, to safely and efficiently negotiate features of cave.
- 4.3. Implement modifications to trip in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
- 4.4. Respond to any emergency or non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.
5. Complete post-trip responsibilities.
- 5.1. Notify relevant authorities of trip completion.
- 5.2. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of caving trip.
- 5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future horizontal caving trips.
- 5.5. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.
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.
Condition of participants may include:
previous experience
physical capabilities
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
guide and participant ratios
safety, minimal impact and emergency requirements
location and route maps.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
cave access and permit requirements
working with children
equal opportunity
privacy
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
assessment procedures
time and budget constraints
confidentiality of participant information
Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines:
Cave Safety Guidelines
Code of Ethics and Conservation
Minimal Impact Caving Code
Cave Diving Code of Practice.
Trip objectives may include:
exploration
surveying
scientific study
interpretation
meeting people
team building
fitness targets
adventure and recreation.
Hazards may include:
environmental
hydrological hazards
set-up hazards
group management hazards
dangerous fauna and flora
elevated carbon dioxide levels.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
injuries and illnesses
exhaustion
dehydration
phobias
stings or bites
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
bureau of meteorology
media
national parks and wildlife centres
police.
Weather information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Contextual issues may include:
time of day
season and weather
cave features
participant characteristics
number of staff
length of cave
safety requirements.
Equipment may include:
caving equipment
safety, first aid and rescue equipment
navigation equipment
communication equipment.
Relevant information may include:
safety procedures
minimal impact procedures
logistical details
risk and hazard prevention and management
caving techniques
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
personal safety checks
safe areas and or boundaries
contingency and risk management plan.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
cave conditions.
Relevant aspects may include:
use of equipment
caving skills
activity organisation and conduct
communication and feedback
demonstration of caving techniques
safety practices.
Condition of participants may include:
previous experience
physical capabilities
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
guide and participant ratios
safety, minimal impact and emergency requirements
location and route maps.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
cave access and permit requirements
working with children
equal opportunity
privacy
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
assessment procedures
time and budget constraints
confidentiality of participant information
Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines:
Cave Safety Guidelines
Code of Ethics and Conservation
Minimal Impact Caving Code
Cave Diving Code of Practice.
Trip objectives may include:
exploration
surveying
scientific study
interpretation
meeting people
team building
fitness targets
adventure and recreation.
Hazards may include:
environmental
hydrological hazards
set-up hazards
group management hazards
dangerous fauna and flora
elevated carbon dioxide levels.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
injuries and illnesses
exhaustion
dehydration
phobias
stings or bites
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
bureau of meteorology
media
national parks and wildlife centres
police.
Weather information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Contextual issues may include:
time of day
season and weather
cave features
participant characteristics
number of staff
length of cave
safety requirements.
Equipment may include:
caving equipment
safety, first aid and rescue equipment
navigation equipment
communication equipment.
Relevant information may include:
safety procedures
minimal impact procedures
logistical details
risk and hazard prevention and management
caving techniques
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
personal safety checks
safe areas and or boundaries
contingency and risk management plan.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
cave conditions.
Relevant aspects may include:
use of equipment
caving skills
activity organisation and conduct
communication and feedback
demonstration of caving techniques
safety practices.
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:
plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner
applies contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during caving trips
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure safe guiding of groups in locations that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
suitable horizontal caving sites to guide participants
participants to take part in caving trips
caving, safety, first aid, rescue, navigation and communication equipment
resources and information regarding participants and cave site to plan, guide and document caving trip for a variety of participants.
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 planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge and application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all caving activities throughout trip
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of caving trip plans
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:
SISXCAI306A Facilitate a group.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner
applies contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during caving trips
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure safe guiding of groups in locations that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
suitable horizontal caving sites to guide participants
participants to take part in caving trips
caving, safety, first aid, rescue, navigation and communication equipment
resources and information regarding participants and cave site to plan, guide and document caving trip for a variety of participants.
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 planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge and application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all caving activities throughout trip
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of caving trip plans
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:
SISXCAI306A Facilitate a group.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBF54 | SISOCVE006 | Lead caving activities | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB536 | SISSS00028 | Caving Guide - Single Pitch | Skill set |
| J761 | SIS30413 | Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |