Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:45 AM AWST
22/07/2026 11:45 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 a raft on moving water
Guide a raft on moving water
Unit of competency
National Code
SISORAF301A
SISORAF301A
State Code
D6442
D6442
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
14/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to control a raft as a leader, with a crew on moving water, up to and including Grade 2 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 participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
- 1.4. Choose a route or course that minimises damage to the environment.
- 1.5. Access relevant sources to interpret weather and environmental information and determine activity plan.
- 1.6. Identify hazards and obstacles associated with rafting trip and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
2. Select equipment.
- 2.1. Select equipment and confirm serviceability according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.
- 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 paddlers.
4. Control raft in moving water.
- 4.1. Conduct a crew drill, informing participants of guide commands and strokes that will be used and observe participants 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 moving water.
- 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 procedures.
- 6.1. Maintain appropriate body position in the water to minimise injury or entrapment and apply defensive and aggressive swimming techniques if necessary.
- 6.2. Maintain a position upstream of the raft and recover paddles, where possible.
- 6.3. Manage capsize response of crew and equipment.
7. Complete post trip responsibilities
- 7.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures
- 7.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of rafting 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
food safety and storage.
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
emergency procedures
code of ethics.
Trip plan must include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
safety and emergency requirements
river level and sectors
contingencies
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
weather warnings
event warnings
river level
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Hazards may include:
holes or stoppers
strainers
rocks
waterfalls
manmade objects
weirs
sieves
cold water
undercuts.
Obstacles may include:
rocks
piers
submerged items
other crafts
change in river conditions
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Equipment may include:
rafting equipment
navigation equipment
safety and rescue equipment
communication equipment.
Safety and rescue equipment may include:
pumps
bailers
repair kits
first aid
rescue rope
karabiners
Prusik loops
pulleys
tape slings
throw bags
knife
flip line
whistle.
Safety procedures may include
T grip
throw bag information
hold on instructions
getting back into raft
selecting safe line through rapids
seating positions to maximise raft stability
managing safe portages and river running
conducting raft repairs
aggressive and defensive swimming techniques
responsible and safe behaviour
signals and communication systems
raft capsize procedures
location of safety and rescue equipment
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:
forwards
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 water
using arms and legs to fend off obstacles
aggressive swimming:
swimming freestyle to stomach
stroking hard to move across the current.
Capsize response may include
head count
flip raft
re-entry of raft
take raft to shore
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
food safety and storage.
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
emergency procedures
code of ethics.
Trip plan must include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
safety and emergency requirements
river level and sectors
contingencies
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
weather warnings
event warnings
river level
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Hazards may include:
holes or stoppers
strainers
rocks
waterfalls
manmade objects
weirs
sieves
cold water
undercuts.
Obstacles may include:
rocks
piers
submerged items
other crafts
change in river conditions
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Equipment may include:
rafting equipment
navigation equipment
safety and rescue equipment
communication equipment.
Safety and rescue equipment may include:
pumps
bailers
repair kits
first aid
rescue rope
karabiners
Prusik loops
pulleys
tape slings
throw bags
knife
flip line
whistle.
Safety procedures may include
T grip
throw bag information
hold on instructions
getting back into raft
selecting safe line through rapids
seating positions to maximise raft stability
managing safe portages and river running
conducting raft repairs
aggressive and defensive swimming techniques
responsible and safe behaviour
signals and communication systems
raft capsize procedures
location of safety and rescue equipment
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:
forwards
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 water
using arms and legs to fend off obstacles
aggressive swimming:
swimming freestyle to stomach
stroking hard to move across the current.
Capsize response may include
head count
flip raft
re-entry of raft
take raft to shore
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 to manoeuvre and control a raft according to conditions on multiple occasions
monitors and maintains the safety of clients and rafting equipment
negotiates rapids and hazards using efficient strokes on fast currents and applies capsizing techniques and rescue procedures on multiple occasions
implements contingency plans and procedures as required
seeks advice and feedback from leader to improve skills and techniques and evaluates and reflects on own rafting performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation as a guide in rafting activities on moving water up to grade 2 rapids that of sufficient depth and breadth of duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information to plan and select equipment for the rafting activity
suitable inland rivers with moving water, up to and including Grade 2 rapids
suitable crew
rafting, navigation, safety, rescue and communication equipment
a safe method of transport, if required to drive raft to and from activity location.
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 rapids
observation of safe participation and demonstration of rafting skills, such as communicating with crew members and controlling the raft with paddles to move in and out of eddies
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:
SISOWWR201A Demonstrate self rescue skills in white water.
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 to manoeuvre and control a raft according to conditions on multiple occasions
monitors and maintains the safety of clients and rafting equipment
negotiates rapids and hazards using efficient strokes on fast currents and applies capsizing techniques and rescue procedures on multiple occasions
implements contingency plans and procedures as required
seeks advice and feedback from leader to improve skills and techniques and evaluates and reflects on own rafting performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation as a guide in rafting activities on moving water up to grade 2 rapids that of sufficient depth and breadth of duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information to plan and select equipment for the rafting activity
suitable inland rivers with moving water, up to and including Grade 2 rapids
suitable crew
rafting, navigation, safety, rescue and communication equipment
a safe method of transport, if required to drive raft to and from activity location.
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 rapids
observation of safe participation and demonstration of rafting skills, such as communicating with crew members and controlling the raft with paddles to move in and out of eddies
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:
SISOWWR201A Demonstrate self rescue skills in white water.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C6253 | SRORAF001B | Apply rafting skills on moving water | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBF03 | SISORAF001 | Guide a raft on grade 2 rivers | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J761 | SIS30413 | Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |