Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Participant's needs and characteristics may include:
age
cultural factors
previous experience
fitness level and physical capabilities
injuries and illnesses.
Readiness may include:
appropriate levels of fitness
motor performance factors
social
psychological
emotional.
Session's aims and objectives may include:
skills practice
progressive skill acquisition
self-improvement
fitness targets.
Plan may include:
session aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location
coach and participant ratios
equipment and resources
drills, activities and games
safety requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
authority or permission from local council or surf life saving clubs
privacy
working with children
environmental regulations
harassment-free sports policies.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
conflict resolution
communication protocols
use, care and maintenance of equipment
training and scheduling commitments
code of ethics.
Endorsed standards may include:
Surf Life Saving Australia Code of Conduct policy
culture of surf life saving
local council by-laws and regulations
Australian Sports Commission Harassment-free Sport policy.
Safety procedures may include:
group management in emergency situations
weather and surf conditions checked and monitored
equipment checking and usage
communication systems
life guard or life guards on duty.
Drills, activities and games may include:
those designed to teach the basic skills of surf life saving as described in Surf Life Saving Australia Coaching Course
those designed to enhance the biomechanical principles in the context of basic surf life saving
Location may include:
appropriate beach and surf conditions within designated areas
pool
club house.
Equipment may include:
surf boards
surf skis and paddles
flags
inflatable rescue boat (IRB)
reel and rescue equipment
marker buoys.
Resources may include:
life guard or life guards
teaching and coaching tools
stop watch
first aid kit.
Communicate may include:
use of teaching and coaching tools
demonstration
explanation.
Feedback may include:
information on participant progress
any improvements needed
verbal or written or visual.
Risks may include:
injuries
illness
collision
hazardous objects on the ground or in water
inappropriate behaviour or fighting.
Rules and regulations may include:
local, national and international rules of surf life saving
best practice codes of ethics:
Surf Life Saving Australia Code of Ethics
Surf Life Saving Australia Anti-doping policy
Australian Sports Commission Harassment-free Sport policy
age restrictions.
Communication system may include:
a style appropriate to thesurf life savingcommunity with coach interacting with participants, officials, broader community and media
appropriate use of verbal, non-verbal and written modes according to the Surf Life Saving Australia Coaches Code of Conduct policy and the culture of the surf life saving
correct use of terminology and language to suit age, ability or disability and size of group.
Teaching and coaching techniques may include:
demonstrating basic skills
progressing through, linking and analysing skills
whole and part approaches
shaping and modelling approaches
reciprocal or peer tutoring.
Required knowledge may include:
rules and regulations of surf life saving
basic surf life saving skills and their learning components
biomechanical principles in the context of basic surf life saving skills
factors affecting skill acquisition
safety and risk management
equipment selection, use and maintenance
communication systems used in surf life saving.
Basic skills of surf life saving may include:
skill level for participant at club level and junior athlete
beach sprints
surf board paddling
surf boat rowing
inflatable rescue boat (IRB)
reel and rescue
surf ski paddling
surf swimming.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication systems
participation and practice of basic skills
performance and accuracy of basic skills
attitude and behaviour.
Relevant aspects may include:
effectiveness of the teaching and coaching session
suitability of teaching and coaching methods
feedback provided to or by participants
initial and final assessment of participant's abilities
validity and reliability of assessment and evaluation tools.

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 and delivers precise relevant information, explanations and demonstrations for surf life saving session or sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs and characteristics
observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve and develop the basic skills of surf life saving
uses and modifies teaching and coaching techniques and drills, activities and games to cater for a range of individual learning styles
evaluates and reflects on own coaching performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of safe drills, activities and games that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a beach with appropriate surf conditions and designated areas, and a pool and club house for training
a group of participants at the beginner level to take part in session or sessions
equipment such as surf boards, surf skis and paddles, flags, inflatable rescue boat (IRB), reel and rescue equipment and marker buoys
resources such as teaching and coaching tools
information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, coach and document basic surf life saving sessions for a variety of participants
current relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, and rules and regulations of surf life saving.
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 processes, such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures, and rules and regulations of surf life saving to enable safe conduct of all drills, activities and games during session or sessions
observation of safe coaching of basic surf life saving skills and monitoring and adjusting instructional techniques according to participant's needs, characteristics and responses
portfolio of session plans and self-evaluations
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.