Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 6:02 PM AWST
23/07/2026 6:02 PM AWST
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Instruct white water rescue
Instruct white water rescue
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOWWR404A
SISOWWR404A
State Code
D6522
D6522
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Transition (Deleted)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
092103 - Sports Coaching, Officiating And Instruction
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to instruct white water rescue activities. This unit focuses on planning, instructing and evaluating instructional white water rescue sessions to enable participants to achieve the skills and knowledge required to participate independently in white water rescue activities up to grade 4 water.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan white water rescue session.
- 1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics to determine the session'saims and objectives.
- 1.2. Determine an appropriate instructional plan according to participant's needs and characteristics.
- 1.3. Develop an activity plan according to participant's needs and characteristics, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Select a suitable site for the session according to participant's needs, session's aims, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.5. Identify potential hazards associated with performing white water rescues and minimise risks according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.6. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information and determine contingency plans.
2. Select and organise equipment and resources.
- 2.1. Select and access equipment and resources according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check serviceability.
- 2.2. Check equipment for safety and suitability according to relevant legislation and manufacturer's recommendations, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.
- 2.3. Check contents of first aid and repair kits to ensure suitability to the location and activity.
- 2.4. Arrange, where required, protective and or safety clothing for each participant.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the session in a manner appropriate to the participants.
- 3.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.
- 3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while participating in white water rescue activities.
- 3.4. Inform participants of known and anticipated hazards, safety procedures and appropriate behaviour.
- 3.5. Check and confirm that all participant equipment is fitted and adjusted and clothing and footwear is suitable.
4. Instruct a white water rescue session.
- 4.1. Conduct introductory activities for participants to reduce the risk of injury.
- 4.2. Apply instructional techniques to impart required white water rescue knowledge, white water rescue skills, and safety procedures.
- 4.3. Monitor individual participant performance during white water rescue session.
- 4.4. Monitor and assess instructional activities and associated risks, and modify where required according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.5. Apply procedures for dealing with emergency and non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.6. Inform participants of opportunities to further develop their white water rescue skills and knowledge.
5. Complete post session responsibilities.
- 5.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 5.2. Provide opportunities for participants to identify their personal progress and satisfaction with the session, and give feedback as required.
- 5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of the white water rescue session and determine the level of learning achieved.
- 5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future white water rescue instructional sessions.
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.
Characteristics may include:
age
cultural and situational factors
previous experience and knowledge
physical development
injuries and illnesses.
Session's aims and objectives may include:
developing white water rescue skills and techniques
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
Instructional plan may include:
white water rescue activities
duration of activities.
Activity plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
site or location, equipment and resources
instructor and participant ratios
safety requirements.
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 procedures
time and budget constraints
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
code of ethics
minimal impact codes.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
stoppers or holes
waterfalls
strainers
waves
rocks
sieves
group-management hazards
other river uses.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
hyperthermia
injuries
drowning
entrapment
equipment failure.
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 levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Contingency plans may include:
change in weather and or river conditions
equipment failure.
Equipment may include:
rescue equipment
safety and first aid equipment
activity-specific equipment.
Resources may include:
teaching aids
instructional tools
transport.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including tide times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Relevant information may include:
risk and hazard prevention and management
minimal environmental impact practices
techniques
logistical details
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
boundaries clearly identified
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common risks
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Instructional techniques may include:
simple to complex
part to whole
chronological
known to unknown
D.E.D.I.C.T:
demonstrate
explain
demonstrate
instruct
critique
test
E.D.I.C.T:
explain
demonstrate
instruct
critique
test
I.D.E.A:
introduce
demonstrate
explain
apply
orientate, enhance, synthesise
Required white water rescue knowledge may include:
simple to complex white water rescue techniques
incident command system
river features and conditions
risk and hazard management.
White water rescue skills may include:
river reading
throwing
swimming defensive and aggressive
towing
craft handling
self rescue
shallow water crossing
mechanical advantage methods
entrapment extraction
craft tethers
high line tyrolean (telfer lower).
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.
Characteristics may include:
age
cultural and situational factors
previous experience and knowledge
physical development
injuries and illnesses.
Session's aims and objectives may include:
developing white water rescue skills and techniques
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
Instructional plan may include:
white water rescue activities
duration of activities.
Activity plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
site or location, equipment and resources
instructor and participant ratios
safety requirements.
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 procedures
time and budget constraints
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
code of ethics
minimal impact codes.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
stoppers or holes
waterfalls
strainers
waves
rocks
sieves
group-management hazards
other river uses.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
hyperthermia
injuries
drowning
entrapment
equipment failure.
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 levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Contingency plans may include:
change in weather and or river conditions
equipment failure.
Equipment may include:
rescue equipment
safety and first aid equipment
activity-specific equipment.
Resources may include:
teaching aids
instructional tools
transport.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including tide times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Relevant information may include:
risk and hazard prevention and management
minimal environmental impact practices
techniques
logistical details
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
boundaries clearly identified
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common risks
use of safety and rescue equipment.
Instructional techniques may include:
simple to complex
part to whole
chronological
known to unknown
D.E.D.I.C.T:
demonstrate
explain
demonstrate
instruct
critique
test
E.D.I.C.T:
explain
demonstrate
instruct
critique
test
I.D.E.A:
introduce
demonstrate
explain
apply
orientate, enhance, synthesise
Required white water rescue knowledge may include:
simple to complex white water rescue techniques
incident command system
river features and conditions
risk and hazard management.
White water rescue skills may include:
river reading
throwing
swimming defensive and aggressive
towing
craft handling
self rescue
shallow water crossing
mechanical advantage methods
entrapment extraction
craft tethers
high line tyrolean (telfer lower).
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:
plan, instructs and monitors participant performance and response appropriately to participant behaviour to maintain an effective learning environment
activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs, characteristics and teaching location
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the session, such as equipment failure and makes adjustments in response to changing situations
instructs sequential sessions that meet participant expectations, comply with legislative and organisation requirement, and are of sufficient duration to allow the participant to demonstrate white water rescue skills
evaluates participant and own performance and identifies improvements for future sessions
uses appropriate delivery technique to enhance client learning and performance
demonstrate correct rescue and recovery methods and techniques when transferring skills to participants.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure instruction of white water rescue activities at suitable locations appropriate to the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a white water location for the conduct of white water rescue instructional sessions
a group of participants to take part in rescue sessions
rescue, safety, first aid and activity-specific equipment and teaching resources
resources and information regarding participants and location to plan sessions 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 processes, such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics
oral or written questioning to assess application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all white water rescue activities
observation of safe white water rescue instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics
portfolio of white water rescue session 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.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
plan, instructs and monitors participant performance and response appropriately to participant behaviour to maintain an effective learning environment
activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs, characteristics and teaching location
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the session, such as equipment failure and makes adjustments in response to changing situations
instructs sequential sessions that meet participant expectations, comply with legislative and organisation requirement, and are of sufficient duration to allow the participant to demonstrate white water rescue skills
evaluates participant and own performance and identifies improvements for future sessions
uses appropriate delivery technique to enhance client learning and performance
demonstrate correct rescue and recovery methods and techniques when transferring skills to participants.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure instruction of white water rescue activities at suitable locations appropriate to the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a white water location for the conduct of white water rescue instructional sessions
a group of participants to take part in rescue sessions
rescue, safety, first aid and activity-specific equipment and teaching resources
resources and information regarding participants and location to plan sessions 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 processes, such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics
oral or written questioning to assess application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all white water rescue activities
observation of safe white water rescue instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics
portfolio of white water rescue session 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.
No information
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