Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:52 PM AWST
22/07/2026 11:52 PM AWST
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Navigate in untrogged caves
Navigate in untrogged caves
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCVE413A
SISOCVE413A
State Code
D6340
D6340
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Transition (Deleted)
Transition (Deleted)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to navigate in complex caves, caves with infrequently travelled routes, and or unmapped routes.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a route in an untrogged cave.
- 1.1. Obtain information to assist in the preparation of a navigation data sheet from any available map or cave plan and from other suitable sources of information
- 1.2. Apply information and symbols contained on the map to plan an efficient route according to navigation and caving-specific abilities.
- 1.3. Prepare a navigation data sheet according to organisational policies and procedures, relevant legislation and contextual issues.
- 1.4. Identify emergency or contingency escape routes according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.5. Select routes that minimise environmental impact.
2. Navigate in an untrogged cave.
- 2.1. Maintain orientation of self to surroundings.
- 2.2. Use a map, where available and compass to follow a route in an untrogged cave.
- 2.3. Apply navigation techniques for estimating the distance travelled.
- 2.4. Maintain the designated route while bypassing obstacles.
- 2.5. Interpret features implied on the map and select an efficient route according to the surroundings and conditions.
- 2.6. Apply techniques to fix position and identify unknown features when lost.
3. Complete post activity tasks.
- 3.1. Produce a cave sketch map that can be used by others for navigation purposes.
- 3.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of the navigation activity.
- 3.3. Identify improvements for future navigation experiences in an untrogged cave.
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.
Map may include:
detailed cave maps
cave plans with only wall details and labels.
Information and symbols may include:
grid lines and numbers
magnetic variation
scale
map legend
topographic features
speleothems
survey markers
water depth.
Navigation data sheet may include:
grid and magnetic bearings
distances
estimated travelling times
pitch details and rigging
identifiable cave features
escape routes.
Suitable sources of information may include:
charts
local cavers
peers.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use, maintenance and storage of equipment
risk management
communication protocols
minimal impact environmental and caving codes
Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines
code of ethics.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Contextual issues may include:
fitness levels
time of year
availability of resources, such as rest stops, areas not subject to flooding
type of features of the location
access and escape routes
group size
land management and legislative requirements.
Environmental impact may include:
damaging sensitive areas by trampling, touching or breakage
leaving behind foreign and human waste material
disturbing cave biota, stream sediments, palaeokarst, drip holes, soil cones and crusts, bone material, fossils and tree roots.
Surroundings may include:
bodies of water and or water courses
survey or track markers
natural formations
man-made features.
Navigation techniques may include:
orientating map using a compass
collecting features
searching for cave features
locating cave breezes into or out of cave.
Estimating the distance travelled may include:
pacing
time
relation to features.
Obstacles may include:
shafts
fissures
rock piles
traverses
tight squeezes
water hazards.
Relevant aspects may include:
planning processes
selecting routes with minimal environmental impact
using map and compass to follow routes
estimating distance travelled
producing sketch maps for others to use.
Map may include:
detailed cave maps
cave plans with only wall details and labels.
Information and symbols may include:
grid lines and numbers
magnetic variation
scale
map legend
topographic features
speleothems
survey markers
water depth.
Navigation data sheet may include:
grid and magnetic bearings
distances
estimated travelling times
pitch details and rigging
identifiable cave features
escape routes.
Suitable sources of information may include:
charts
local cavers
peers.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use, maintenance and storage of equipment
risk management
communication protocols
minimal impact environmental and caving codes
Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines
code of ethics.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Contextual issues may include:
fitness levels
time of year
availability of resources, such as rest stops, areas not subject to flooding
type of features of the location
access and escape routes
group size
land management and legislative requirements.
Environmental impact may include:
damaging sensitive areas by trampling, touching or breakage
leaving behind foreign and human waste material
disturbing cave biota, stream sediments, palaeokarst, drip holes, soil cones and crusts, bone material, fossils and tree roots.
Surroundings may include:
bodies of water and or water courses
survey or track markers
natural formations
man-made features.
Navigation techniques may include:
orientating map using a compass
collecting features
searching for cave features
locating cave breezes into or out of cave.
Estimating the distance travelled may include:
pacing
time
relation to features.
Obstacles may include:
shafts
fissures
rock piles
traverses
tight squeezes
water hazards.
Relevant aspects may include:
planning processes
selecting routes with minimal environmental impact
using map and compass to follow routes
estimating distance travelled
producing sketch maps for others to use.
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:
selects appropriate map, where available and uses it to plan a route with minimal impact on the environment
applies information from additional sources and map to prepare a navigation data sheet that includes details required for navigation
applies navigation techniques for estimating distance travelled and maintains route while bypassing various obstacles and cave features
produces a cave sketch map that can be used by others for navigation.
evaluates and reflects on own navigation performance within an untrogged cave to identify strengths, weaknesses and improvements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure navigation in untrogged caves and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
untrogged caves with infrequently travelled routes, and or unmapped routes suitable for navigation
navigation, caving and safety 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:
observation of applying information from map to plan safe route with minimal environmental impact
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation to enable safe conduct of all navigation activities
observation of following a route using a map, compass and navigation data sheet in untrogged caves
observation of identifying emergency or contingency escape routes and bypassing obstacles
copy of sketch map produced for others for navigation in untrogged cave.
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:
SISOCVE414A Guide vertical multi pitch caving trips.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
selects appropriate map, where available and uses it to plan a route with minimal impact on the environment
applies information from additional sources and map to prepare a navigation data sheet that includes details required for navigation
applies navigation techniques for estimating distance travelled and maintains route while bypassing various obstacles and cave features
produces a cave sketch map that can be used by others for navigation.
evaluates and reflects on own navigation performance within an untrogged cave to identify strengths, weaknesses and improvements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure navigation in untrogged caves and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
untrogged caves with infrequently travelled routes, and or unmapped routes suitable for navigation
navigation, caving and safety 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:
observation of applying information from map to plan safe route with minimal environmental impact
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation to enable safe conduct of all navigation activities
observation of following a route using a map, compass and navigation data sheet in untrogged caves
observation of identifying emergency or contingency escape routes and bypassing obstacles
copy of sketch map produced for others for navigation in untrogged cave.
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:
SISOCVE414A Guide vertical multi pitch caving trips.
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| D445 | SIS50310 | Diploma of Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |