Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:23 PM AWST

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Apply intermediate bushwalking skills

Apply intermediate bushwalking skills

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOBWG302A
State Code
D6272
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/02/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
14/02/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to bushwalk in uncontrolled environments under minimal supervision. This unit focuses on the demonstration of various bushwalking skills through the participation in bushland, arid, alpine, or rainforest walks.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for a bushwalk.
  • 1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the duration of the walk to maintain physiological well being during activity.
  • 1.2. Identify an appropriate activity location according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.3. Obtain and become familiar with appropriate map for the intended walk.
  • 1.4. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activities.
  • 1.5. Identify possible hazards and changing conditions associated with the activity.
2. Select equipment.
  • 2.1. Select equipment according to contextual issues and check to ensure that it is in good working condition.
  • 2.2. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure comfort and safety according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.3. Ensure pack weight is appropriate to body weight and level of fitness.
  • 2.4. Select personal clothing and footwear, and identify the design and or construction features that make it appropriate.
3. Apply walking skills.
  • 3.1. Adopt appropriate posture when lifting and carrying backpack.
  • 3.2. Approach obstacles and hazards in a safe manner and minimise risks to self and group where possible.
  • 3.3. Apply ascending and descending techniques on slopes.
  • 3.4. Maintain an appropriate walking rhythm and pace according to conditions.
  • 3.5. Follow a route in difficult or trackless areas, demonstrating use of navigation aids.
4. Evaluate the bushwalk.
  • 4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the walk.
  • 4.2. Identify improvements for future walks.
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
emergency food and water.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
essential nutrients
individual food requirements and allergies.
Duration of the walk may include:
short walks of up to two hours
day walks
multiple day walks.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
Organisational procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
emergency procedures
equipment use and maintenance
communication protocols
code of ethics.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
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.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Changing conditions may include:
weather
equipment failure
injuries
group dynamics.
Equipment may include:
bushwalking equipment
navigation equipment
safety and first aid equipment
overnight equipment.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Obstacles may include:
rivers
logs
rocks
gullies
exposed areas.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Ascending techniques may include:
zig-zagging
placing feet down flat with a deliberate step
resting heels on any available projections.
Descending techniques may include:
placing toes against projections to avoid overstriding
avoiding placing feet down heavily
using flat-footed or stiff-heeled technique.
Walking rhythm may include:
maintaining same speed of pace
keeping hands free
allowing natural body swing
avoiding jerky movements or springing.
Difficult or tracklessareas may include:
bushland
arid areas
alpine areas
rainforest
those that align to Class 5 tracks within the Australian Standard for Walking Tracks.
Navigation aids may include:
maps
compass.
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:
applies relevant processes to plan equipment and supply requirements according to the conditions and duration of the bushwalk
demonstrates bushwalking techniques including ascending and descending techniques on slopes
adapts to problems or issues that may arise during the walk, such as change in weather conditions, and makes appropriate adjustments in response to these contingencies to ensure safety of self and group
evaluates and reflects on own bushwalking performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple bushwalking activities in difficult or trackless areas that reflect local conditions demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information, such as maps and meteorological data, to plan for the bushwalk
a suitable outdoor location with tracks that have limited modifications and indistinct alignment, minimal clearance and signage, and may have terrain and man-made hazards
bushwalking, navigation 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:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all bushwalking activities
observation of safe participation and demonstration of bushwalking skills
observation of dealing with contingencies, such as changing weather conditions
written or verbal self evaluation
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:
SISOOPS202A Use and maintain a temporary or overnight site.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6078 SROBWG002A Demonstrate bushwalking skills in difficult or trackless areas Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBF93 SISOBWG002 Bushwalk in difficult tracked environments Unit of competency