SISOCNE004 — Paddle a canoe on grade 2 rivers

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What an assessment for SISOCNE004 must cover

76 assessable components: 6 elements (37 performance criteria), 11 performance evidence and 23 knowledge evidence requirements, plus 5 foundation skills. An audit-defensible tool maps every question and task back to these — that mapping is the coverage matrix Auditori generates alongside the assessment.

Elements & performance criteria

1 Prepare for the paddle.

1.1Select clothing, footwear, personal protective and other equipment suitable for the paddle and conditions, and check for safe working condition.
1.2Carry, prepare craft and complete safety and serviceability checks.
1.3Waterproof, pack and stow clothing, personal resources, and food according to access requirements during paddle.
1.4Interpret planned course from activity plans and maps to assist in following the course.
1.5Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.
1.6Confirm protocols for communications between paddlers.
1.7Fit and adjust personal protective equipment to ensure comfort and safety.

2 Paddle and manoeuvre canoes on grade 2 rivers.

2.1Select suitable location, embark and launch canoe using technique suitable to situation to maintain stability.
2.2Identify hydrological features from the water and utilise favourably to control and manoeuvre canoe.
2.3Control direction of canoe forward, in reverse and sideways using a range of appropriate strokes, leans, edges and combinations.
2.4Maintain appropriate posture, use of trunk rotation, paddle and blade to efficiently paddle the canoe.
2.5Utilise appropriate padding strokes and techniques to cross currents and break into and out of eddies.
2.6Avoid or negotiate obstacles and hazards using a combination of strokes and paddling techniques.
2.7Support canoe using the paddle to prevent capsizes.
2.8Maintain visual contact and effective communication with party members throughout all activities.
2.9Monitor party formation, paddling pace and space between canoes and make required adjustments.

3 Plan and run routes through rapids.

3.1Scout rapids from the water and shore to identify hydrological features, hazards and impediments.
3.2Assess features and hazards to determine a safe route through rapids.
3.3Plan route through rapids accounting for party member numbers, abilities and management during run.
3.4Identify reference points to guide chosen passage through rapids.
3.5Run predetermined route using avoidance techniques to safely negotiate river hazards.
3.6Use efficient paddling techniques and strokes and utilise hydrological features to assist in turning and crossing currents.

4 Rescue self following a capsize.

4.1Exit the canoe in a controlled manner, following a capsize, and recover paddle.
4.2Maintain appropriate body position in water to minimise entrapment and injury.
4.3Manoeuvre the paddle and upturned canoe to shore or to rescue craft.
4.4Drain water from craft in safe shallow river position or on shore and re-enter craft on shore or in an eddy.
4.5Use techniques when in deep water to empty water and re-enter canoe.

5 Perform deep water rescues in grade 2 rivers

5.1Identify immediate hazards, assess risks and negotiate to avoid injury to self and others.
5.2Select and use other leaders or party members, equipment and rescue techniques appropriate to situation.
5.3Manoeuvre rescue craft to capsized party member, forming a raft-up as required.
5.4Provide clear and concise instructions to person being rescued and others assisting.
5.5Assist rescuee to return to their craft using rescue technique appropriate to situation.
5.6Assess ability of rescuee to continue and tow to nearest safe landing, as required.

6 Land and secure canoes.

6.1Select a suitable location to exit the river, and to allow for any subsequent re-entries.
6.2Land and disembark canoe using techniques suitable for river conditions to maintain stability.
6.3Select a secure bank feature and secure canoe using appropriate knots.
6.4Secure canoe for road transport, on activity conclusion, using suitable methods.

Performance evidence

complete three group canoe trips
complete at least one solo paddle for one of the above trips
during each trip: consistently follow safety procedures and safely negotiate hazards
during each trip: use different locations to launch and land canoes to include: the bank in moving water, ledges, eddies
during each trip: run routes through at least four rapids
during each trip: consistently control direction of canoes forward, in reverse and sideways using leaning, edging and this range of strokes: forward and reverse paddle, forward and reverse sweeps, bow and cross bow draw, feathered pry, feathered and sculling draw, low support using back and front of blade, forward and reverse J stroke, emergency stop
during each trip: utilise the following techniques while consistently controlling the canoe: combining strokes to effectively manoeuvre the canoe, breaking in and out of eddies and currents, forward and reverse ferry gliding, using hydrological features to assist with paddling, controlling the canoe and negotiating rapids
participate in simulations to: complete two self-rescues following a capsize, swimming self and craft a maximum distance of 50 metres to shore
participate in simulations to: complete three deep water rescues to assist a single capsized paddler, using these techniques: T (or X) rescue, curl rescue
provide one contact tow
provide one tow using a towline with a quick release system

Knowledge evidence

organisational safety and emergency response procedures for canoeing activities
suitable clothing and footwear for canoeing activities: types of clothing and fabrics that protect against the effects of weather and water conditions including sun, temperatures, winds, and precipitation of different levels and extremes
reasons for layering clothes
effective design and construction features of waterproof gear and exposure suits
types of footwear suitable for canoeing including specialist sandals, river or paddling shoes and their advantages over other types of footwear
features and uses of gloves and mittens, and advantages and disadvantages
features and functions of lifejackets and helmets suitable for grade 2 river conditions and how to fit and adjust these for comfort and safety
types of single and double open canoes suitable for use in grade 2 river conditions and: location and function of different parts of the canoe, different construction materials, effects on performance, advantages and disadvantages, design features, handling characteristics and limitations: manoeuvrability, stability and speed
types of paddles suitable for use with canoes used in grade 2 river conditions, different construction materials and designs, effects on performance, advantages and disadvantages
techniques used to effectively stow items: for ease of access and maximum usage of space, for stability of craft and minimal effect on trim, to waterproof clothing, food and resources
safe manual handling techniques used to lift and carry canoes
equipment features and techniques used to secure canoes to the bank and for transportation
communication protocols for group canoeing activities to include: calls, hand and paddle signals, whistles
the International River Grading system: strengths and limitations of the grading system; what is covered and not covered in classifications, specifications for grade 2 rivers, examples of local rivers attributed as grade 2
typical hydrology features and hazards for grade 2 rivers, how to recognise features from the shore and water, and techniques used to safely negotiate hazards: currents, eddies, waves, strainers, holes, stoppers, sieves, rocks, including undercut rocks, waterfalls, downstream and upstream Vs, boils, pour overs, built objects – weirs, piers, steep or slippery banks or shore, overhanging trees, fallen trees on waterway, submerged logs, rocks and vegetation, sections of dark, deep or cold water, other boating traffic, exposure to lightning, storms and strong winds, prolonged emersion in cold water
different locations that can be used to embark, launch, land and disembark canoes in grade 2 waters including: the bank in moving water, ledges, eddies
for each of the above locations: factors that affect selection, advantages and disadvantages of use, techniques used to embark, launch and land
a range of strokes used in grade 2 river conditions to direct canoes forward, in reverse and sideways: forward and reverse paddle, forward and reverse sweeps, bow and cross bow draw, feathered pry, feathered and sculling draw, low support using back and front of blade, forward and reverse J stroke, emergency stop
for each of the above strokes: how to use them when solo paddling and when padding as a double, correct posture and trunk rotation, correct hand placement on paddle and movement of top hand through the stroke, wrist movement required to enable correct blade placement in water, correct paddle entry and exit points in relation to craft and body position, appropriate paddle depth in water to achieve effective stroke, correct paddle blade angle throughout stroke
a range of techniques used to manoeuvre canoes in grade 2 water: combining strokes and which combinations are effective, breaking in and out of eddies and currents, forward and reverse ferry gliding, how certain types of hydrological features can be used to assist with paddling, controlling the canoe and negotiating rapids
for self-rescues: methods used to extricate self from inverted canoes, methods used to control and manoeuvre the paddle and canoe to shore, appropriate swimming strokes and techniques to use while in paddling gear in grade 2 river conditions, how to empty water from canoes, and equipment used to assist, techniques used to re-establish upright canoe and re-enter in deep water
for deep water rescues, the specific application of the following to grade 2 river conditions and open canoes: features, functions and operation of equipment used for rescues, advantages and disadvantages, roles and responsibilities that can be allocated to team members and participants to effectively complete a rescue, raft up techniques, T (or X) rescue techniques, curl techniques, techniques for contact tows and those using a towline with a quick release system
when different knots are used, advantages and disadvantages, and how to tie them: knots for tying on, rope joining knots, quick release knots

Foundation skills

Reading skills: interpret detailed and familiar organisational safety and emergency response procedures; interpret straightforward but potentially unfamiliar information on maps; interpret factual activity plan information in familiar formats.
Oral communications skills: use clear and unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communications to make intent known.
Numeracy skills: interpret and calculate numerical data involving river gradients, distances, times and speed of currents.
Teamwork skills: pro-actively and cooperatively work within teams of operational personnel to solve arising problems and effect efficient rescues.
Planning and organising skills: manage own timing to complete activities within planned timeframes.

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

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Questions about assessing SISOCNE004

What does an assessment tool for SISOCNE004 need to cover?

To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for SISOCNE004 needs to address all 76 unit components: 6 elements with 37 performance criteria, 11 performance evidence requirements, 23 knowledge evidence requirements, and the foundation skills. A coverage matrix mapping each question and task to these components is what an auditor looks for.

How does Auditori generate an assessment tool for SISOCNE004?

Auditori pulls the current release of SISOCNE004 from training.gov.au and generates a complete package: candidate assessment, assessor guide with model answers and observation criteria, and a coverage matrix mapping every component. A suitably qualified person then reviews and approves the draft in a built-in workflow — consistent with ASQA's guidance on AI use in VET — before export as branded PDF and editable Word.

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Yes — upload your existing assessment or learner guide and Auditori maps it against every element, performance criterion, PE and KE of SISOCNE004, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.

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