SISOKYK004 — Paddle a kayak on grade 3 rivers

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What an assessment for SISOKYK004 must cover

168 assessable components: 6 elements (38 performance criteria), 30 performance evidence and 95 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 kayaks on grade 3 rivers.

2.1Select suitable location, embark and launch kayak using technique suitable to situation to maintain stability.
2.2Identify hydrological features from the water and utilise favourably to control and manoeuvre kayak.
2.3Control direction of kayak 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 kayak.
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 kayak 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 kayaks 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.

4.1Execute a roll using techniques appropriate for situation to avoid a wet exit and re-establish paddling position promptly.
4.2Exit the kayak in a controlled manner when unable to roll following a capsize, and recover paddle.
4.3Maintain appropriate body position in water to minimise entrapment and injury.
4.4Manoeuvre the paddle and upturned kayak to shore or to rescue craft.
4.5Drain water from craft in safe shallow river position or on shore and re-enter craft on shore or in an eddy.
4.6Use techniques when in deep water to empty water and re-enter kayak.

5 Perform deep water rescues in grade 3 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 kayaks.

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

Performance evidence

complete three group kayak trips
complete at least one solo paddle for one of the above trips
during each trip:
consistently follow safety procedures and safely negotiate hazards
use different locations to launch and land kayaks to include:
the bank in moving water
ledges
eddies
run routes through at least four rapids
consistently control direction of kayaks forward, in reverse and sideways using leaning, edging and this range of strokes:
forward and reverse paddle
forward and reverse sweeps
bow draw strokes - feathered and sculling
stern rudder
support using back and front of blade
emergency stop
utilise the following techniques while consistently controlling the kayak:
combining strokes to effectively manoeuvre the kayak
breaking in and out of eddies and currents
forward and reverse ferry gliding
using hydrological features to assist with paddling, controlling the kayak and negotiating rapids
execute four controlled rolls as follows:
use at least one technique and roll in both directions
participate in simulations to:
complete two self-rescues following a capsize, swimming self and craft a maximum distance of 50 metres to shore
complete three deep water rescues to assist a single capsized paddler, using these techniques:
T (or X) rescue
wedge 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 kayaking activities
suitable clothing and footwear for kayaking 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 kayaking 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 3 river conditions and how to fit and adjust these for comfort and safety
types of single and double kayaks suitable for use in grade 3 river conditions and:
location and function of different parts of the kayak
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 kayaks used in grade 3 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 kayaks
equipment features and techniques used to secure canoes to the bank and for transportation
communication protocols for group kayaking 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 3 rivers
examples of local rivers attributed as grade 3
typical hydrology features and hazards for grade 3 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 kayaks in grade 3 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 3 river conditions to direct kayaks forward, in reverse and sideways:
forward and reverse paddle
forward and reverse sweeps
bow draw strokes - feathered and sculling
stern rudder
support using back and front of blade
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
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 kayaks in grade 3 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 kayak and negotiating rapids
for self rescues:
roll techniques suitable for use with sit in kayaks in grade 3 rivers
methods used to extricate self from inverted kayaks
methods used to control and manoeuvre the paddle and kayak to shore
appropriate swimming strokes and techniques to use while in paddling gear in grade 3 river conditions
how to empty water from kayaks, and equipment used to assist
techniques used to re-establish upright kayak and re-enter in deep water
for deep water rescues, the specific application of the following to grade 3 river conditions and kayaks:
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
wedge rescue 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 SISOKYK004

What does an assessment tool for SISOKYK004 need to cover?

To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for SISOKYK004 needs to address all 168 unit components: 6 elements with 38 performance criteria, 30 performance evidence requirements, 95 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 SISOKYK004?

Auditori pulls the current release of SISOKYK004 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.

Is the first assessment tool really free?

Yes. Every new account includes one free credit — enough to generate the complete assessment tool for SISOKYK004 — with no card and no subscription required. After that it's pay-as-you-go per unit.

Can I check my existing SISOKYK004 assessment instead of generating a new one?

Yes — upload your existing assessment or learner guide and Auditori maps it against every element, performance criterion, PE and KE of SISOKYK004, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.

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