18127 version 2
28-Jun-16
1 of 3
AVALANCHE
Record and communicate avalanche
and weather observations
level:
3
credit:
4
planned review date:
June 2009
sub-field:
Snowsport
replacement information:
This unit standard and unit standard 18128 replaced unit
standard 4560.
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to record and
communicate avalanche and weather observations.
This unit standard may be of interest to patrollers, heli-ski
guides, mountain guides, roading crews, snow safety
professionals and others working in the mountain
environment.
entry information:
Prerequisites: Unit 18135, Assist on an avalanche response,
and Unit 18136, Demonstrate own party avalanche rescue,
or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed national moderation
system has been set up by Sport, Fitness and Recreation
Industry Training Organisation.
special notes:
1
It is recommended that people undertaking assessment
against this unit standard have already attained or are
working towards Unit 20161, Analyse weather
information and predict weather conditions for the
outdoors.
2
Industry guidelines for recording snow and weather
information are contained in the New Zealand
Guidelines and Recording Standards for Weather,
Snowpack and Avalanche Observations, (Wellington:
New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, 2003).
3
There are minimum assessor requirements for
assessment against this unit standard. The details of
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
18127 version 2
28-Jun-16
2 of 3
AVALANCHE
Record and communicate avalanche
and weather observations
these requirements are available on the Sfrito website
http://www.sfrito.org.nz/.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Record and communicate avalanche and weather observations.
Range:
all data recorded according to industry guidelines and operational requirements.
performance criteria
1.1
The purpose of recording weather and snow observations is described in basic
terms.
Range:
1.2
Snow and weather data are collected from standard study plot(s) and/or
weather station(s), and the information documented at regular intervals.
Range:
1.3
may include but is not limited to – cloud cover, air temperature,
wind direction and speed, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity,
precipitation type and intensity, rain, depth of snowfall and
snowpack, weight and water equivalent and density of new snow,
surface penetrability and condition.
Avalanche occurrence is observed and information recorded.
Range:
1.4
snow observations may include but are not limited to – snow
penetrability, snow available for transport;
weather observations may include but are not limited to – strong
winds, sky condition, solar radiation influence, snowfall greater
than 2cm per hour.
date, time, trigger, avalanche path, type, identification name, size,
moisture content, terminus, slab depth and width, elevation, slope
angle, aspect.
Avalanche and weather observations are communicated to supervisor,
instructor or snow safety officer.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
18127 version 2
28-Jun-16
3 of 3
AVALANCHE
Record and communicate avalanche
and weather observations
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Industry Training Organisation
info@sfrito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Please Note
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards
or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before
they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to
develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and
assessors, and special resource requirements.
This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0050 which can be accessed at
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016