18135 version 2
28-Jun-16
1 of 3
AVALANCHE
Assist on an avalanche response
level:
3
credit:
2
planned review date:
June 2009
sub-field:
Snowsport
replacement information:
This unit standard, unit standard 18134, and unit standard
18136, replaced unit standard 4614.
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to
demonstrate knowledge of avalanche rescue plans, and
demonstrate skills for rescuing others in an avalanche
rescue.
entry information:
Open.
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
People undertaking assessment against this unit
standard must be able to move around a mountain
environment, and need to be able to meet the clothing
and equipment requirements for the mountains.
2
All activities must comply with any relevant
environmental, legislative and/or regulatory
requirements set out in the Health and Safety in
Employment Act 1992, Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation,
and Compensation Act 2001, and their subsequent
amendments.
3
Documented industry protocols include – Don Bogie,
Alpine Rescue Techniques (Wellington: New Zealand
Mountain Safety Council, 1992); and New Zealand
Guidelines and Recording Standards for Weather,
Snowpack and Avalanche Observations, (Wellington:
New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, 2003).
4
The use of simulated assessment may be required for
this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
18135 version 2
28-Jun-16
2 of 3
AVALANCHE
Assist on an avalanche response
5
There are minimum assessor requirements for
assessment against this unit standard. The details of
these requirements are available on the Sfrito website
http://www.sfrito.org.nz/.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of avalanche rescue plans.
performance criteria
1.1
The roles and responsibilities of an organised avalanche rescue are described.
Range:
1.2
base rescue leader, accident site commander, police, first party
leader, second party leader, dog search;
may include but is not limited to – rescue plans, location of plans
and equipment.
The importance of witness statements and witness procedures are identified
according to industry protocols, and company or snowsport area policy.
element 2
Demonstrate skills for rescuing others in an avalanche rescue.
Range:
simulated or actual.
performance criteria
2.1
Search techniques are demonstrated for rescuing others involved in an
avalanche in accordance with industry protocols.
Range:
visual search, probing, digging, site management, noncontamination of site;
may include but is not limited to – transceiver search, dog search.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
18135 version 2
28-Jun-16
3 of 3
AVALANCHE
Assist on an avalanche response
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