21741
28-Jun-16
1 of 4
AVALANCHE
Identify strategies to minimise risk to
self and others when planning a
backcountry mountain trip
level:
3
credit:
3
planned review date:
June 2009
sub-field:
Snowsport
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to: identify
sources of information that provide advice regarding
avalanches, and backcountry mountain trip planning; and
identify strategies that can minimise risk to self and others
when planning a backcountry mountain trip.
entry information:
Prerequisite: Unit 18134, Demonstrate knowledge of
avalanche phenomena, 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:
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/.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
21741
28-Jun-16
2 of 4
AVALANCHE
Identify strategies to minimise risk to
self and others when planning a
backcountry mountain trip
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Identify sources of information that provide advice regarding avalanches, and backcountry
mountain trip planning.
performance criteria
1.1
Sources of information and the role of snow safety personnel are described in
terms of the information and advice they can provide regarding avalanche
hazard.
Range:
sources may include but are not limited to – snowsport area patrol,
snow safety officers, heli-guides, Department of Conservation,
New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, roading companies, New
Zealand Land Search and Rescue, Police, weather reports,
topography maps, boundary markers, avalanche danger signs,
public advisory systems including internet websites;
information and advice may include but is not limited to – current
avalanche danger, location of avalanche warning signs, snowsport
area boundaries, weather forecasts, avalanche control work.
element 2
Identify strategies that can minimise risk to self and others when planning a backcountry
mountain trip.
performance criteria
2.1
Factors that can influence own behaviour and that of other people in relation to
activities in a mountain environment are explained.
Range:
factors may include but are not limited to – peer pressure,
competition, group management, time, pre-planned trips, actions,
values, attitudes, needs, experience, skills and ability of group,
purpose of trip.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
21741
28-Jun-16
3 of 4
AVALANCHE
Identify strategies to minimise risk to
self and others when planning a
backcountry mountain trip
2.2
Strategies that can minimise risk to self and others when planning a trip into the
mountains are described and evaluated.
Range:
2.3
Personal clothing and safety equipment is described for travelling in potential
avalanche terrain.
Range:
2.4
must include but is not limited to – collapsible probe, portable
shovel, transceiver.
Impacts of irresponsible behaviour in the mountains are described.
Range:
2.5
may include – seeking advice of experienced personnel;
consulting weather, wind and mountain reports, and topography
maps; personal experience; checking avalanche risk signs;
remaining within snowsport area boundaries; informing people of
planned trip; working as a group; training; leadership; avalanche
triangle; paying attention to changing conditions, assessing and
reassessing; equipment; route selection; alternate routes;
abandoning trip.
may include but is not limited to – impact on snow user
community, avalanche triggers, putting other people at risk,
expense, time.
Opportunities to further training and experience are identified for increasing
personal avalanche knowledge and skills.
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.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
21741
28-Jun-16
4 of 4
AVALANCHE
Identify strategies to minimise risk to
self and others when planning a
backcountry mountain trip
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