SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Track a person 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
376442  Track a person 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Special Combat Capabilities 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners assessed against this unit standard will possess the skills and techniques required to track a human as an individual or as part of a tracking team.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Identify a spoor.
  • Interpret a spoor.
  • Demonstrate anti-tracking.
  • Demonstrate tactical tracking.

    The achievement of this unit standard will contribute to the personal development of members in the special operations environment and further mobility and transportability within the tourism and sports industry. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner will be competent in:
  • Interpreting a topographical map for navigation purposes at NQF Level 5.
  • Using a hand held compass for navigation purposes at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • During the day. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify a spoor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A human spoor is identified through its physical dimensions during a structured scenario. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Physical spoor dimensions include but are not limited to:
  • Size.
  • Width.
  • Depth.
  • Sole pattern.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Sunlight is used to enhance the visibility of spoor in order to maintain momentum while tracking. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A measuring tool is utilized to mark the step interval during a structured scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Tracks are marked to indicate left and right imprints in order to determine the direction and speed of the person being tracked. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Interpret spoor. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The age of the spoor is determined by assessing the influence of the ageing factors on the spoor. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ageing factors include but are not limited to:
  • Definition and erosion.
  • Debris.
  • Stratification.
  • Comparison.
  • Scarring and healing of vegetation.
  • Colour change.
  • Humidity and temperature.
  • Soil types.
  • Shelter and exposure.
  • Human/animal scat.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The spoor is assessed to determine the number of people being tracked. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The spoor and surrounding area is analysed in order to identify any supporting information that may be used to gather information on the persons being tracked. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Supporting information includes but is not limited to:
  • Weapons and loads being carried.
  • Intentions.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate anti-tracking. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of anti-tracking is explained by using examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Natural features are used to aid anti-tracking in order to confuse or delay a tracking party. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Natural features include but are not limited to:
  • Rocky terrain.
  • Rivers, streams and dams.
  • Pans.
  • Soft sand.
  • Areas that are difficult to negotiate; e.g. steep inclines, dense bush and slippery slopes.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Man-made features are used to aid anti-tracking in order to confuse or delay a tracking party. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Man-made features include but are not limited to:
  • Blankets.
  • Fences.
  • Roads or paved surfaces.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Anti-tracking techniques are applied in order to confuse or delay a tracking party. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Anti-tracking techniques include but are not limited to:
  • Change of direction.
  • Timing.
  • Disguising tracks.
  • False spoor/signs.
  • Scattering.
  • Special footwear and walking techniques.
  • Imprinting neutral tracks.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate tactical tracking. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The individual equipment required during tactical tracking operations is identified and prepared according to the terrain and type of person being tracked. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Individual equipment includes but is not limited to:
  • Food.
  • Water.
  • Weapons.
  • Clothing.
  • Communication equipment e.g. radios, flares, whistles, etc.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Team tracking formations are applied in order to maximise the area covered. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Team tracking formations include but are not limited to:
  • Extended line.
  • Wedge.
  • Inverted V.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Leapfrogging is applied in order to increase the momentum of the tracking team. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The lost spoor procedure is applied in order to relocate the specific spoor which the tracking team is following. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The integration of technical support is discussed to show their advantages and disadvantages with regards to spoor follow up operations. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Technical support includes but is not limited to:
  • Dogs.
  • Vehicles.
  • Rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decision's using critical and creative thinking has been made when learners are capable of identifying and interpreting a spoor in order to determine the direction of movement of the person and follow the spoor. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community where the learners are capable of performing tactical tracking within a tracking team during follow up operations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively where learners are capable of preparing themselves and their personal equipment for a tracking operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information when learners are capable of collecting and critically evaluating the factors influencing the age of the track as well as the speed and direction of movement of the person being tracked. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual and language skills in modes of oral and written persuasion where learners will be able to effectively communicate by means of visual and oral commands while performing in a tracking team during a follow up operation. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  78263   National Higher Certificate: Special Combat Capabilities  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. RATAPHELA ADVENTURES CC 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.