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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Conduct a guided adventure experience 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
335816  Conduct a guided adventure experience 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Guiding 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
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
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 
This Unit Standard is aimed at individuals operating in or envisaging operating in the tourism environment in the capacity of a guide specialising in the provision of adventure based guided experiences and services to local and international tourists.

The Unit Standard aims to enable the enhancement of services provided to clients during the general conducting of an adventure based guided experience regardless of the area of specialisation and the specific environment in which the guided experience is provided.

The Unit Standard provides generically applicable specific outcomes and criteria, which need to be contextualised and applied to a selected adventure activity context in which the guided experience is provided.

From the premises that an individual first masters an activity and then provides guiding services within the activity context, this unit standard does not aim to transfer the adventure activity skills, but to enable the application of guiding within the context of a selected adventurous activity and it can thus be applied to any of the following adventure activity contexts:
  • Mountain biking/touring.
  • Quad biking.
  • Motor biking touring.
  • Sea-kayaking.
  • Inland and river kayaking.
  • Placid water canoeing.
  • White-water canoeing.
  • River tripping.
  • River rafting.
  • Abseiling.
  • Bungee jumping.
  • Cable swinging.
  • Hiking.
  • Horse riding.
  • Horse trailing/safaring.
  • Camel safaring.
  • Pony trekking.
  • Tree top canopy touring.
  • Kloofing/canyoning.
  • Mountaineering.
  • Rock climbing.
  • Climbing; artificial surfaces.
  • Climbing; natural surfaces.
  • Caving/spelunking.
  • Surfing.
  • Snowboarding.
  • Archery.
  • Snorkelling.
  • Bush-walking; easy untracked.
  • Bush-walking; difficult.
  • Kayak fishing.
  • Kayak safaring.
  • 4x4 touring.
  • Hot air ballooning.
  • Adventure racing.
  • Boat seal-sighting trips.
  • Boat fishing trips.
  • Foefie sliding.
  • Helicopter sightseeing trips.
  • Houseboating.
  • Spear fishing.
  • Whale watching.
  • Game catching.
  • Scuba diving.
  • Hunting and wind shooting.

    On achievement of this unit standard the learner will understand and be able to:
  • Prepare to conduct an adventure based guided experience.
  • Conduct an adventure based guided experience.
  • Conclude and review an adventure based a guided experience. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in:
  • Communication Literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Numeracy or Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Proof of skills and Competency in the selected adventure activity. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Prepare to conduct an adventure based guided experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A terrain is selected to meet the skills and competencies of an identified group of participants and the expected outcomes of the exercise. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Selection criteria includes but is not limited to:
  • Environmental factors, hazards and how to deal with hazards, weather conditions as it applies to the adventurous activity and the terrain in which it is executed.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Resources are prepared in support of the exercise. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Resources requirements include but are not limited to major equipment, maintenance, tools, spare parts for repairs, repair and support kits, first aid kits, safety equipment, that includes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed for the activity group size requirements, logistical arrangements such as transportation of equipment.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    All administration and logistic arrangements are checked to ensure proceeding of the guided experience. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Administration includes but is not limited to the checking of:
  • Permits, medical documentation, completion of indemnity forms, public liability insurance, passports, security arrangements, accommodation and cancellations.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Safety precautions as it applies to the guided activity are explained in terms of procedures and resources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Safety precautions includes but are not limited to:
  • Safety equipment use in terms of legislative, weather and light conditions, minimising of risk, guarding of personal and group safety, communication, navigational equipment or any related aspects applicable to the type, duration and skills level associated with the guided activity.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Equipment serviceability inspections are conducted in support of safety precautions forming part of activity planning. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Serviceability inspections include but are not limited to:
  • Routine deficiency checks on equipment, safety gear, first aid and maintenance kits.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Conduct an adventure based guided experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Participants are briefed so as to enable understanding of the rules, conditions and safety requirements of the guided experience. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Participants include but are not limited to:
  • Participating clients, support staff.

    Briefing includes but is not limited to:
  • Activity requirements, routes, emergency situations, communication, hazards and obstacles, buddy of sentinel systems, safety precautions as it applies to the planned activity.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information is provided to clients on preventative measures against common injuries, wound, conditions and complaints encountered whilst participation in activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Final equipment inspections and adjustments are concluded in support of individual and group safety. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Inspection and checks of and safety gear as per activity, personal and terrain requirements, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) selection use and distribution.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Skills are demonstrated so as to familiarise participants with techniques fitting the conditions and requirements of the terrain and exercise. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Techniques include but are not limited to appropriate use of equipment, appropriate manoeuvring techniques as it applies to the specific activity to maximise effective equipment use and safety, dealing with specific challenges associated with self-rescue and buddy rescue as it applies to the activity and equipment used.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Participants are lead through the planned adventure based activity/exercise. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Leading includes but is not limited to facilitation of individual and group support, pressures and actions so as to maintain individual and group safety, coaching and support of individuals during the activity, monitoring of participants in terms of correct safety procedures and application, following of maps, routes and the execution of the planned experience as it applies to the adventure based exercise.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Conclude and review an adventure based a guided experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Post activity routine and non-routine maintenance checks are conducted so as to ensure effective equipment maintenance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Maintenance checks include but are not limited to:
  • Dismantling of equipment, checks for wear, damage, loss and maintenance or replacement requirements.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Equipment records are completed as per administrative requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The experience is reviewed in terms of challenges and support of future planning and improvements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A report is drafted so as to reflect suggestions for future interventions and considerations in the planning of an adventure based guided experience. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Administration checks and documentation procedures are concluded. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing an individual against this unit standard must meet the assessor requirements of the relevant ETQA. In particular, such assessors must demonstrate that they assess in terms of the scope and context defined in all the range statements.
  • Any institution offering learning towards this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • People skills.
  • Technical skills.
  • Judgement.
  • Briefing requirements.
  • Coaching skills.
  • Use of specialised equipment for the selected guided activity.
  • Safety requirements as it applies to the selected guided activity.
  • Planning and preparation skills.
  • Equipment maintenance.
  • Safety awareness in different environments and conditions.
  • Report writing. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving:
  • Critical thinking and problem solving is required to balance customer needs and expectation with the constraints of time and cost as well as in the making of alternative plans and arrangements to ensure the smooth flow of the adventure based guided experience. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Gathering, evaluation and assessment of information:
  • A broad range of information is handled in the collecting (gathering), analysis and evaluation of information in the preparation of the planning of an adventure based guided experience. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Effective communication:
  • Effective communication skills are essential and are maintained in the preparation and conducting of an adventure based guided experience. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Seeing the world as a set of interrelated systems:
  • The interrelatedness of systems is supported in an awareness of cultural and environmental sensitivity and the maintaining of legal and other requirements within the area in which guiding interventions are provided. 
    		•

    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 
    Values:

    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:
  • Ecological and social rights and responsibilities.
  • Sustainable utilisation of the environments in which services are to be provided. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  71549   Further Education and Training Certificate: Tourist Guiding  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.