Outdoor Qualifications which one?

Transcription

1 Outdoor Qualifications which one? For leading groups in the UK there are a number of qualifications offered by different organisation. Each has a clearly defined remit and a different training and assessment schedule. When selecting the qualification needed the area that is being journeyed in must be regarded as a whole not by selecting certain parts. Licenced Organisations will decide on which qualifications they require for each terrain and may have their own internal awards. For supervising Walking, Hill Walking and Mountaineering Activities Basic Expedition Assistant Leader (BEAL) by Sports Leader UK Terrain is the same as BEL below but this is an assistant qualification only. Those holding this cannot take responsibility for DofE teams and need to be under the supervision of a BEL or higher award holder. Can be undertaken by anyone over hours of training 4 hour first aid 4 hour assessment Basic Expedition Leader (BEL) Sports Leader UK Countryside Leader Award (CLA) Accredited by the company who runs the qualification Low-lying rural countryside, farmland, valleys, woodland and small areas of forest. Lowland glens and valleys from which reliable access to communication or external assistance is feasible without undue delay and without reliance on any portable communications device. Gentle to moderate rolling terrain with no steep slopes to negotiate. Walking should be on footpaths with clearly identifiable features and landmarks. Areas must be enclosed by well defined geographical or man made boundaries such as classified roads. Geographical area is identical to the BEL award as above. At present this qualification is not recognised by many Licenced Organisations or Local Authorities. Suitable for those with no prior experience 62 hours of training 20 hours of assessment Can be done over a series of evenings and weekends or over a number of weekends. At least 1 weekend will include camping. Prior experience required before attending training course 3 days training including camping

2 Lowland Leader (LL) Accrediting body Hill and Moorland Award (HML) Previously - Walking Group Leader (WGL) (ML) Mountain Instructor Award (MIA) Covers the same terrain as the BEL award. Designed for those with some knowledge at outset. APL for the training course is possible on application Terrain that includes open, uncultivated, non mountainous, high or remote country known variously as upland, moor, bog, fell, hill or down. Areas enclosed by well defined geographical or man made boundaries such as classified roads. (Areas that merge with mountain regions and do not have well defined boundaries are excluded.) Areas of remoteness that are easily exited in a few hours, returning to a refuge or an accessible road. Areas where movement on steep or rocky terrain is not required (in either a planned or unplanned situation) Suitable for Bronze, Silver and Gold expeditions Any terrain including that above where there are no clear boundaries and are classed as mountainous or where steep or rocky terrain may be encountered. A further Award can also be gained as a Winter qualification notated as ML(W) Suitable for Bronze, Silver and Gold expeditions Multi pitch climbing and scrambling, assessment of outdoor competency to ML level, exceptionally experienced and competent. Suitable for using as a Technical advisor for all mountaineering matters. 2 day training course Further 2 day training and assessment module available for Expeditions and camping. Requires good experience prior to training 3 days training 3 days assessment Additional 2 day training and assessment module available for Expeditions and camping if not already undertake for Lowland Leader award. Requires substantial experience prior to training 6 days training or 2 blocks of 3 days 5 days assessment or 2 blocks of 3 days Requires ML and SPA qualification prior to attendance on 9 day training course 4 day assessment course

3 For supervising Rock Climbing Activities Climbing Wall Award For use on artificial walls, towers and structures. (CWA) Single Pitch Award (SPA) Can be extended with an additional Abseiling award and an award to teach lead climbing For teaching and supervising climbing and abseiling on towers, walls, and natural rock, indoors and out. Does not cover the teaching of lead climbing For the Supervision of Paddling activities The British Canoe Union distinguishes between Coaching and Leadership and offers separate awards for both. 2 days training 2 days training certificate Coaching involves the teaching of skills and supporting and supervising students Leading involves taking others who have some basic skills into an environment and ensuring their safety, those with a leadership qualification but without the appropriate coaching qualification can not introduce paddlers to a new environment. UKCC BCU Level 1 Very sheltered water only 4 days training and assessment Coach An assistant coach working under supervision of a Level 2 coach or above UKCC BCU Level 2 Coach Running taster sessions and supporting paddlers to learn new skills Able to deliver progressive sessions, working on flat water in very sheltered or sheltered water. Able to deliver Kayak or Canoe sessions Able to supervise Level 1 Coaches Suitable to supervise DofE teams on very sheltered or sheltered water such as canals, small lakes, slow moving rivers. 4 days training Child protection module 8 hour first Aid 1 Foundation module

4 BCU Level 2 coach Pre Star Leadership award (post 2007) UKCC BCU Level 2 Coach with Moderate Water endorsement UKCC BCU Level 3 coach As above but qualified either in Canoe or Kayak Qualified to lead competent paddlers in the following environments according to their qualification: Sea Surf Open Canoe White Water Kayak Touring 4 star leaders would have the technical competency to act as supervisors for DofE teams in the environment in which they are qualified. However, without a coaching qualification they cannot introduce novice paddlers to the environment or coach them. A UKCC Level 2 coach with a 4 star Leadership award who has been assessed for the moderate water endorsement. Endorsed as MW(Sea), MW(Surf), MW(WW Kayak) or MW(OC) Able to introduce beginners to moving water up to and including grade 2, or the Sea (depending on the area of their qualification) and supervise and train DofE Teams. Coaches with a high level of experience and expertise in specific areas of paddle sport 2 day training 16 hour First Aid 1 day training In total 9 days training 2 days assessment BCU Level 3 Coach (pre 2007) BCU Level 4 Coach BCU 5 Star Leadership award Able to deploy other coaches and design long term training plans Able to introduce beginners to moving water up to and including grade 2, or the Sea (depending on the area of their qualification) and supervise and train DofE Teams Able to introduce beginners to moving water up to and including grade 3, or the Sea (depending on the area of their qualification) and supervise and train DofE Teams Also able to operate in more advanced conditions Able to lead in Advanced conditions. 5 star leaders would have the technical competency to act as supervisors for DofE teams in the environment in which they are qualified. Without a coaching qualification they cannot introduce novice paddlers to the environment or coach them. certificate required certificate required 2 day training Hold 4 star leadership award

5 BCU Level 5 Coach Exceedingly experienced coaches with substantial knowledge of their discipline 6 day training course Note for the supervision of Paddle Expeditions. Currently no BCU Qualifications include assessment on camping skills and therefore establishments should ensure that Paddlesport Coaches or Leaders have sufficient skills to undertake training in campcraft or paddle skills. Remember with all qualifications that to remain current and validated they will require an in date first aid certificate of the relevant length. In addition for paddling qualifications the paddler must maintain current membership of their national body; Canoe England, Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe NI or the Welsh Canoe Association. In addition anyone with outdoor qualifications should keep a log book of their experiences which should be up to date and relevant to show that they are maintaining their competency levels.