Assessor Resource

SISOABA304A
Guide abseiling on single pitch artificial surfaces

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to those working as abseiling guides or assistant guides in a range of controlled artificial conditions that have easy access to the top and bottom of the pitch.

This unit may also apply to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants in a single pitch abseiling activity on an artificial surface. This unit focuses on the skills to guide a group through an abseiling activity.

No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Nil


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

Develop an activity plan and documentation which comply with relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures

continually monitors the performance and progress of participants and identifies and corrects any performance issues

applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with problems and issues that arise during the abseiling activity

receive feedback

evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that can be improved.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure the planning and guiding of abseiling activities for single pitch artificial surfaces that are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document abseiling activities for a variety of participants

an artificial abseiling site suitable to the abilities of participants

a group of participants to take part in the abseiling activity

equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, descending devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, rescue equipment and safety and first aid equipment.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of interaction with a group of participants including conveying information for safe participation

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all abseiling activities

observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions, equipment misuse, abseiler entrapment

review of abseiling activity plans

third-party reports from a leader detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISOABA303A Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces.

Guidance information for assessment


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan an appropriate abseiling activity

convey information about the safety aspects of the activity

interact with participants to create a safe and positive abseiling environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan a suitable abseiling activity according to participant's needs and abilities

make decisions affecting the activity

respond appropriately to non routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and an artificial pitch suitable for the participants

organise participants into manageable groups for abseiling and belaying

language and literacy skills to:

produce an activity plan for the abseiling activity,

complete post-activity participant and self evaluations

personal abseiling skills to a high level , rescue skills and be able to demonstrate and explain abseiling and belaying techniques to participants

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of abseiling activities

site specific information to assist in the planning process and to enable management of potential abseiling hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the site

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for abseiling on artificial surfaces, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

clothing and footwear requirements for abseiling activities to ensure comfort and safety

care and maintenance of abseiling equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements are met

abseiling techniques and common communication methods and calls used between abseilers and belayers to reduce risk during abseiling on artificial surfaces

belay systems, devices and anchors appropriate for single pitch artificial surfaces

technical abseiling knowledge, such as techniques and procedures to suit the features of the surface

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity

hazards that may commonly be encountered in an artificial abseiling environment

emergency procedures, potential hazards and obstacles relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Condition of participants may include:

skill level

previous experience

fitness level and physical capabilities

age

injuries and illnesses.

Plan may include:

activity aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location or site

guide and participant ratios

resources and equipment

food and water

weather details

risk management plan.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

participant confidentiality

assessment procedures

time constraints

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

guide and participant ratios

emergency and safety procedures

code of ethics.

Activity objectives may include:

self improvement

meeting people

fitness targets

adventure and recreation.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes on surfaces

slippery surfaces

dangerous animals and insects

group management hazards.

Risks may include:

Emotional risk

injuries

exhaustion

equipment misuse

Artificial surfaces may include:

portable or fixed wall

fixed tower or bridge

indoor or outdoor

single pitch.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

synoptic charts

Food and water requirements may include:

perishability

packaging

storage.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Belay system may include:

top belay

bottom brake.

Appropriate authorities may include:

government departments or agents

facility and land managers

statutary bodies

supervisors.

Equipment may include:

ropes

harnesses

descending device

karabiners

helmet

belay devices

first aid kit

rope protectors

knife

rescue pulley

whistle

Relevant information may include:

personal equipment requirements:

safety procedures

preventative measures for risks

possible hazards

abseiling and belaying techniques

objectives

rules and codes

responsible and safe behaviour.

Communication system may include:

calls

radio

hand signals

whistles.

Safety procedures may include:

A - anchors - secure and suitable to application

B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations

C- connector - locked, secured and orientated

D - devices - threaded correctly and secured

E - organisation specific procedures including; end or rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured.

F- friend - cross check.

Participant's performance may include:

use of appropriate communication system

abseiling technique

attitude

negotiation of hazards

use of equipment.

Variable factors may include:

change of weather

equipment misuse

participant's needs

abseiling conditions.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Conduct relevant assessments to determine the conditionofparticipants. 
Develop an activity plan, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures, to meet participant's needs. 
Select an appropriate activity site or location that is suitable for participants and meets activity objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify hazards associated with abseiling on artificial surfaces and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants. 
Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan, where applicable. 
Determine food and water requirements according to contextual issues of the activity. 
Determine most appropriate belay system according to participant's abilities and site conditions. 
Inform appropriate authorities before commencing the abseiling activity. 
Select equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check that it is in good working condition. 
Assess equipment for safety and suitability, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort. 
Select safety and rescue equipment to check suitability to the group and the abseil. 
Communicate instructions and relevant information about the abseiling activity in a manner suitable to the participants. 
Demonstrate correct abseiling and belaying techniques. 
Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while abseiling and belaying. 
Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the activity. 
Confirm participants are properly equipped for the abseil and correct any omissions or deficiencies. 
Conduct introductory activities for participants, to reduce the risk of injury. 
Provide clear and concise direction and advice to group during the activity. 
Monitor participant's performance of abseiling and belaying techniques and provide feedback as required. 
Identify potential hazards as they occur and implement contingency actions according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Implement appropriate modifications to activity in regard to all variable factors that are monitored. 
Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures including manufacturers recommendations. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of abseiling activity. 
Identify potential areas of improvement for future abseiling activities. 
Review performance and identify potential improvements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOABA304A - Guide abseiling on single pitch artificial surfaces
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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOABA304A - Guide abseiling on single pitch artificial surfaces

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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