Assessor Resource

SISOABN406A
Apply multi pitch abseiling skills on natural surfaces

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to those working as abseiling guides or assistant guides in a range of natural conditions.

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 abseil independently in multi pitch descents on natural surfaces in a wide range of contexts. This unit does not include the application of belaying or rigging skills.

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:

selects and fits equipment independently and carries out safety checks to ensure effective working order

arranges a suitable communication system with belayer, when abseiling, to monitor progress

applies abseiling techniques and negotiates obstacles and hazards during to ensure safety of self and other participants

evaluates and reflects on own abseiling performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple abseiling activities on multi pitch natural surfaces that are of sufficient duration and breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also include access to:

resources and information regarding abseiling to accurately plan for the activity

a variety of multi pitch natural abseiling sites with obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate abseiling skills

other abseiling participants, to assist with belaying

equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, descending devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners 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:

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 safe participation and demonstration of abseiling skills, such as communicating with belayer to inform of progress

observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment failure or change in weather

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

SISOABN407A Establish ropes for multi pitch abseiling on natural surfaces

SISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescues.

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 inform progress and interact with belayer

problem-solving skills to identify and safely negotiate obstacles and hazards

rope handling skills to manage and retrieve ropes

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 all activities

minimal impact codes to ensure protection of the environment

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

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

knots that are appropriate to the abseiling activity to manage risk

abseiling techniques and common communication methods and calls used between abseilers and belayers to reduce risk during multi pitch abseiling on a variety of natural surfaces according to the features of the surface

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

hazards that may be experienced in a natural 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.

Food and water requirements may include:

perishability

packaging

storage.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

emergency procedures

code of ethics.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

Natural surfaces may include:

cliffs

boulders

Relevantsources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

coastal patrol or coastguard

volunteer marine rescue

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Communication system may include:

calls

radio

hand signals

whistles.

Equipment may include:

helmets

protective clothing

karabiners

harnesses

gloves

belay device

rope

anchors

spare equipment

first aid kit.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size

Safety checks may include:

A - anchors - secure and suitable to application

B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations

C - connectors - locked, secured and orientated

D - devices - threaded correctly and secured

E - everything else including end of rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured

F - friend - cross check.

Descending device may include:

auto locking devices

circular devices

plate devices

tubular devices

improvised devices

inline devices.

Belay system may include:

top belay

bottom brake

self belay.

Abseiling techniques may include:

walking backwards

bouncing backwards

forward rundowns.

Obstacles may include:

ledges

trees

falling water

overhangs

squeezes

traverses.

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
Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the duration of the activity. 
Identify and select an appropriate activity site or location according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify associated hazards and procedures to minimise risks to abseiler and belayer on natural surfaces. 
Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan. 
Establish a suitable communication system to use with belayer while abseiling. 
Select and use equipment in a safe and efficient manner, after consideration of contextual issues. 
Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety. 
Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks prior to commencement according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Select and attach descending device to the rope, suitable to the belay system being used. 
Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of descent site to minimise risk. 
Display correct posture and technique while abseiling, using single and double rope. 
Maintain effective communication between abseiler and belayer throughout the descent. 
Apply safe and correct abseiling techniques according to the belay system being used to minimise injury in the event of a fall. 
Negotiate obstacles and avoid or remove hazards to descend in a controlled manner. 
Demonstrate techniques that minimise damage to the environment while abseiling. 
Retrieve ropes upon completion of an abseil. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of abseiling. 
Identify improvements for future abseiling activities. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOABN406A - Apply multi pitch abseiling skills on natural surfaces
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOABN406A - Apply multi pitch abseiling skills on natural surfaces

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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Student signature:

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