Assessor Resource

SISOCAY303A
Establish belays in canyons

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to those working as canyoning guides or assistant guides required to establish belays for canyoning activities in a range of controlled single pitch locations with a variety of terrain obstacles, hazards and environmental conditions.

This unit also applies to outdoor recreation 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 select anchors for the attachment of ropes and equipment for belays. These anchors are to be used in establishing belay systems and rigging rope pitches for canyoning. These systems must be able to accommodate different belayer and abseiler abilities in a single pitch context. Anchors must be selected from a diversity of locations, offering different environmental conditions, rock type and tree type.

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 equipment and conducts safety checks to ensure effective working order

differentiates between the types of belay systems, anchors and knots and their suitability to different rigging situations

determines the need for, and establishes, back up belay systems to ensure safety of self and other participants.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure establishment of multiple belays to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable canyoning location with a vertical single pitch and simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate belay rigging skills

equipment required for the establishment of belays.

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 selecting equipment according to contextual issues

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe use of all equipment

observation of safe participation and demonstration of setting up belay systems suitable to different contexts

observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment failure

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:

SISOCAY302A Apply vertical canyoning skills

SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues.

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

problem-solving skills to:

minimise and or eliminate hazards

select anchors and belay systems for the context and conditions of canyoning activity

rope handling and knot tying skills to rig ropes and anchors

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

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct and legal access of all belaying activities conducted in a canyon

minimal impact canyoning codes to ensure protection of the environment

equipment types, characteristics and technology used to establish belays for abseiling in canyons

care and maintenance of equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements, as advised by the manufacturer's recommendations for equipment use

belay and anchor systems appropriate for single pitch natural surfaces

technical abseiling and equipment knowledge to establish top and bottom belays

types of knots, their advantages and disadvantages, and their impact on roping activities

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.

Belay system may include:

top of a pitch

bottom of the pitch

self belay.

Environmental impact may include:

rock dislodgement

compacting of soil

effect on other users of the site

damage to flora, fauna, and the environment.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Equipment may include:

ropes

tape slings

karabiners

rope protectors

belay devices

descending devices

specific canyoning equipment.

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

emergency procedures

communication protocols

use and maintenance of equipment

code of ethics.

Anchors may include:

natural

fixed.

Participants may include:

experienced

inexperienced

adults

children.

Condition of the anchors may include:

age

location

wear

decay

corrosion

environmental stress

insect damage.

Likely load may include:

group size

set up

type of abseil conducted

abseiler ability

possible forces generated during a fall.

Belay device may include:

plate devices

auto-locking devices

tubular devices

Prusik cord and suitable friction hitch.

Safety checks may include:

A - anchors - secure and suitable to application

B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations

C - connectors - locked secured and oriented

D - devices - threaded correctly and secured

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

F - friend - cross check.

Knots may include:

end-of-rope knots

mid-rope knots

rope joining knots

tape knots.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Safety of belayer may include:

attachment to anchor or alternate safety system

positioning out of direct line of rock or equipment fall.

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
Select a belay system that minimises environmental impact according to contextual issues. 
Identify and select equipment according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select anchors that meet the requirements of the abseil and abilities of the participants. 
Assess condition of the anchors, including performance under likely load, and stability of surroundings. 
Choose a belay device that is suitable to the surface conditions and belayer's ability. 
Complete all necessary equipment safety checks according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Rig multiple anchors, ensuring equalisation and minimal shock loading. 
Tie knots and rig ropes suitable for the type of belay system established. 
Establish a belay from which the belayer is able to escape and safely perform a rescue. 
Establish a belay that maintains safety of belayer and minimises movement of the belayer in the event of a fall. 
Avoid or remove belay hazards to maintain safety of belayer. 
Determine the need for, and establish back up belay systems. 
Identify safe access to and egress from the site according to relevant legislation. 
Determine ascent and or descent route according to contextual issues. 
Tie knots that are suitable for the type of system established and for potential retrieval or rescue situations. 
Set up anchors and ropes to facilitate rescue. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOCAY303A - Establish belays in canyons
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

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

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOCAY303A - Establish belays in canyons

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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