Assessor Resource

SISOVTR402A
Perform complex vertical rescues

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit applies to those working as outdoor guides in a range of uncontrolled activity-specific contexts in the fields of roping. This may include those required to perform complex single and multi pitch vertical rescues during abseiling, canyoning, caving and climbing activities.

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 rescue self and others in complex single and multi pitch vertical contexts. This unit only addresses specific vertical rescue competencies. It does not address generic competencies such as anchor selection.

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:

assesses the rescue scene to identify potential hazards, obstacles and risks, and determines the most effective and efficient rescue method according to the situation

selects rescue equipment and rigs ropes that allow for safe ascents and descents

performs self-rescue in complex situations while maintaining personal safety and negotiating obstacles and hazards

identifies situations requiring approach from above or below and those requiring the use of mechanical advantage systems to raise and lower a person or equipment

applies lowering and raising procedures, with assistance from others where required, in a controlled manner to recover a conscious and unconscious person in a variety of complex situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple vertical rescue activities in complex single and multi pitch contexts to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable complex single or multi pitch, in activity specific contexts such as abseiling, canyoning, caving and or climbing

personnel for team based rescues

rescue, safety, roping and activity-specific equipment according to rescue circumstances.

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 and rigging ropes for safe ascents and descents

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of complex single and multi pitch vertical rescue procedures and potential hazards, obstacles and risks

observation of performing safe and efficient self rescues and rescues of others using mechanical advantage systems

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:

Activity-specific units from the Fields of roping such as abseiling, canyoning, caving, climbing.

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

problem-solving skills to:

determine the rescue method to use according to the complex situation

anticipate and mitigate hazards, obstacles and risks

set up rescue ropes that allow for efficient ascent and descent

communication skills to:

inform progress

interact with other personnel and rescuee throughout the rescue process

teamwork skills to:

support other personnel in the rescue operation

assist others with lowering and raising procedures to recover a conscious or unconscious person

planning and organising skills to select relevant equipment and resources

methods of ascending and descending a fixed rope and the ability to change over

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

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of complex vertical rescue activities

hazards, obstacles and risks associated with complex vertical rescues to minimise risk to those involved

rigging of rescue ropes to allow for efficient ascents and descents

equipment and resource types, characteristics and technology to enable appropriate selection and use of equipment

methods of removing conscious and unconscious rescuee or equipment from complex vertical single or multi pitch, including lowering and raising procedures

rescue methods and techniques for using belay systems and devices, anchors, knots and ropes

principles of mechanical advantage systems and contexts in which they are used to enable safe and efficient operations

safety systems and emergency procedures relevant to the location and situation to ensure safety of self and other participants.

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.

Equipment may include:

Prusik cords

foot loops

tape

mechanical ascenders

descending devices

karabiners

maillon rapids

rope

stretcher

helmet

harness

artificial protection

rescue pulleys

releasable hitches

knife

slings

first aid equipment

personal protective equipment.

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.

Assess may include:

scouting hazards

determining rescue abilities

identifying the degree of urgency

availability of physical and human resources.

Complex vertical rescues may include:

multi pitch

numerous obstacles to negotiate

rescuee is unconscious

limited physical and human resources

counter balancing abseiling techniques

extreme environmental conditions.

Rescue method may include:

raising

lowering

assisted rescue from above or below

diagonal or horizontal traversing

transferring loads from one rope to another

descending methods for a 2 person abseil

pluck off.

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, maintenance and storage of equipment

communication protocols

access to medical personnel

removal of casualties

minimal impact codes

code of ethics.

Situations may include:

'frozen', wedged or inverted participant on pitch

hair or clothing jam

stuck rope or equipment

participant unable to overcome difficult section of route.

Mechanical advantage systems may include:

simple pulley systems with only one moving pulley

compound pulley systems with more than one pulley in system

assisted and unassisted hoist.

Obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures may include:

by-passing obstacle

raising body weight

changeovers to another system while suspended on a rope.

Obstacles may include:

knots

rope pads and protectors

traverses

ledges

trees

other pitch users.

Harness may include:

sit

chest.

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 rescue equipment based on situation and check to ensure it is safe for use. 
Identify immediate hazards and assess risks to self and others. 
Assess the complex vertical rescue situation and select and co-ordinate a suitable rescue method according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Communicate directions to other members of the group. 
Identify situations requiring the use of mechanical advantage systems and determine the type of system required according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures. 
Organise operational systems to raise and lower a person or equipment, ensuring the safety of operators, rescuee and others. 
Rig ropes for efficient ascent or descent. 
Use system equipment in a safe and effective manner according to manufacturer's recommendations and organisational policies and procedures, to ensure that design limits are not exceeded. 
Assess the situation and identify suitable obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Carry out complex self rescue and negotiate obstacles while maintaining personal safety according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify rescue techniques for complex situations and select a technique according to the degree of urgency, resources, rescuee status and personal ability. 
Identify situations requiring approach from above or below and apply approach procedures for the situation. 
Demonstrate an escape from the belay system. 
Establish rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their roles. 
Construct and use an improvised harness in a rescue situation. 
Operate a rescue system, demonstrating lowering and raising procedures to recover conscious and unconscious persons in single and multi pitch situations, with assistance from others. 
Provide assistance to establish and use a system to rescue a person on a stretcher. 
Check and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines. 
Evaluate rescue activity and identify improvements for future complex vertical rescues. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOVTR402A - Perform complex vertical rescues
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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOVTR402A - Perform complex vertical rescues

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