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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan for the abseiling activity.
  2. Select and utilise appropriate equipment.
  3. Demonstrate abseiling technique.
  4. Demonstrate belaying technique.
  5. Evaluate abseiling activity.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to inform progress and interact with abseiler and or belayer

problemsolving skills to

identify and negotiate obstacles and hazards when abseiling

assess application of rope tension when belaying

rope handling skills to maintain adequate rope tension when belaying

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

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

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

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

belay techniques and devices appropriate for single pitch surfaces

technical abseiling knowledge such as common 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 be experienced in an artificial abseiling environment

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

Evidence Required

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

applies relevant processes to plan for abseiling and belaying activities and identifies procedures to minimise potential hazards and risks

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

arranges a suitable communication system with abseiler when belaying to monitor progress

negotiates obstacles and hazards during abseiling and adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise to ensure safety of self and other participants

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in abseiling and belaying activities on single pitch artificial surfaces that are of a sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also include access to

resources and information regarding abseiling and belaying to accurately plan for the activity

a suitable artificial single pitch abseiling site with simple 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 and belaying skills such as communicating with abseiler or belayer to inform of progress

observation of dealing with contingencies such as equipment misuse or change in weather or abseiler entrapment

thirdparty reports from a leader detailing performance

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

SISOABAA Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces

SISOABA303A Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces

SISOVTRA Perform vertical rescues

SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues.


Range Statement

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:

range of foods

perishability

packaging.

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

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

emergency procedures

code of ethics.

Hazards may include:

fitting and fixtures

surface irregularities

dangerous animals and insects

slippery surfaces.

Risks may include:

emotional risk

injuries

exhaustion

equipment and misuse.

Artificial surfaces may include:

portable or fixed walls

fixed towers or bridges

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 events

event warnings

synoptic charts.

Communication system may include:

calls

radio

hand signals

whistles.

Equipment may include:

helmets

protective clothing

karabiners

harnesses

gloves

belay device

descender

rope

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- 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.

Descending device may include:

auto locking devices

circular devices

plate devices

tubular devices

improvised devices

inline devices.

Knots may include:

rethreaded figure 8

figure 8 on bight

friction hitches.

Belay system may include:

top belay

bottom brake

self belay.

Abseiling techniques may include:

expedition abseil

sports abseil

forward rundowns.

Simple obstacles may include:

ledges

overhangs

squeezes

Belay device may include:

plate devices

auto locking devices

tubular devices

figure 8

inline device

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.

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.