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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan abseiling activity.
  2. Select equipment for the group.
  3. Brief participants.
  4. Supervise abseiling activity.
  5. Complete post-activity responsibilities.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

consult with participants to plan an abseiling activity that meets their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the activity

interact with participants to create a safe and positive abseiling environment

problemsolving skills to

plan a suitable abseiling activity according to participants needs and abilities

make decisions affecting activity such as potential hazards and impact of weather

respond appropriately to nonroutine situations

planning and organising skills to

source allocate and coordinate resources equipment and natural pitch suitable for the participants

organise participants into manageable groups for abseiling and belaying

language numeracy and literacy skills to

produce an activity plan for the abseiling activity

perform basic calculations to determine equipment needs based on height of pitch

complete post activity participant and self evaluations

effective and efficient personal abseiling skills to demonstrate and explain abseiling and belaying techniques to participants

rope handling retrieval and knot tying skills to rig ropes and anchors adequately and safely

contingency and rescue skills to recover participants from abseiling incident

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

minimal impact codes to ensure protection of the environment

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

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

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

nutritional requirements when abseiling to maintain wellbeing

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

belay systems devices and anchors appropriate for single pitch natural 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 be experienced in a natural 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

plans activity in accordance with participants needs relevant legislation organisational policy and procedures

briefs guides and monitors groups in a safe and professional manner

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

encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths weaknesses and areas that need improvement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure leading abseiling activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants and 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

a natural single pitch abseiling site suitable for the participants

a group of participants to take part in the abseiling activity

equipment such as harnesses helmets belay devices descending devices ropes gloves karabiners food and water 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 and 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 and equipment failure

review of abseiling activity plans

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

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

SISOVTRA Perform vertical rescues

SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues

SISOABNA Apply single pitch abseiling skills on natural surfaces

SISOABN303A Apply single pitch abseiling skills on natural surfaces

SISOABNA Establish ropes for single pitch abseiling on natural surfaces

SISOABN304A Establish ropes for single pitch abseiling on natural surfaces


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.

Condition of participants may include:

skill level

previous experience

physical capabilities and fitness level

age

injuries and illnesses.

Plan may include:

activity aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location

guide and participant ratios

resources

equipment

food and water

weather details

participant information

safety requirements

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

time and budget constraints

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

confidentiality of participant information

guide and participant ratios

emergency and safety procedures

code of ethics.

Activity objectives may include:

self improvement

fitness

social interaction

education

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Natural surfaces may include:

cliffs

boulders

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

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

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Food and water requirements may include:

perishability

packaging

storage.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines.

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

self belay.

Appropriate authorities may include:

authorities

supervisors

Equipment may include:

abseiling equipment:

safety equipment

rescue equipment.

Relevant information may include:

personal equipment requirements

safety procedures

possible hazards

environmental impact minimisation

abseiling and belaying techniques

objectives

rules and codes

responsible and safe behaviour.

Communication system may include:

calls

radio

hand signals

whistles.

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.

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 failure

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.