Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for the climb.
- Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for the climb and conditions.
- Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.
- Confirm protocols for communications between climber and belayer.
- Interpret route description; identify position of natural features, the climb route and contingencies.
- Attach and adjust belay equipment to self and tie knots suitable for the established belay system.
- Complete equipment safety checks prior to climbing or belaying.
- Climb and descend single pitch routes using top rope techniques.
- Use safety procedures at bottom, top of and throughout climbs to minimise risk to self and others present.
- Use appropriate posture and climbing techniques suitable to natural features.
- Locate and evaluate natural features during climb and adjust technique to suit.
- Locate and utilise rest positions to reduce fatigue.
- Safely approach, avoid or negotiate hazards to ascend and descend in a controlled manner.
- Maintain effective communication with belayer throughout climb.
- Use appropriate posture and top rope lowering techniques during descent.
- Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the surface during climb.
- Belay tope rope climbers.
- Avoid or negotiate hazards and use safety procedures to minimise risk to self and others present.
- Establish belaying position and attach self to anchor, as required, to allow effective and safe use of belay system.
- Maintain rope tension to minimise fall distance and ensure climber movement is not unduly restricted.
- Monitor climber progress constantly, and maintain clear communication with climber.
- Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to belaying device and situation.
- Safely and efficiently secure climber using tie off techniques; release tie off and allow climber to continue.