Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for high ropes session.
- Identify different types and uses of challenge ropes courses.
- Select appropriate high rope course according to participant's needs and characteristics and the session's aims and objectives.
- Develop a plan according to relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures and participant's needs.
- Identify potential hazards associated with high ropes session and take measures to minimise risks.
- Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use during the session.
- Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
- Set up activity.
- Select and fit harness according to situation and manufacturer's recommendations.
- Identify safe attachment points throughout the course and or elements for the attachment of belays and safety lines.
- Set up elements requiring additional equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- Establish dynamic belay systems where required.
- Tie knots according to the situation.
- Select a belay device that is suitable for the situation and the belayer's ability.
- Outline belay methods.
- Instruct and demonstrate correct personal equipment fitting and use.
- Explain essential components of correct belay technique.
- Verify participant understanding of belay technique and safety procedures.
- Supervise participants' practice of belay techniques in a low risk situation.
- Provide feedback on correct technique, to ensure safety of high ropes course participant and belayer.
- Encourage communication between belayer and ropes course participant.
- Establish buddy systems to provide support.
- Conduct pre-activity inspection.
- Check site and immediate area according to organisational policies and procedures.
- Inspect individual elements and perform maintenance tasks according to own ability and responsibility.
- Refer maintenance tasks beyond own ability and responsibility to relevant industry specialists.
- Check participant's clothing and footwear for suitability prior to participation.
- Perform pre-activity check of equipment to ensure that it is in good working order.
- Conduct high ropes course activities.
- Identify potential hazards and risks to both ropes course participants and belayers associated with each element.
- Adjust belay system, where applicable, to ensure the safety of the belayer in the event of a fall.
- Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
- Implement appropriate modifications to activities in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
- Perform rescue of high ropes course participant.
- Determine the advantages and disadvantages of possible rescue strategies for individual situations.
- Identify situations requiring direct assistance, and apply correct approach procedures for the particular situation.
- Select the most appropriate strategy according to the degree of urgency, element features, resources, rescuee status and ability, and personal ability.
- Demonstrate an escape from a belay.
- Establish a rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their role.
- Operate a rescue system, demonstrating lowering procedures to recover a conscious person from a high ropes element with assistance from rescuee.
- Conclude session.
- Debrief the activity according to activity aims, objectives and own skills and abilities.
- Evaluate relevant aspects of the session and identify potential areas of improvement for future sessions.
- Dismantle, inspect and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- Prepare reports on the use of the course, and suggested maintenance and modifications, where applicable.