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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan for low ropes session.
  2. Program a suitable sequence of activities.
  3. Conduct pre-activity inspection.
  4. Supervise low ropes course activities.
  5. Conclude activity.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

consult with participants to plan low ropes sessions that meet their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the sessions

interact with participants and assistants to create a safe and positive environment

problemsolving skills to

plan a suitable session according to participants needs and abilities

make decisions regarding potential hazards and impact of weather conditions

respond appropriately to nonroutine situations

planning and organising skills to

source allocate and coordinate suitable low ropes course and additional equipment for the participants

conduct relevant safety checks and inspection of course before use

organise participants into manageable groups for activities

observe and monitor participants and assistants to ensure safety

adjust or modify aspects of program to achieve aims and objectives

language and literacy skills to

produce plans

complete post session participant and self evaluations

prepare reports detailing the use of the course and required maintenance

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the site to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct throughout low ropes session

site and course specific information to enable safe and effective planning minimal environmental impact and management of potential hazards risks and any special restrictions applying to the site

course and additional equipment characteristics function and operation and factors affecting selection use and maintenance

clothing and footwear requirements to enable safe participation in low ropes session

methods of moving through a low ropes course suitable sequencing and spotting techniques to achieve aims and objectives

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the session

group management and common communication systems used between participants and assistants to reduce risk throughout low ropes session

emergency and safety procedures to negotiate potential hazards and risks relevant to the course to ensure safety of self and participants

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 within activity constraints and selects appropriate low ropes course suitable to participants needs and characteristics

conducts thorough preactivity inspections of course and individual elements and carries out appropriate maintenance according to level of responsibility and prepares reports accordingly

observes and monitors participant and assistant participation thoroughly to ensure program is suitable to their needs and characteristics and meets intended aims and objectives

applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of hazards and risks that commonly arise during challenge ropes sessions

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure supervision of low ropes activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must ensure access to

a minimum of two different low ropes courses each with a minimum of five elements including a variety of standard low ropes course elements that require a variety of spotting techniques

a group of participants to take part in the low ropes session

assistants where required

resources and information regarding participants and course to accurately plan supervise and document activities for a variety of participants

additional low ropes equipment such as ladders hand ropes swing ropes pulleys detachable elements 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 adequate preactivity checks of low ropes course to ensure it is undamaged and free from hazards

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all activities during session

observation of safe and thorough supervision of participants and assistants throughout the activity

observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure

review of session plan and reports on course use and maintenance

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

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


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.

Session plan may include:

session's aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location or course site

set up and inspection requirements

coach or staff or assistant and participant ratios

additional equipment

weather details.

Participant's needs and characteristics may include:

age

cultural factors

situational factors

previous experience

injuries and illnesses

physical

emotional

psychological.

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

permits or permission for access

time and budget constraints

use and maintenance of course and equipment

communication protocols

confidentiality of participant information

ratios and supervision requirements

code of ethics.

Aims and objectives may include:

developing low rope skills

education

development

therapy

fitness targets

recreation.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

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.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

local knowledge.

Weather and environmentalinformation 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:

menu planning and preparation

range of foods.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines

essential nutrients

food preparation and safe food handling and hygiene practices

individual food requirements and allergies.

Communication system may include:

calls

radio

hand signals

whistles.

Environmental impact may include:

compaction of soil, flora, soft fall material

erosion

disturbance of fauna or flora

modification or reduction of aesthetic value.

Factors may include:

level of commitment

trust

co-operation

stage of group formation.

Sequence of activities may include:

warm up activities

stage of group formation

individual and group goals.

Additional equipment may include:

ladders

hand ropes

swing ropes

pulleys

detachable elements

eye bolts

camming devices

wire rope grips

shackles

thimbles

rigging screws

turnbuckles

staples.

Maintenance tasks may include:

covering frayed wire rope ends

replacing frayed or damaged rope

tightening loose nuts

removing hazards.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.