Required skills

problemsolving skills to

determine the most appropriate rescue method to use according to the situation

anticipate and mitigate hazards obstacles and risks

establish rescue ropes that allow for efficient ascent and descent

communication skills to

inform progress

interact with other personnel and rescuee throughout the rescue process

teamwork skills to support other personnel in the rescue operation including lowering and raising procedures to recover a conscious person in a single pitch situation

methods of ascending and descending a fixed rope and the ability to change over

planning and organising skills to select relevant equipment and resources

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of vertical rescue activities

hazards obstacles and risks associated with vertical rescues to minimise risk to those involved

rigging of rescue ropes to minimise the effects of rope stretch and significant rub points and to allow for efficient ascents and descents

equipment and resource types characteristics and technology to enable appropriate selection and use of equipment

principles and techniques for using belay systems and devices anchors knots and ropes

principles of mechanical advantage systems and contexts in which they are used

methods of removing rescuee or equipment from vertical single pitch including lowering and raising procedures

safety systems and emergency procedures relevant to the location and situation to ensure safety of self and other personnel

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

selects rescue equipment according to rescue circumstances and rigs ropes to allow for safe ascents and descents

ascends and descends ropes in a safe and efficient manner and identifies and negotiates hazards obstacles and risks to self and others

performs selfrescue in routine activityspecific situations while maintaining personal safety

uses mechanical advantage systems to raise and lower a conscious person and or equipment in a controlled manner with assistance from others where required according to contextual issues

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple vertical rescue activities in single pitch contexts to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

a suitable single pitch above or below ground in activity specific contexts such as abseiling canyoning caving and or climbing

personnel for team based rescues

rescue safety roping and activityspecific equipment according to rescue circumstances

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 selecting equipment and rigging ropes for safe ascents and descents

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of single pitch vertical rescue procedures and potential hazards obstacles and risks

observation of performing safe and efficient self rescues and rescues of others using mechanical advantage systems

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

Activityspecific units from the Fields of roping such as abseiling canyoning caving climbing

Guidance information for assessment

Equipment may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Rig may include:

Effects of rope stretch may include:

Significant rub points may include:

Personal safety systems may include:

Hazards may include:

Risks may include:

Tune may include:

Single rope technique rig may include:

Obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures may include:

Simple obstacles may include:

Contextual issues may include:

Mechanical advantage systems may include:

Harness may include: