Required skills

problemsolving skills to

determine the rescue method to use according to the complex situation

anticipate and mitigate hazards obstacles and risks

set up 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

assist others with lowering and raising procedures to recover a conscious or unconscious person

planning and organising skills to select relevant equipment and resources

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

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 complex vertical rescue activities

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

rigging of rescue ropes to allow for efficient ascents and descents

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

methods of removing conscious and unconscious rescuee or equipment from complex vertical single or multi pitch including lowering and raising procedures

rescue methods and techniques for using belay systems and devices anchors knots and ropes

principles of mechanical advantage systems and contexts in which they are used to enable safe and efficient operations

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

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

assesses the rescue scene to identify potential hazards obstacles and risks and determines the most effective and efficient rescue method according to the situation

selects rescue equipment and rigs ropes that allow for safe ascents and descents

performs selfrescue in complex situations while maintaining personal safety and negotiating obstacles and hazards

identifies situations requiring approach from above or below and those requiring the use of mechanical advantage systems to raise and lower a person or equipment

applies lowering and raising procedures with assistance from others where required in a controlled manner to recover a conscious and unconscious person in a variety of complex situations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

Assessment must also ensure access to

a suitable complex single or multi pitch 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 complex single and multi 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:

Hazards may include:

Risks may include:

Assess may include:

Complex vertical rescues may include:

Rescue method may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Situations may include:

Mechanical advantage systems may include:

Obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures may include:

Obstacles may include:

Harness may include: