Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISOABA303A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOABA303A - Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to independently select fixed anchors for the attachment of ropes and equipment for belays, such as tapes and karabiners. These anchors are to be used to establish belay systems and rope pitches on single-pitched artificial abseiling surfaces, and must be able to accommodate different belayer and abseiler abilities.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those required to establish ropes for abseiling activities. This may include those working as abseiling guides or assistant guides in a range of controlled artificial conditions. This unit may also apply to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Nil
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Select suitable equipment for belay system.
  • Select a belay system according to contextual issues of the activity.
  • Identify and select equipment after consideration of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Select anchors that meet the requirements of the abseil and abilities of the participants.
  • Assess condition of theanchors, including performance under likely load.
  • Choose a belay device that is suitable to the artificial surface conditions and belayer's ability.
  • Complete all necessary safety checks, according to organisational policies and procedures.
       
Element: Set up belay system.
  • Rig multiple anchors, ensuring equalisation and minimal shock loading.
  • Tie knots and rig ropes suitable for the type of belay system established.
  • Establish a belay from which the belayer is able to escape and safely perform a rescue.
  • Avoid or remove belay hazards, to maintain safety of belayer.
  • Complete all necessary safety checks, according to organisational policies and procedures.
       
Element: Rig rope pitches.
  • Identify safe access to and egress from the site according to relevant legislation.
  • Identify descent route appropriate to context.
  • Select and tie knots suitable for the type of system established and for potential retrieval or rescue situations.
  • Minimise the risk of cross loading and cyclical loading of karabiners.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

independently selects appropriate equipment and carries out safety checks to ensure effective working order

differentiates between the different types of belay systems, anchors and knots and their suitability to different rigging situations

determines the need for, and establishes, belay systems to ensure safety of self and other participants.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in rigging of equipment that is of sufficient breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information regarding abseiling and belaying equipment

suitable artificial single pitch abseiling sites with simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate rigging skills

equipment such as anchors, harnesses, helmets, belay devices, descending devices, slings, ropes, karabiners 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:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe and appropriate use of all abseiling equipment

observation of safe participation and demonstration of setting up belay systems suitable to different contexts and participants

observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment misuse

third-party reports from a leader detailing performance.

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

SISOABA302A Apply single pitch abseiling skills on artificial surfaces.

SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to select appropriate anchors and belay systems for the context and conditions of the abseiling activity

rope handling and knot tying skills to rig ropes and anchors adequately and safely

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

Required knowledge

relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of abseiling activities

equipment types, characteristics and technology used to establish belays for abseiling on artificial surfaces

care and maintenance of equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements, as advised by the manufacturer's specifications and recommendations for equipment use

belay and anchor systems appropriate for single pitch artificial abseiling surfaces

technical abseiling and equipment knowledge to establish top belay and bottom brake

types of knots, their advantages and disadvantages and their impact on abseiling activities

emergency procedures, potential hazards and obstacles relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others.

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.

Belay system may include:

top belay

self belay

bottom brake.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Equipment may include:

ropes

tape slings

rope protectors

karabiners

belay devices.

rope protectors

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

use and maintenance of equipment

emergency procedures

code of ethics.

Anchors may include:

bolts

chains

bollards

eyelets

U bolts

beams

poles

wire cables.

Participants may include:

experienced

inexperienced

adults

children

tourists, club members, clients, school or youth groups.

Condition of the anchors may include:

age

location

wear

decay

corrosion

environmental stress

insect damage.

Likely load may include:

group size

set up

type of abseil conducted

abseiler ability

technique

possible forces generated during a fall.

Belay device may include:

plate devices

auto-locking devices

tubular devices

figure 8

inline device.

Artificial surface conditions may include:

portable or fixed walls or towers

fixed towers or bridges

indoor or outdoor

single pitch.

Safety checks may include:

certification of anchor points

angles at focal point

no shock loading

no single point at failure

minimum of two failsafe anchor points.

Knots may include:

knots that have at least 50% of the static strength of the rope

end-of-rope knots

mid-rope knots

rope joining knots

tape knot.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes of surfaces

slippery surfaces

dangerous animals and insects

group management hazards.

Safety of belayer may include:

attachment to anchor or alternate safety system

positioning out of direct line of equipment fall

minimising movement of the belayer in the event of a fall.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Select a belay system according to contextual issues of the activity. 
Identify and select equipment after consideration of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select anchors that meet the requirements of the abseil and abilities of the participants. 
Assess condition of theanchors, including performance under likely load. 
Choose a belay device that is suitable to the artificial surface conditions and belayer's ability. 
Complete all necessary safety checks, according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Rig multiple anchors, ensuring equalisation and minimal shock loading. 
Tie knots and rig ropes suitable for the type of belay system established. 
Establish a belay from which the belayer is able to escape and safely perform a rescue. 
Avoid or remove belay hazards, to maintain safety of belayer. 
Complete all necessary safety checks, according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify safe access to and egress from the site according to relevant legislation. 
Identify descent route appropriate to context. 
Select and tie knots suitable for the type of system established and for potential retrieval or rescue situations. 
Minimise the risk of cross loading and cyclical loading of karabiners. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOABA303A - Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces
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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOABA303A - Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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