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

SISOABA405A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Establish ropes for multi pitch abseiling on artificial surfaces

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOABA405A - Establish ropes for multi pitch abseiling on artificial surfaces
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to independently select anchors and rig ropes for multi pitch abseiling on artificial surfaces. These anchors are to be used in establishing belay systems and rope pitches, and must be able to accommodate different belayer and abseiler abilities in multi pitch contexts. No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those required to establish ropes for multi pitch abseiling activities. This may include those working as abseiling guides or assistant guides in a range of 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 according to 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, and action unsafe equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
       
Element: Set up belay system.
  • Rig anchors, ensuring equalisation and minimal shock loading in the event of a failure.
  • 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 and action unsafe equipment 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

uses discretion and judgement to determine belay system required for abseiling in multi pitch contexts and differentiates between the 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 anchors and 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 multi pitch abseiling sites with fixed anchors and varying qualities and features that allow participant to demonstrate rigging skills

equipment such as anchors, harnesses, belay systems, 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.

SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues

SISOABA303A Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces

Guidance information for assessment


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 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 multipitch abseiling activities

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

technical abseiling and equipment knowledge to establish appropriate belay systems

types of knots, their advantages and disadvantages and their impact on roping 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.

Contextualissues 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.

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

prusik cord and suitable friction hitch.

Figure 8

Inline device

Artificial surface conditions may include:

portable or fixed walls or towers

fixed towers or bridges

indoor or outdoor

Safety checks may include:

Certification of anchor points

Angles at focal point

No slack 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 original

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 according to 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, and action unsafe equipment according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Rig anchors, ensuring equalisation and minimal shock loading in the event of a failure. 
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 and action unsafe equipment 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

SISOABA405A - Establish ropes for multi pitch abseiling on artificial surfaces
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOABA405A - Establish ropes for multi pitch abseiling on artificial surfaces

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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