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

SISOCLA412 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Instruct top rope climbing on artificial surfaces

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOCLA412 - Instruct top rope climbing on artificial surfaces
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to instruct participants in top rope single pitch climbing on an artificial surface. This unit focuses on planning, instructing and evaluating an instructional climbing session to enable participants to achieve the skills and knowledge required to participate independently, or with minimal supervision, in single pitch top rope climbing on artificial surfaces.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those working as climbing instructors or assistant instructors for private outdoor adventure companies in permanent or mobile facilities, or group leaders in school outdoor education programs in a range of controlled artificial conditions, and who are responsible for instructing participants in the skills and knowledge required to plan, implement and evaluate top rope climbing activities conducted in a range of single pitch artificial conditions. The single pitch climbing site should be free from hazards and complex set-up, and anchors should be fixed, obvious and easily accessible.This unit may also apply to outdoor recreation 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: Plan a climbing session.
  • Establish participant needs and characteristics.
  • Assess current climbing knowledge of participants in order to determine session aims and objectives.
  • Determine an appropriate instructional plan according to participant needs and characteristics.
  • Develop a climbing plan to meet participant needs and characteristics, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Determine artificial surface for session.
  • Identify potential hazards and risks associated with climbing on an artificial surface and minimise according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity and contingency plans, as appropriate.
       
Element: Select and organise equipment and resources.
  • Select, access and check serviceability of equipment and resources according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Check personal protective equipment for safety and suitability, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer recommendations, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort and safety.
  • Check anchors and belay system to ensure conformance to relevant standards for artificial climbing surfaces.
  • Organise and check that participants are wearing appropriate clothing and climbing footwear.
  • Check emergency response equipment including first aid kit and make available to support instructional activities at height.
       
Element: Brief participants.
  • Communicate instructions and relevant information about the climbing session in a manner suitable to the participants.
  • Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.
  • Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while climbing and belaying.
  • Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the activity.
  • Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the climbing session and that equipment is fitted and adjusted.
       
Element: Instruct a climbing session.
  • Conduct introductory activities for participants to reduce the risk of injury.
  • Demonstrate effective climbing, belaying and back-up belaying techniques.
  • Demonstrate and practice effective procedures for creating a secure and stable rope attachment to the climbers harness.
  • Demonstrate and practice effective human operated belay procedures.
  • Apply clear and accurate instructional techniques to impart climbing specific knowledge, skills and safety and rescue procedures.
  • Observe participant performance during climbing session, provide appropriate feedback and adjust or refine individual and or group technique as required.
  • Demonstrate procedures for dealing with emergency and non routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • Inform participants of opportunities to further develop their climbing skills and knowledge.
       
Element: Instruct a rescue techniques session.
  • Demonstrate how to manage situations requiring direct assistance, and demonstrate correct approach procedures for the particular situation.
  • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of rescue strategies for individual situations.
  • Demonstrate different direct and indirect rescue strategies according to the degree of urgency, resources, rescuee status and ability.
  • Demonstrate establishing and operating a rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their role.
  • Demonstrate lowering procedures to recover a conscious and unconscious person from an artificial surface with assistance from others who are unskilled in rescue techniques.
  • Demonstrate constructing and using an improvised harness in a rescue situation.
  • Demonstrate an escape from a belay.
  • Monitor participants during rescue session, provide appropriate feedback to adjust or refine individual and group technique as required.
       
Element: Complete post-session responsibilities.
  • Retrieve, inspect and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • Evaluate relevant aspects of the climbing sessions.
  • Identify potential areas of improvement for future climbing sessions.
  • Review own performance and identify potential improvements.
       


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 ability to:

plan and instruct climbing activities using a variety of instructional techniques that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants

observe and monitor the progress of participants, provide constructive feedback and intervention and modify instructional techniques and activities to improve climbing performance

apply effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the climbing sessions

evaluate and reflect on own instruction performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure that climbing activities reflect the needs of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document climbing activities for a variety of participants

an artificial climbing surface suitable for the participants

a group of participants to take part in the climbing activities

climbing equipment such as harnesses, belay devices, ropes, and carabiners.

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 interaction with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation

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

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

review of climbing activity plans

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the individual.

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


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

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan a climbing session that meets their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the session

interact with participants to create a safe and positive climbing environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan a suitable climbing session

address participant difficulties in developing climbing techniques

anticipate and respond appropriately to non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and a suitable artificial surface

monitor and evaluate progress

organise participants into manageable groups for climbing and belaying

language and literacy skills to:

produce climbing and instructional plans

complete post-session participant and self evaluations

instructional techniques to suit a range of participant needs and characteristics

highly developed personal climbing skills to demonstrate and explain climbing, belaying and rescue techniques to participants

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies whilst instructing climbing on artificial surfaces.

Required knowledge

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

site specific information to assist in planning and enable management of potential climbing risks and hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the site

hazards and risks that may be experienced in an artificial climbing environment

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for climbing on artificial surfaces, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

clothing and footwear requirements for climbing activities to ensure comfort and safety

care and maintenance of climbing equipment, equipment log books and retirement of gear, to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements

instruction techniques and theories applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities

climbing techniques, common communication methods and calls used between climbers and belayers to reduce risk during climbing on artificial surfaces

belay systems, devices and anchors appropriate for single pitch artificial surfaces

technical climbing knowledge, such as techniques and procedures to suit the features of the surface

direct and indirect rescue techniques used in various artificial surface situations

weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity, if appropriate

first aid and emergency procedures 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.

Participant needs and characteristics may include:

age

fitness level and physical capabilities

experience

current skills and knowledge

injuries and illnesses

cultural.

Session aims and objectives may include:

developing climbing skills

education and self improvement

therapy

fitness targets

social and recreation

assessment.

Instructional plan may include:

outcomes

course content

sequenced information

lesson plans

teaching strategies

practical exercises

materials and equipment

safety and standards

modification for different abilities

assessment strategies

evaluation.

Climbing plan may include:

activity aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location or site

guide and participant ratios

resources

equipment

food and water

weather details

participant information

safety requirements.

Relevant legislation may include:

work health and safety

permits or permission for access.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

work health and safety

time constraints

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

confidentiality of participant information

guide and participant ratios

emergency and safety procedures

code of ethics.

Artificial surfaces may include:

portable or fixed walls

fixed towers

indoor or outdoor.

Hazards and risks may include:

lack of planning

equipment failure

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

group management

lack of supervision.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

relevant for artificial surfaces in outdoor settings:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

UV index

synoptic charts.

Equipment may include:

ropes

harnesses

belay devices

connective hardware e.g. maillons, carabiners, hooks

karabiners

chalk and chalk bag

helmet

rope protectors

knife

rescue pulley

adjustable sling (floor anchorage to belay person)

accessory cord

whistle.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size

age and ability.

Belay system may include:

human operated belay

team belay

floor/ground anchorage

redirects

self-locking belay devices

belay devices which require hand grip control to arrest fall

automatic mechanical belay system - self retracting lines with speed limited lowering.

Relevant information may include:

personal protection equipment requirements

safety procedures

hazards and associated risks

preventative control measures for risks

climbing and belaying techniques/procedures

objectives

assessment

site rules and codes.

Communication system may include:

calls

hand signals

whistles.

Safety procedures may include:

self checks following a well defined logical sequence

buddy system checks following a well defined logical sequence

ABCDEF Safety Check:

A - anchors - secure and suitable to application

B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations

C - connector - locked, secured and orientated

D - devices - threaded correctly and secured

E - organisation specific procedures, including; end or rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured

F- friend - cross check

adherence to site rules and procedures

compliance to instructions given by supervising staff.

Instructional techniques may include:

discussion

questioning

demonstration

practical exercises

discovery

role play

problem solving

revision

D.E.D.I.C.T.:

demonstrate

explain

demonstrate

instruct

critique

test

E.D.I.C.T:

explain

demonstrate

instruct

critique

test

I.D.E.A:

introduce

demonstrate

explain

apply.

Climbing specific knowledge and skills may include:

climbing technique

belaying technique

communications systems

rescue systems and techniques

hazards and risks on artificial surfaces

use and care of equipment.

Participant performance may include:

use of appropriate communication system

climbing technique

attitude

use of equipment

rig ropes and associated equipment

Approach procedures may include:

ascending rope

ascending ladder

work platform.

Rescue strategies may include:

direct intervention techniques:

accessing the climber via portable ladder

providing a portable ladder for use as a support tool

seizing control of belay system

changing out the belay person

removing tension/load from the climbing rope

lowering technique

indirect intervention techniques:

oral instructions to climber (eg talk them down)

provide encouragement

provide instructions as deemed necessary to bring the situation under control.

Resources may include:

portable ladder

mobile work platform

rescue equipment

pulleys

accessory cord

tools

pliers

shifter

knife

connection hardware e.g. maillons, carabiners.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather (if outdoors)

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

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
Establish participant needs and characteristics. 
Assess current climbing knowledge of participants in order to determine session aims and objectives. 
Determine an appropriate instructional plan according to participant needs and characteristics. 
Develop a climbing plan to meet participant needs and characteristics, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Determine artificial surface for session. 
Identify potential hazards and risks associated with climbing on an artificial surface and minimise according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity and contingency plans, as appropriate. 
Select, access and check serviceability of equipment and resources according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures. 
Check personal protective equipment for safety and suitability, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer recommendations, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort and safety. 
Check anchors and belay system to ensure conformance to relevant standards for artificial climbing surfaces. 
Organise and check that participants are wearing appropriate clothing and climbing footwear. 
Check emergency response equipment including first aid kit and make available to support instructional activities at height. 
Communicate instructions and relevant information about the climbing session in a manner suitable to the participants. 
Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session. 
Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while climbing and belaying. 
Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the activity. 
Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the climbing session and that equipment is fitted and adjusted. 
Conduct introductory activities for participants to reduce the risk of injury. 
Demonstrate effective climbing, belaying and back-up belaying techniques. 
Demonstrate and practice effective procedures for creating a secure and stable rope attachment to the climbers harness. 
Demonstrate and practice effective human operated belay procedures. 
Apply clear and accurate instructional techniques to impart climbing specific knowledge, skills and safety and rescue procedures. 
Observe participant performance during climbing session, provide appropriate feedback and adjust or refine individual and or group technique as required. 
Demonstrate procedures for dealing with emergency and non routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Inform participants of opportunities to further develop their climbing skills and knowledge. 
Demonstrate how to manage situations requiring direct assistance, and demonstrate correct approach procedures for the particular situation. 
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of rescue strategies for individual situations. 
Demonstrate different direct and indirect rescue strategies according to the degree of urgency, resources, rescuee status and ability. 
Demonstrate establishing and operating a rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their role. 
Demonstrate lowering procedures to recover a conscious and unconscious person from an artificial surface with assistance from others who are unskilled in rescue techniques. 
Demonstrate constructing and using an improvised harness in a rescue situation. 
Demonstrate an escape from a belay. 
Monitor participants during rescue session, provide appropriate feedback to adjust or refine individual and group technique as required. 
Retrieve, inspect and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of the climbing sessions. 
Identify potential areas of improvement for future climbing sessions. 
Review own performance and identify potential improvements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOCLA412 - Instruct top rope climbing 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

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

SISOCLA412 - Instruct top rope climbing 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

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: