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

SISOCLN302A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply climbing skills on natural surfaces

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOCLN302A - Apply climbing skills on natural surfaces
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply climbing and belaying skills to single pitch top rope situations on natural surfaces. This unit relates to independent participation as part of a climbing party. It does not include the competencies required to instruct or guide others or establishing belay systems. 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 working as climbing guides or assistant guides in a range of controlled natural conditions,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
Competency Field Climbing-natural surface
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 for the climbing activity.
  • Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the duration of the activity.
  • Identify and select an appropriate activity site after consideration of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Identify associated hazards and procedures to minimise risks to climber and belayer on natural surfaces.
  • Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
  • Establish a suitable communication system to use while climbing and belaying with other participants.
  • Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of ascent site to minimise risk.
       
Element: Select and utilise appropriate equipment.
  • Select and use equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, after consideration of contextual issues.
  • Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety.
  • Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks prior to commencing climbing and or belaying.
  • Demonstrate attachment to a suitable belay system in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations, and apply correct rope handling and knot tying techniques.
       
Element: Demonstrate climbing technique.
  • Select a suitable route to climb, inspect the position and quality of features, and interpret the route description.
  • Display correct posture and fluent climbing techniques suitable to features and holds.
  • Maintain effective communication between climber and belayer throughout climb.
  • Apply climbing techniques to minimise injury in the event of a fall or rock fall.
  • Locate and utilise rest positions to reduce fatigue.
  • Negotiate simple obstacles and avoid or remove hazards to climb in a controlled manner.
  • Demonstrate suitable posture for lowering purposes.
       
Element: Demonstrate belaying technique.
  • Establish belaying position by moving body in relation to belay device that allows effective use of belay system.
  • Demonstrate a safe and efficient escape from belay system, and attachment of belayer to anchor to minimise movement during a fall.
  • Maintain rope tension to ensure fall distance is minimised whilst not restricting climber movement.
  • Monitor climber progress constantly and respond appropriately to climber calls.
  • Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to the belaying device and or situation.
       
Element: Evaluate climbing activity.
  • Evaluate relevant aspects of climbing and belaying.
  • Identify improvements for future climbing activities.
       


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:

applies relevant processes to plan for climbing activity, and describes suitable route to take

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

arranges a suitable communication system with climber, when belaying, to monitor progress

negotiates obstacles and hazards during climbing, and adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise to ensure safety of self and other participants

evaluates and reflects on own climbing and belaying performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple climbing and belaying activities on single pitch natural surfaces to allow the participant to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information regarding climbing and belaying, to accurately plan for the activity

a suitable natural single pitch climbing site with simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate climbing skills

other climbing participants, to assist with belaying

equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, climbing shoes 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 and or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all climbing activities

observation of safe participation and demonstration of climbing and belaying skills, such as communicating with climber or belayer to inform of progress

observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment failure or change in weather

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

SISOCLN303A Establish belays for climbing on natural surfaces

SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues.

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

communication skills to inform progress and interact with climber and or belayer whilst participating in activity

problem-solving skills to negotiate obstacles and hazards when climbing, and assess application of rope tension when belaying

rope handling skills to maintain adequate rope tension when belaying

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 all activities

minimal impact climbing codes to ensure protection of the environment

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

care and maintenance of climbing equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements

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

belay techniques and devices appropriate for single pitch surfaces

technical climbing knowledge, such as selection and description of suitable route to take

basic weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity

hazards that may be experienced in a natural climbing environment

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.

Food and water requirements may include:

perishability

packaging

storage.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

operating procedures and company or enterprise policies

occupational health and safety

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

emergency procedures

code of ethics.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Risks may include:

falls and slips

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure.

Natural surfaces may include:

cliff

boulder.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Communicationsystem may include:

calls

radio

hand signals

whistles.

Equipment may include:

harness

helmet

climbing shoes

karabiners

belay devices

tapes and slings

rope

chalk bag and chalk.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Safety checks may include:

A - anchors - secure and suitable to application

B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations

C - connectors - locked, secured and orientated

D - devices - threaded correctly and secured

E - everything else including end of rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured

F - friend - cross check.

Belay system may include:

top belay

bottom belay.

Knot tying may include:

figure eight

bowline

Features may include:

aretes

chimneys

corners

cracks

edges

flakes

jugs

overhangs

roofs

pinnacles

ledges

pockets.

Route description may include:

verbal

written.

Climbing techniques may include:

bridging

layaways

side pulls

laybacking

pinch grips

smearing

underclings

mantle - shelving

crimping

jamming

chimneying

lunging.

Rest positions may include:

an appropriate edge to lean against

ledge to lean against

no hands rest.

Simple obstacles may include:

ledges

overhangs

squeezes

traverses

vegetation.

Belay device may include:

plate device

tube device

auto locking device

body belay.

hitch such as Munter or Italian.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment 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
Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the duration of the activity. 
Identify and select an appropriate activity site after consideration of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify associated hazards and procedures to minimise risks to climber and belayer on natural surfaces. 
Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan. 
Establish a suitable communication system to use while climbing and belaying with other participants. 
Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of ascent site to minimise risk. 
Select and use equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, after consideration of contextual issues. 
Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety. 
Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks prior to commencing climbing and or belaying. 
Demonstrate attachment to a suitable belay system in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations, and apply correct rope handling and knot tying techniques. 
Select a suitable route to climb, inspect the position and quality of features, and interpret the route description. 
Display correct posture and fluent climbing techniques suitable to features and holds. 
Maintain effective communication between climber and belayer throughout climb. 
Apply climbing techniques to minimise injury in the event of a fall or rock fall. 
Locate and utilise rest positions to reduce fatigue. 
Negotiate simple obstacles and avoid or remove hazards to climb in a controlled manner. 
Demonstrate suitable posture for lowering purposes. 
Establish belaying position by moving body in relation to belay device that allows effective use of belay system. 
Demonstrate a safe and efficient escape from belay system, and attachment of belayer to anchor to minimise movement during a fall. 
Maintain rope tension to ensure fall distance is minimised whilst not restricting climber movement. 
Monitor climber progress constantly and respond appropriately to climber calls. 
Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to the belaying device and or situation. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of climbing and belaying. 
Identify improvements for future climbing activities. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOCLN302A - Apply climbing skills on natural 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

SISOCLN302A - Apply climbing skills on natural 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: