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

SISOCVE306A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Rig ropes and establish belays in caves

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOCVE306A - Rig ropes and establish belays in caves
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to independently select fixed or natural anchors for the attachment of ropes and equipment for belays. These anchors are to be used in establishing belay systems and rigging rope pitches for abseiling and single rope technique in caves. Anchors must be selected from a diversity of locations, offering different environmental conditions.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 caving guides or instructors either autonomously or as part of a team in familiar and unfamiliar situations within a range of natural cave locations with simple obstacles and vertical single pitches where rigging ropes and establishing belays are required to accommodate different belayer and abseiler abilities. This unit also applies 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: Choose anchor or anchors.
  • Assess condition of anchors, including performance under likely load, and the stability of the surroundings.
  • Identify and select solid and secure anchors according to organisational policies and procedures and contextual issues.
  • Select anchors that minimise environmental impact according to participant's characteristics and abilities, location of the anchors, and requirements of the abseil.
  • Determine appropriate belay systems and back-up systems, according to the type of anchors selected and organisational policies and procedures.
       
Element: Select and set up a belay system.
  • Select a belay system according to the abilities, limitations and needs of the belayer and abseiler.
  • Identify potential forces generated during a fall and how this may impact on selection of belay system.
  • Establish a belay system according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrate the rigging of multiple anchors, ensuring equalisation and minimal shock loading, where applicable.
  • Set up a belay that maintains safety of belayer and minimises movement of the belayer in the event of a fall.
  • Establish a belay from which the belayer is able to escape and safely perform a rescue.
  • Select a belay device that is suitable for the situation and the belayer's ability, and demonstrate use according to manufacturer's specifications and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Check all equipment for signs of corrosion, abrasion, impact and aging and take measures to correct any deficiency.
  • Identify potential hazards and procedures to minimise risks to abseiler and belayer.
       
Element: Rig rope pitches.
  • Identify safe access to and egress from the site according to relevant organisational policies and procedures.
  • Determine ascent or descent route according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Tie knots suitable for the type of system established and for potential retrieval or rescue situations.
  • Set up anchors and ropes to facilitate potential rescue.
       


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:

selects and establishes solid and secure anchors after considering the factors that affect their stability

establishes a belay system at the top and bottom of cave pitches according to contextual issues and the individual situation

uses suitable belay devices and knots for different situations and determines the need for back up belay systems

establishes a self belay system where required

identifies and eliminates hazards to ensure risk minimisation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure establishment of belay systems and rigging of ropes for single pitch abseiling activities in caving environments that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

suitable natural cave sites with various qualities and fixed anchors

belay equipment and natural and fixed anchors to rig ropes and establish belays.

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 suitable anchors and belay systems according to the situation and participant's abilities

observation of rigging ropes and establishing belays within a single pitch caving context

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

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:

SISOCVE302A Apply single pitch abseiling skills in caves.

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 anchors and belay systems for the context and conditions of the activity

identify and overcome hazards

asses condition of all equipment prior to use

takes steps to rectify any deficiencies

rig ropes and anchors safely

self management skills to take responsibility for rigging of ropes and anchors, and establishing belays

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

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable the safe conduct of all activities

equipment types, characteristics and technology used to rig ropes and establish belays in caves to enable the safe selection, use and maintenance of all required equipment

principles of anchor systems such as equally shared load, single component failure and effect, redundancy and angle of separation

principles and types of belay systems and devices, such as top and bottom belays, self belays, dynamic and static belays

advantages and disadvantages of various knots in a variety of situations

safety systems and emergency procedures relevant to the location and situation 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.

Condition may include:

age

location

wear

decay

corrosion

weathering

environmental stress

insect damage.

Anchors may include:

natural

fixed.

Likely load may include:

group size

set up

type of use, such as abseiling and laddering

cavers ability

technique.

Stability of surroundings may include:

location

cracks

deformities

fissures

underlying structural features of natural anchors.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

communication protocols

minimal impact environmental and caving codes

Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines

code of ethics.

Contextual issues may include:

belayer's and abseiler's abilities

weight ratio of abseiler to belayer

group size

other users

pitch height

environmental impact

soundness of rock

access and egress

weather conditions

Environmental impact may include:

rock dislodgement

compacting of soil

damage to flora, fauna, bird's nests, fossils and bone remains and cave formations

effect on other users of the site.

Participant may include:

experienced

inexperienced

adults

children.

Belay system may include:

at the top of a pitch

at the bottom of the pitch

dynamic and static belays

self belays.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Safety of belayer may include:

attachment to anchor or alternate safety system

positioning out of direct line of rock or equipment fall.

Belay devices may include:

plate devices

auto-locking devices

tubular devices

Prussik cord and suitable friction hitch.

Equipment may include:

ropes

tape slings

rope protectors

karabiners

maillon rapids:

belay devices

harnesses

helmets

first aid equipment.

Hazards may include:

loose rocks or gear

sharp edges

moving ropes running over stationary ropes, tape or webbing

tripping on rigging.

Risks may include:

injuries

stings or bites

equipment failure.

Knots may include:

end-of-rope knots

mid-rope-knots

rope joining knots

tape knot

friction knots.

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
Assess condition of anchors, including performance under likely load, and the stability of the surroundings. 
Identify and select solid and secure anchors according to organisational policies and procedures and contextual issues. 
Select anchors that minimise environmental impact according to participant's characteristics and abilities, location of the anchors, and requirements of the abseil. 
Determine appropriate belay systems and back-up systems, according to the type of anchors selected and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select a belay system according to the abilities, limitations and needs of the belayer and abseiler. 
Identify potential forces generated during a fall and how this may impact on selection of belay system. 
Establish a belay system according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Demonstrate the rigging of multiple anchors, ensuring equalisation and minimal shock loading, where applicable. 
Set up a belay that maintains safety of belayer and minimises movement of the belayer in the event of a fall. 
Establish a belay from which the belayer is able to escape and safely perform a rescue. 
Select a belay device that is suitable for the situation and the belayer's ability, and demonstrate use according to manufacturer's specifications and organisational policies and procedures. 
Check all equipment for signs of corrosion, abrasion, impact and aging and take measures to correct any deficiency. 
Identify potential hazards and procedures to minimise risks to abseiler and belayer. 
Identify safe access to and egress from the site according to relevant organisational policies and procedures. 
Determine ascent or descent route according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures. 
Tie knots suitable for the type of system established and for potential retrieval or rescue situations. 
Set up anchors and ropes to facilitate potential rescue. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOCVE306A - Rig ropes and establish belays in caves
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

SISOCVE306A - Rig ropes and establish belays in caves

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: