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

SISOCVE411A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply vertical caving skills

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOCVE411A - Apply vertical caving skills
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply specific exploration techniques, such as free climbing, for use in vertical caving activities. Other related competencies, such as rigging, are defined in other units.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those working as caving adventure guides, instructors or program managers. This may include those required to apply free climbing skills during vertical caving activities. 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 SISOCVE302A Apply single pitch abseiling skills in caves SISOCVE305A Apply caving specific single rope techniques
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 for vertical caving activity.
  • Identify an appropriate activity site according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather information that may impact on the activity plan.
  • Select and fit personal and safety equipment for the activity.
  • Identify potential hazards and risks associated with free climbing.
  • Develop procedures to minimise risks and protect the safety of the free climber.
  • Establish a suitable communication system to use while free climbing.
       
Element: Free climb in a cave.
  • Apply techniques to free climb a vertical pitch.
  • Negotiate pitch hazards and obstacles safely while maintaining communication with spotter or belayer, as required.
  • Apply procedures to minimise impact on the caving environment.
       
Element: Apply advanced climbing techniques.
  • Demonstrate the safe and efficient use of climbing aids.
  • Identify advanced techniques in vertical caving used for exploration.
  • Demonstrate vertical climbing technique appropriate to the situation.
       
Element: Evaluate activity.
  • Evaluate relevant aspects of the vertical caving activity.
  • Identify improvements for future free climbing experiences in a cave.
       


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 process to plan equipment requirements appropriate for the conditions and duration of the caving activity and arranges suitable communication systems with spotters or belayers

negotiates obstacles and hazards while free climbing a vertical caving pitch, and adapts to problems or issues that may arise

applies advanced techniques used for exploration in vertical caving, including the use of climbing aids to assist climb

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in vertical caving activities in caving environments that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable natural cave site for the conduct of vertical caving

vertical caving, safety and rescue and communication 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 enable safe conduct of all vertical caving activities

observation of safe participation and demonstration of free climbing skills

observation of dealing with vertical caving hazards and obstacles

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

problem-solving skills to:

identify and negotiate pitch hazards and obstacles while free climbing

determine when to use climbing aids

planning and organising skills to:

identify a suitable vertical caving pitch

select equipment for the activity

communication skills to inform progress with spotter or belayer throughout free climbing

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 safe conduct of all activities

advanced techniques used for exploration in vertical caves

hazards, obstacles and risks that may be experienced while free climbing on a vertical caving pitch

climbing aids and equipment used for spotting and belaying a free climber on a vertical caving pitch and methods of protecting a free climber to enable safe conduct of activities

communication systems used between free climbers and spotters or belayers

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

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

safety and emergency procedures relevant to the location and activity 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.

Contextual issues may include:

abilities

group size

other users

pitch height

environmental impact

soundness of surface

access and egress

weather conditions

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, maintenance and storage of equipment

risk management

communication protocols

minimal impact environmental and caving codes

Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines

code of ethics.

Relevant sources may include:

bureau of meteorology

media

national parks and wildlife centres

police.

Weather information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

rainfall and flooding

weather warnings.

Equipment may include:

vertical caving equipment

safety, first aid and rescue equipment

communication equipment.

Hazards may include:

rock fall

flowing water

abrasion points

tangled rope

loose clothing and hair

jewellery

strong cave breezes.

Safety may include:

personal safety checks

spotting by other party members

top rope belay for longer and exposed pitches.

Techniques may include:

climbing cracks

chimneying

bridging

the use of layback moves

mantle shelving.

Climbing aids may include:

handlines or etriers

traverse lines

short lengths of caving ladder.

Advanced techniques may include:

lead climbing

aid climbing

scaling poles

rope traverses.

Relevant aspects may include:

hazard and risk identification

free climbing skills and advanced techniques

use of climbing aids.

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 an appropriate activity site according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather information that may impact on the activity plan. 
Select and fit personal and safety equipment for the activity. 
Identify potential hazards and risks associated with free climbing. 
Develop procedures to minimise risks and protect the safety of the free climber. 
Establish a suitable communication system to use while free climbing. 
Apply techniques to free climb a vertical pitch. 
Negotiate pitch hazards and obstacles safely while maintaining communication with spotter or belayer, as required. 
Apply procedures to minimise impact on the caving environment. 
Demonstrate the safe and efficient use of climbing aids. 
Identify advanced techniques in vertical caving used for exploration. 
Demonstrate vertical climbing technique appropriate to the situation. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of the vertical caving activity. 
Identify improvements for future free climbing experiences in a cave. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOCVE411A - Apply vertical caving skills
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

SISOCVE411A - Apply vertical caving skills

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: