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

SISOVTR301A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform vertical rescues

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOVTR301A - Perform vertical rescues
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use single rope techniques and mechanical advantage systems to perform self-rescues and the rescues of others in uncomplicated single pitch vertical contexts. It does not include the selection or assessment of the anchor. 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 outdoor guides in a range of controlled activity-specific contexts in the fields of roping. 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: Prepare for vertical rescue.
  • Select equipment and resources to ascend and descend a rope pitch.
  • Rig a rope to minimise the effects of rope stretch and significant rub points and to allow for efficient ascent and descent.
  • Establish personal safety systems and use equipment in a safe manner according to the nature of the rescue, manufacturer's specifications, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Identify immediate hazards and assess risks to self and others.
       
Element: Ascend and descend rope pitch.
  • Ascend a fixed rope in a time efficient manner, demonstrating the ability to tune the single rope technique rig according to rescue requirements and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Descend a fixed rope, using appropriate technique according to the situation requirements.
  • Maintain personal safety while performing changeovers from ascending to descending and descending to ascending.
       
Element: Perform self rescues.
  • Assess the situation and identify suitable obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • Carry out self rescue and negotiate simple obstacles while maintaining personal safety according to organisational policies and procedures.
       
Element: Use mechanical advantage systems.
  • Identify contexts requiring the use of mechanical advantage systems.
  • Determine the type of system required according to contextual issues.
  • Establish operational systems to raise and lower a person or equipment, ensuring the safety of operators, rescuee and others.
  • Use system equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations and organisational policies and procedures, to ensure that design limits are not exceeded.
       
Element: Undertake vertical rescues.
  • Identify an appropriate rescue method with relevant techniques to assist abseiler according to rescue circumstances.
  • Demonstrate an escape from a belay.
  • Establish rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their roles.
  • Construct and use an improvised harness in a rescue situation.
  • Operate a rescue system, demonstrating lowering and raising procedures to recover a conscious person in a single pitch situation, with assistance.
       
Element: Conclude rescue operations.
  • Check and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines.
  • Evaluate rescue activity and identify improvements for future vertical rescues.
       


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 rescue equipment according to rescue circumstances and rigs ropes to allow for safe ascents and descents

ascends and descends ropes in a safe and efficient manner and identifies and negotiates hazards, obstacles and risks to self and others

performs self-rescue in routine activity-specific situations while maintaining personal safety

uses mechanical advantage systems to raise and lower a conscious person and or equipment in a controlled manner with assistance from others where required, according to contextual issues.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple vertical rescue activities in single pitch contexts to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable single pitch, above or below ground, in activity specific contexts such as abseiling, canyoning, caving and or climbing

personnel for team based rescues

rescue, safety, roping and activity-specific equipment according to rescue circumstances.

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 equipment and rigging ropes for safe ascents and descents

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of single pitch vertical rescue procedures and potential hazards, obstacles and risks

observation of performing safe and efficient self rescues and rescues of others using mechanical advantage systems

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:

Activity-specific units from the Fields of roping such as abseiling, canyoning, caving, climbing.

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:

determine the most appropriate rescue method to use according to the situation

anticipate and mitigate hazards, obstacles and risks

establish rescue ropes that allow for efficient ascent and descent

communication skills to:

inform progress

interact with other personnel and rescuee throughout the rescue process

teamwork skills to support other personnel in the rescue operation, including lowering and raising procedures to recover a conscious person in a single pitch situation

methods of ascending and descending a fixed rope and the ability to change over

planning and organising skills to select relevant equipment and resources

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

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of vertical rescue activities

hazards, obstacles and risks associated with vertical rescues to minimise risk to those involved

rigging of rescue ropes to minimise the effects of rope stretch and significant rub points and to allow for efficient ascents and descents

equipment and resource types, characteristics and technology to enable appropriate selection and use of equipment

principles and techniques for using belay systems and devices, anchors, knots and ropes

principles of mechanical advantage systems and contexts in which they are used

methods of removing rescuee or equipment from vertical single pitch, including lowering and raising procedures

safety systems and emergency procedures relevant to the location and situation to ensure safety of self and other personnel.

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.

Equipment may include:

Prusik cords

foot loops

tape

mechanical ascenders

descending devices

karabiners

maillon rapids

belay devices

rope

helmet

harness

rescue pulleys

knife

slings

first aid equipment

personal protective equipment.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

communication protocols

access to medical personnel

removal of casualties

minimal impact codes

code of ethics.

Rig may include:

natural anchors

fixed anchors.

Effects of rope stretch may include:

abrasions

rope bounce

undue stress on the anchor system.

Significant rub points may include:

at the pitch head

large protrusions

change in slope of the pitch

change in the direction of the pitch.

Personal safety systems may include:

belays

self belays.

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:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost part or party member

equipment failure.

Tune may include:

change cord length

change types of ascenders and descenders

change type of prusiking action used.

Single rope technique rig may include:

cows tails

harnesses

safety cords

ascenders

descenders

foot loops.

Obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures may include:

by-passing obstacle

raising body weight

changeovers to another system while suspended on a rope.

Simple obstacles may include:

knots

rope pads and protectors

traverses

other pitch users.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

trip distance and duration

group activities

group size.

Mechanical advantage systems may include:

simple pulley systems with one moving pulley

compound pulley systems with more than one moving pulley

assisted or unassisted hoist by the participant.

Harness may include:

sit

chest.

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 equipment and resources to ascend and descend a rope pitch. 
Rig a rope to minimise the effects of rope stretch and significant rub points and to allow for efficient ascent and descent. 
Establish personal safety systems and use equipment in a safe manner according to the nature of the rescue, manufacturer's specifications, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify immediate hazards and assess risks to self and others. 
Ascend a fixed rope in a time efficient manner, demonstrating the ability to tune the single rope technique rig according to rescue requirements and organisational policies and procedures. 
Descend a fixed rope, using appropriate technique according to the situation requirements. 
Maintain personal safety while performing changeovers from ascending to descending and descending to ascending. 
Assess the situation and identify suitable obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Carry out self rescue and negotiate simple obstacles while maintaining personal safety according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify contexts requiring the use of mechanical advantage systems. 
Determine the type of system required according to contextual issues. 
Establish operational systems to raise and lower a person or equipment, ensuring the safety of operators, rescuee and others. 
Use system equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations and organisational policies and procedures, to ensure that design limits are not exceeded. 
Identify an appropriate rescue method with relevant techniques to assist abseiler according to rescue circumstances. 
Demonstrate an escape from a belay. 
Establish rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their roles. 
Construct and use an improvised harness in a rescue situation. 
Operate a rescue system, demonstrating lowering and raising procedures to recover a conscious person in a single pitch situation, with assistance. 
Check and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines. 
Evaluate rescue activity and identify improvements for future vertical rescues. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOVTR301A - Perform vertical rescues
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

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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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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOVTR301A - Perform vertical rescues

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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