This unit of competency involves the skills and knowledge required to safely and effectively rappel from a hovering helicopter using a personal rappel line. The unit applies to personnel required to rappel from a helicopter.

Aviation operations occur in a heavily regulated environment. This work is undertaken in accordance with rappelling policies, regulations, protocols and procedures required to safely rappel from a helicopter.

The fire sector is those sections of government departments, statutory authorities or organisations that have responsibility under jurisdictional arrangements for the delivery of firefighting and fire management services.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare operational rappel equipment

1.1

Rappel equipment is selected and prepared, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

1.2

Appropriate rappel and safety equipment is donned, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

1.3

Pre-flight checks on clothing and equipment are undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

1.4

Damage to rappel or safety equipment is reported to relevant supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal

2

Load rappel personnel and equipment into helicopter

2.1

Rappel personnel, rappel and operational equipment are weighed and recorded

2.2

Pilot is informed of equipment and personnel weights

2.3

Equipment is secured into helicopter under pilot or flight crew supervision

2.4

Seat position is assumed and seatbelt is secured

2.5

Pre-mission briefing instructions are obtained from operations officer or rappel crew leader and clarification of objectives and procedures is sought, where required

2.6

Pre-flight safety briefing is obtained from pilot or air crew

3

Prepare to rappel from hovering helicopter

3.1

Rappel rope is attached and checked, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.2

Movement to helicopter skids is undertaken, as directed, in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3

Pre-descent checks are conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

3.4

Emergency procedures are conducted, as required

3.5

Communications and emergency commands are responded to, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

4

Rappel from hovering helicopter

4.1

Departure from skids is performed, in accordance with commands and organisational procedures

4.2

Rappel rope descent is undertaken, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

4.3

Landing is conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

4.4

Rappel rope is disconnected and landing area is cleared, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

4.5

Emergency procedures are conducted, as required

4.6

Emergency commands are responded to, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

5

Retrieve rappel and firefighting equipment

5.1

Area is cleared in preparation for retrieval of rappel and firefighting equipment, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

5.2

Equipment is connected and retrieval is conducted, in accordance with organisational procedures and requirements

6

Perform maintenance on rappel equipment

6.1

Equipment is inspected and maintenance is performed, in accordance with organisational procedures and manufacturers' guidelines

6.2

Damage to fire and rappel equipment is reported to supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal

6.3

Documentation related to maintenance or damage to equipment is completed and reported, in accordance with organisational procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

rappel equipment must include

agency or organisational coveralls, protective helmet, earmuffs, chin strap and goggles

full body harness

hook knife

karabiner

organisational specific descender and safety devices

rappel gloves

static kernmantle rappel ropes

air crew must include one or more of the following

co-pilot

other member of air crew

rappel dispatcher

Fire

Fire