SISOCAY302A
Apply vertical canyoning skills

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to undertake vertical canyoning activities. This unit relates to independent participation as part of a canyoning party. The canyon should have a gentle to moderate horizontal gradient with intermittent vertical pitch or pitches; it may be dry or wet, including sections of swimming or liloing and may have terrain obstacles and or hydrological formations.

Application

This unit applies to those working as canyoning guides or assistant guides in a range of controlled environments and locations with a variety of terrain obstacles, hazards and conditions within the context of the region.

This may also apply to canyoning leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers, volunteer groups, not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.


Prerequisites

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Plan for the canyoning activity.

1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and the duration of the activity.

1.2. Identify an appropriate activity site according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.3. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.

1.4. Select personal clothing according to design and or construction features appropriate for the activity.

2. Select and utilise canyoning equipment.

2.1. Select and use equipment in a safe and efficient manner after consideration of contextual issues.

2.2. Fit and adjust equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.3. Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks prior to commencing canyoning and or belaying.

2.4. Select and attach descending device to the rope and tie knots suitable to the belay system being used.

2.5. Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of descent site to minimise risk.

3. Travel through a canyon.

3.1. Survey the route through the canyon to identify hazards and obstacles, assess risk, and select a safe route according to conditions and group ability.

3.2. Identify features of hydrological formations that are hazardous according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

3.3. Apply correct body position in moving water to minimise the potential for foot entrapment where relevant.

3.4. Apply navigation skills appropriate to the chosen route.

3.5. Apply wading and or swimming techniques to negotiate deep rock pools where required.

3.6. Remove and handle loaded backpacks to enable safe passage through the canyon where required.

4. Negotiate vertical pitches.

4.1. Identify specific considerations and risks associated with the selection of equipment and the rigging of abseil anchors and systems.

4.2. Descend in a controlled and safe manner according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.3. Demonstrate correct posture and technique while abseiling using single and double rope taking into account pitch variations.

4.4. Identify and apply techniques that minimise damage to the environment while abseiling.

4.5. Respond to emergency situations according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.6. Demonstrate rope retrieval skills.

5. Apply belaying skills.

5.1. Establish belaying position by moving body in relation to belay device that enables effective use of belay system.

5.2. Confirm attachment of belayer to anchor to minimise movement during a fall.

5.3. Demonstrate a safe and efficient escape from belay system, and attachment of belayer to anchor to minimise movement during a fall.

5.4. Maintain rope tension to ensure fall distance is minimised while not restricting abseiler movement.

5.5. Monitor abseiler progress constantly and respond appropriately to abseiler calls.

5.6. Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to the belaying device and or situation.

5.7. Demonstrate the lowering of a conscious or unconscious canyoner in the event of an emergency.

5.8. Demonstrate attachment to alternate belay or safety system when self-belaying to maintain safety in the event of a fall.

6. Maintain canyoning equipment.

6.1. Conduct maintenance checks and repairs of canyoning equipment prior to storage.

6.2. Dry equipment prior to storage as appropriate.

6.3. Store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

7. Evaluate canyoning activity.

7.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of canyoning activity.

7.2. Evaluate own performance and identify potential improvements for future performances.

7.3. Make modifications to future canyoning activities where required in response to feedback from participants and own self reflection outcomes.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to inform progress and interact with participants while participating in activity

problem-solving skills to:

identify and negotiate obstacles and hazards

assess application of rope tension when belaying

planning and organising skills to access resources and equipment for the activity

self management skills to review and reflect on own performance

abseiling and belaying skills to apply to the canyoning activity

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 canyoning activities

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for canyoning, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment

factors affecting selection, use, care and maintenance of canyoning equipment

communication methods and calls used between abseilers and belayers to reduce risk

belay techniques and devices appropriate for activity including anchor selection and rigging of abseils

technical abseiling and belaying techniques and procedures to suit the features and conditions of the canyoning site

knots and rope handling to maintain adequate rope tension when belaying

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

hazards that may be experienced in a canyoning environment

minimal impact techniques to minimise environmental impact of canyoning activities

emergency procedures and potential hazards relevant to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

Evidence Required

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 equipment and supply requirements according to the conditions and duration of the canyoning activity

conducts pre- activity checks of the canyon site and equipment to identify potential hazards, obstacles and risks, and applies risk minimisation techniques

demonstrates canyoning techniques such as operating a belay system and handling ropes efficiently to negotiate a vertical pitch

negotiates obstacles and hazards during canyoning activities and adapts to non-routine situations

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple vertical canyoning activities, within the current or intended context of the candidate's work region to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information, such as meteorological data, to plan for the canyoning activity

a suitable outdoor environment with a canyoning site with simple obstacles and features including vertical pitches and wet sections

canyoning, abseiling and belaying, navigation, safety and first aid, communication and repair 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:

observation of the planning and review process

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all canyoning activities

observation of safe participation and demonstration of abseiling and belaying skills to participate in vertical canyoning activities

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

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Guidance information for assessment

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

SISOCAY303A Establish belays in canyons


Range Statement

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:

menu planning and preparation

range of foods.

Principles of nutrition may include:

food groups

dietary guidelines

essential nutrients

individual food requirements and allergies.

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

emergency procedures

communication protocols

use and maintenance of equipment

code of ethics.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

local knowledge

police.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts.

Equipment may include:

canyoning equipment

abseiling and belaying equipment

navigation equipment

safety and first aid equipment

communication equipment

repair equipment.

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 - connector - locked, secured and orientated

D - devices - threaded correctly and secured

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

F - friend - cross check.

Descending devices may include:

auto locking devices

circular devices

plate devices

tubular devices

improvised devices

in line devices.

Knots may include:

rethreaded figure 8

figure 8 on bight

friction hitches.

Belay system may include:

top belay

bottom belay

self belay.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

stinging trees and nettles

dense vegetation

group management hazards.

Obstacles may include:

slippery rocks

large boulders

rock pools

tunnel swims

water slides

small drops

rapids

ledges and overhangs

squeezes

traverses.

Hydrological formations may include:

stoppers

holes

strainers

undercuts

still bodies of extremely cold water.

Emergency situations may include:

injured canyoner

unconscious canyoner

'frozen' canyoner

trapped canyoner.

Belay devices may include:

plate devices

auto locking devices

tubular devices.

Maintenance checks and repairs may include:

lilo puncture repair

lilo valve repair or replacement

cleaning of rope and harnesses.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content.


Sectors

Outdoor Recreation


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.