SISOCLA311
Guide top rope climbing activities on artificial surfaces

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants in a top rope single pitch climbing activity on an artificial surface. This unit focuses on planning skills to make suitable arrangements to guide a group through a climbing activity.

Application

This unit applies to those working as climbing guides or assistant guides for private outdoor adventure companies in permanent or mobile facilities, or group leaders in school outdoor education programs in a range of controlled artificial conditions that have easy access to the top and bottom of the pitch. The climbing site should be free from hazards and complex set-up, and anchors should be fixed, obvious and easily accessible.

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


Prerequisites

Nil.


Elements and 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 a climbing activity.

1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the condition of participants.

1.2. Develop an activity plan, according to participant needs, requirements of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.3. Select an appropriate activity site or location according to activity objectives.

1.4. Identify hazards and risks associated with climbing on artificial surfaces and minimise to ensure personal safety of participants.

1.5. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan, where applicable.

1.6. Inform appropriate authorities before commencing the climbing activity.

2. Select and organise equipment and resources.

2.1. Select and access equipment and resources according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.

2.2. Assess equipment for serviceability, safety and suitability, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort and safety.

2.3. Establish anchors and belay system in the correct position for the activity.

2.4. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the climb.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information on the climbing activity in a manner suitable to the participants.

3.2. Demonstrate correct climbing, belaying and back-up belaying techniques.

3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while climbing and belaying.

3.4. Outline safety procedures and safe areas and/or boundaries for the activity.

3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the climb.

4. Guide a climbing activity.

4.1. Monitor climbing, belaying and back-up belaying techniques to ensure safety of participants.

4.2. Identify potential hazards and decide how they can be overcome or avoided.

4.3. Monitor individual participant performance and provide appropriate feedback.

4.4. Implement appropriate modifications to activity in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.

5. Perform rescues.

5.1. Determine the advantages and disadvantages of direct and indirect rescue strategies for individual situations.

5.2. Identify situations requiring direct assistance and apply correct approach procedures for the situation.

5.3. Select the appropriate strategy according to the degree of urgency, element features, resources, rescuee status and ability, and personal ability.

5.4. Establish a rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their role.

5.5. Operate a rescue system, demonstrating lowering procedures to recover a conscious and unconscious person from an artificial surface with assistance from others who are unskilled in rescue techniques.

5.6. Demonstrate an escape from a belay.

5.7. Construct and demonstrate the use of an improvised chest harness in a rescue situation.

6. Complete post-activity responsibilities.

6.1. Retrieve, inspect and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

6.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of climbing activity.

6.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future climbing activities.

6.4. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan a climbing activity that meets their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the activity

interact with participants to create a safe and positive climbing environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan a suitable climbing activity

make decisions affecting activity including responding appropriately to non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and artificial pitch

organise participants into manageable groups for climbing and belaying

language and literacy skills to:

produce an activity plan

complete post-activity participant and self evaluations

highly developed personal climbing skills to demonstrate and explain climbing and belaying techniques to participants and to perform rescues

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

Required knowledge

requirements of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of climbing activities

site specific information to assist in planning and enable management of potential climbing risks and hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the site

hazards and risks that may be experienced in an artificial climbing environment

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for climbing on artificial surfaces, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

clothing and footwear requirements for climbing activities to ensure comfort and safety

care and maintenance of climbing equipment, equipment log books and retirement of gear, to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements

climbing techniques and common communication methods and calls used between climbers and belayers to reduce risk during climbing on artificial surfaces

belay systems, devices and anchors appropriate for single pitch artificial surfaces

technical climbing knowledge, such as techniques and procedures to suit the features of the surface

direct and indirect rescue techniques used in various artificial surface situations

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

emergency procedures relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others.

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 ability to:

plan, guide and monitor the climbing activity of the group in a safe and professional manner

apply effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the climbing activity on artificial surfaces

encourage and respond to participant feedback and evaluate own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure that climbing activities reflect the needs of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document climbing activities for a variety of participants

an artificial climbing surface suitable for the participants

a group of participants to take part in the climbing activities

equipment such as harnesses, belay devices, ropes, and carabiners.

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 interaction with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation

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

observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure

review of climbing activity plans

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the individual.

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


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.

Condition of participants may include:

skill level

previous experience

physical capabilities

fitness level and physical capabilities

age

injuries and illnesses.

Plan may include:

activity aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location or site

guide and participant ratios

resources

equipment

food and water

weather details

participant information

safety requirements.

Relevant legislation may include:

work health and safety/occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

work health and safety/occupational health and safety

time constraints

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

confidentiality of participant information

guide and participant ratios

emergency and safety procedures

code of ethics.

Activity objectives may include:

self improvement

meeting people

fitness targets

adventure and recreation.

Hazards and risks may include:

lack of planning

equipment failure

temperature extremes

slippery or unstable terrain

dangerous animals and insects

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

group management

lack of supervision

unauthorised access.

Artificial surfaces may include:

portable or fixed walls

fixed towers

indoor or outdoor.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

outdoor surfaces:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts.

Appropriate authorities may include:

facility managers

supervisors.

Equipment may include:

ropes

harnesses

belay devices

carabiners

maillons

chalk and chalk bag

helmet

knife

rescue pulley

accessory cord

whistle.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Belay system may include:

human operated belay

team belay

floor/ground anchorage

redirects

self-locking belay devices

belay devices which require hand grip control to arrest fall

automatic mechanical belay system - self retracting lines with speed limited lowering.

Relevant information may include:

personal equipment requirements

safety procedures

route description

preventative measures for risks

possible hazards

climbing and belaying techniques

objectives

rules and codes.

Communication system may include:

calls

hand signals

whistles.

Safety procedures may include:

self checks following a well defined logical sequence

buddy system checks following a well defined logical sequence

ABCDEF Safety Check

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 - organisation specific procedures, including; end or rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured

F- friend - cross check

adherence to site rules and procedures

compliance to instructions given by supervising staff.

Participant performance may include:

use of appropriate communication system

climbing technique

attitude

negotiation of hazards

use of equipment

rig ropes and associated equipment.

Variable factors may include:

change of weather

equipment failure

participant needs

climbing conditions.

Rescue strategies may include:

direct intervention techniques:

accessing the climber via portable ladder

providing a portable ladder for use as a support tool

seizing control of belay system

changing out the belay person

removing tension/load from the climbing rope

indirect intervention techniques:

oral instructions to climber (e.g. talk them down)

provide encouragement

provide instructions as deemed necessary to bring the situation under control.

Approach procedures may include:

ascending rope

ascending ladder

work platform.

Resources may include:

portable ladder

mobile work platform

rescue rope

pulleys

Prusik loops

pliers

knife

spare carabiners.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.


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.