This unit applies to those working autonomously as challenge ropes conductors who assist in the conduct of high rope sessions at sites where they are not personally responsible for the overall maintenance. This may include those working independently only where there are clearly defined operating procedures for the activity involving known routines, methods and procedures, and where assistance is readily available should a non-routine situation arise.

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

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for high ropes session.

1.1. Identify different types and uses of challenge ropes courses.

1.2. Select appropriate high rope course according to participant's needs and characteristics and the session's aims and objectives.

1.3. Develop a plan according to relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures and participant's needs.

1.4. Identify potential hazards associated with high ropes session and take measures to minimise risks.

1.5. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use during the session.

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

2. Set up activity.

2.1. Select and fit harness according to situation and manufacturer's recommendations.

2.2. Identify safe attachment points throughout the course and or elements for the attachment of belays and safety lines.

2.3. Set up elements requiring additional equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.4. Establish dynamic belay systems where required.

2.5. Tie knots according to the situation.

2.6. Select a belay device that is suitable for the situation and the belayer's ability.

3. Outline belay methods.

3.1. Instruct and demonstrate correct personal equipment fitting and use.

3.2. Explain essential components of correct belay technique.

3.3. Verify participant understanding of belay technique and safety procedures.

3.4. Supervise participants' practice of belay techniques in a low risk situation.

3.5. Provide feedback on correct technique, to ensure safety of high ropes course participant and belayer.

3.6. Encourage communication between belayer and ropes course participant.

3.7. Establish buddy systems to provide support.

4. Conduct pre-activity inspection.

4.1. Check site and immediate area according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.2. Inspect individual elements and perform maintenance tasks according to own ability and responsibility.

4.3. Refer maintenance tasks beyond own ability and responsibility to relevant industry specialists.

4.4. Check participant's clothing and footwear for suitability prior to participation.

4.5. Perform pre-activity check of equipment to ensure that it is in good working order.

5. Conduct high ropes course activities.

5.1. Identify potential hazards and risks to both ropes course participants and belayers associated with each element.

5.2. Adjust belay system, where applicable, to ensure the safety of the belayer in the event of a fall.

5.3. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.

5.4. Implement appropriate modifications to activities in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.

6. Perform rescue of high ropes course participant.

6.1. Determine the advantages and disadvantages of possible rescue strategies for individual situations.

6.2. Identify situations requiring direct assistance, and apply correct approach procedures for the particular situation.

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

6.4. Demonstrate an escape from a belay.

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

6.6. Operate a rescue system, demonstrating lowering procedures to recover a conscious person from a high ropes element with assistance from rescuee.

7. Conclude session.

7.1. Debrief the activity according to activity aims, objectives and own skills and abilities.

7.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of the session and identify potential areas of improvement for future sessions.

7.3. Dismantle, inspect and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

7.4. Prepare reports on the use of the course, and suggested maintenance and modifications, where applicable.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan high ropes sessions that meet their needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the sessions

outline belay and rescue techniques

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan a suitable session according to participant's needs and abilities

make decisions regarding potential hazards and impact of weather conditions

respond appropriately to non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate suitable high ropes course and additional equipment for the participants

conduct relevant safety checks and inspection of course before use

organise participants into manageable groups for activities

observe and monitor participants and belayers to ensure safety

language and literacy skills to:

produce plans

complete post-session participant and self evaluations

prepare reports detailing the use of the course and required maintenance

personal high ropes and belaying skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain techniques to participants

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

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe and non-discriminatory conduct throughout high ropes session

site and course specific information to enable safe and effective planning, minimal environmental impact, and management of potential hazards, risks and any special restrictions applying to the site

course and equipment characteristics, function and operation, and factors affecting selection, use and maintenance

clothing and footwear requirements for safe conduct and participation in high ropes session

methods of moving through a high ropes course and common communication systems used between participants to reduce risk

principles of belay systems and devices to ensure safety throughout high ropes session

rescue techniques used in various high ropes situations

knots and their limitations in different circumstances

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

emergency and safety procedures to negotiate potential hazards and risks relevant to the course to ensure safety of self and participants.

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:

plans within activity constraints and selects appropriate high ropes course suitable to participant's needs and characteristics

conducts thorough pre-activity inspections of course and individual elements and carries out appropriate maintenance, according to level of responsibility, and prepares reports accordingly

outlines and supervises belay and rescue techniques and determines their suitability to the course, elements and individual needs

applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of hazards and risks that commonly arise during challenge ropes sessions

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure conduct of multiple of high ropes activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must ensure access to:

a suitable high ropes course with a minimum of five elements, including a variety of standard high ropes course elements that require belaying

a group of participants to take part in the high ropes session

resources and information regarding participants and course to accurately plan, lead and document activities for a variety of participants

high ropes equipment, such as helmets, harness, karabiners, belay ropes, belay devices, static belay tapes or ropes and ladders.

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 adequate pre-activity checks of high ropes course to ensure it is undamaged and free from hazards

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

observation of demonstrating high ropes techniques, including belaying and rescuing and dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure

review of session plan and reports on course use and maintenance

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

Guidance information for assessment

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.

Challenge ropes courses may include:

high elements

low elements

linked elements

independent elements.

Participant's needs and characteristics may include:

age

cultural factors

situational factors

previous experience

injuries and illnesses

physical

emotional

psychological.

Aims and objectives may include:

developing high rope skills

education

development

therapy

fitness targets

recreation.

Plan may include:

session's aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location or course site

set up requirements

coach or staff and participant ratios

equipment and resources

weather details

safety requirements.

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

time and budget constraints

use and maintenance of course and equipment

communication protocols

confidentiality of participant information

operational procedures for specific high ropes course

ratios

code of ethics.

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 party or party member

equipment and course failure.

Communication system may include:

verbal

radio

hande signals

whistles.

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

event warnings

river level

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Harness may include:

thigh loop sit harness

improvised harness

chest harness

full body harness.

Additional equipment may include:

ladders

hand ropes

swing ropes

detachable elements

pulleys

eye bolts

swaging devices

wire rope grips

shackles

thimbles

rigging screws

turnbuckles

staples

camming devices

karabiners.

Knots may include:

end of rope knots

friction knots

joining knots

tape knot.

Belay device may include:

auto locking devices

plate devices

tubular devices.

Equipment may include:

helmets

harness

karabiners

belay ropes and devices

static belay tapes or ropes

ladders.

Maintenance tasks may include:

removal of hazards:

fallen branches

loose rocks

spider webs.

Belay systems may include:

static belay

dynamic belay.

Participant's performance may include:

use of appropriate communication system

course participation

belaying techniques

rescue techniques

safety precautions

attitude

negotiation of hazards

use of equipment.

Variable factors may include:

change of weather

rope course and or equipment failure

participant's needs

conditions.

Rescue strategies may include:

indirect assistance of rescuee through verbal direction

direct assistance of rescuee to recover and continue elements

direct assistance of rescuee to lower from course to ground.

Approach procedures may include:

via course from start or finish of course

from mid-course access point and via elements

ascending ladder to element

ascending rope to element.

Resources may include:

ladder

rescue rope

pulley

Prusik loops

pliers

knife.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

Challenge ropes

This unit contains employability skills.