ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCECRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

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

1. Prepare for the ladder descent or ascent.

1.1. Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for the caving activity and conditions.

1.2. Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.

1.3. Confirm protocols for communications between climber and belayer.

1.4. Identify position of ladder in relation to natural features to account for obstacles, hazards and techniques.

1.5. Attach and adjust belay equipment to self and tie knots suitable for the established belay system.

1.6. Complete equipment safety checks prior to descent, ascent, or belaying.

2. Descend and ascend and vertical ladders in caves.

2.1. Use safety procedures at bottom, top of and throughout descents and ascents to minimise risk to self and others present.

2.2. Use appropriate posture and fluent laddering techniques to descend and ascend cave ladders.

2.3. Utilise techniques for resting on a ladder to reduce fatigue.

2.4. Safely approach, avoid or negotiate hazards to descend and ascend in a controlled manner.

2.5. Maintain effective communication with belayer throughout descents and ascents.

2.6. Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the cave environment during climbs.

3. Belay ladder climbers during descents and ascents.

3.1. Avoid or negotiate hazards and use safety procedures to minimise risk to self and others present.

3.2. Establish belaying position and attach self to anchor, as required, to allow effective and safe use of belay system.

3.3. Maintain rope tension to minimise fall distance and ensure climber movement is not unduly restricted.

3.4. Monitor climber progress constantly, and maintain clear communication with climber.

3.5. Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to belaying device and situation.

3.6. Safely and efficiently secure climber using tie off techniques; release tie off and allow climber to continue.

4. Self-belay during ladder descents and ascents.

4.1. Attach self to suitable belay device for climb with back up to maintain safety in the event of a fall.

4.2. Use appropriate posture and laddering techniques to execute self-belayed ladder descents and ascents.

4.3. Control self-belay system to execute safe and controlled ladder descents and ascents.

4.4. Utilise features of back up belay system in the event of a fall to self-arrest, self-rescue and complete climb.

Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.

SKILLS

DESCRIPTION

Reading skills to:

interpret detailed and familiar organisational safety and emergency response procedures.

Oral communications skills to:

use clear and unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communications to make intent known.

Numeracy skills to:

visually estimate angles, estimate load on ropes and ladders to determine appropriate tension for climbing and belaying.