This unit applies to those working as caving guides or instructors either autonomously or as part of a team in familiar and unfamiliar situations within a range of natural cave locations with simple obstacles and vertical single pitches.

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

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Select and fit equipment.

1.1. Select equipment and check working order according to organisational policies and procedures and contextual issues.

1.2. Fit and adjust equipment to ensure comfort and safety.

2. Ascend and descend a pitch using single rope techniques.

2.1. Establish personal safety systems according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.2. Ascend a fixed rope in a safe and time efficient manner.

2.3. Demonstrate tuning of a single rope technique rig.

2.4. Identify options for where changeovers can be performed safely and efficiently.

2.5. Assess the situation and identify suitable obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures.

2.6. Negotiate simple obstacles using single rope techniques and procedures while maintaining personal safety and minimal environmental impact.

2.7. Demonstrate use of ascending and descending equipment using both a re-direction and a re-belay.

3. Apply unassisted rescue techniques.

3.1. Identify potential rescue situations and scenarios.

3.2. Apply techniques to safely rescue self or another party member from the pitch.

4. Evaluate activity.

4.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of the activity.

4.2. Identify improvements for future caving activities requiring the use of single rope techniques.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to:

negotiate obstacles and hazards

identify and solve rigging problems

apply single rope techniques and unassisted rescues

planning and organising skills to:

select, fit and use equipment

perform safety checks

identify where efficient changeovers may be performed

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 activities

equipment types, characteristics and technology used for caving specific single rope techniques, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting selection, use, care and maintenance of equipment

single rope techniques and procedures used in caves to safely ascend and descend a single vertical pitch

obstacles and rigging problems that may be encountered while applying single rope techniques in a cave, and methods of negotiating these

unassisted rescue techniques to remove self or another party member from the pitch

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

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:

selects, fits and checks equipment before participating in the activity

applies knowledge of single rope techniques and safety practices to use a range of ascending and descending devices and single rope technique rigs

uses single rope techniques to deal with a range of rescue situations, obstacles and rigging problems in routine and non-routine caving situations to ensure safety of self and other participants

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in ascending, descending and unassisted rescue activities in caving environments that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable natural cave site with simple obstacles and vertical pitches for ascending and descending on belay

ascending, descending and belaying equipment, protective clothing, and safety, rescue and first aid 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 selecting and checking equipment prior to use

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

observation of safe participation and demonstration of ascending, descending and rescuing on a single rope

observation of negotiating obstacles and rigging problems

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

SISOCVE302A Apply single pitch abseiling skills in caves.

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.

Equipment may include:

Prussik cords

foot loops

tape

mechanical ascenders

descending devices

karabiners

maillon rapids

rope

belay devices

helmets

harnesses

gloves

protective clothing

safety, rescue and first aid equipment.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

communication protocols

minimal impact environmental and caving codes

Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines

code of ethics.

Personal safety may include:

belays

self belays.

Tuning may include:

changing cord length

changing types of ascenders and descenders

changing the type of prusiking action used.

Rig may include:

cows tails

harnesses

safety cords

prussiks

mechanical ascenders

descenders

foot loops

chest harness.

Procedures may include:

bypassing obstacles

raising body weight

changeovers to another system while suspended on a rope.

Obstacles may include:

knots

rope pads and protectors

traverses

othercavers on pitch.

Rescue situations may include:

inverting

jamming

gear failure

exhausted and or injured caver.

Relevant aspects may include:

selection of equipment

single rope techniques to ascend and descend

changeovers

negotiation of obstacles and rigging problems

unassisted rescues.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.