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 where rigging ropes and establishing belays are required to accommodate different belayer and abseiler abilities.

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. Choose anchor or anchors.

1.1. Assess condition of anchors, including performance under likely load, and the stability of the surroundings.

1.2. Identify and select solid and secure anchors according to organisational policies and procedures and contextual issues.

1.3. Select anchors that minimise environmental impact according to participant's characteristics and abilities, location of the anchors, and requirements of the abseil.

1.4. Determine appropriate belay systems and back-up systems, according to the type of anchors selected and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Select and set up a belay system.

2.1. Select a belay system according to the abilities, limitations and needs of the belayer and abseiler.

2.2. Identify potential forces generated during a fall and how this may impact on selection of belay system.

2.3. Establish a belay system according to contextual issues, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2.4. Demonstrate the rigging of multiple anchors, ensuring equalisation and minimal shock loading, where applicable.

2.5. Set up a belay that maintains safety of belayer and minimises movement of the belayer in the event of a fall.

2.6. Establish a belay from which the belayer is able to escape and safely perform a rescue.

2.7. Select a belay device that is suitable for the situation and the belayer's ability, and demonstrate use according to manufacturer's specifications and organisational policies and procedures.

2.8. Check all equipment for signs of corrosion, abrasion, impact and aging and take measures to correct any deficiency.

2.9. Identify potential hazards and procedures to minimise risks to abseiler and belayer.

3. Rig rope pitches.

3.1. Identify safe access to and egress from the site according to relevant organisational policies and procedures.

3.2. Determine ascent or descent route according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.

3.3. Tie knots suitable for the type of system established and for potential retrieval or rescue situations.

3.4. Set up anchors and ropes to facilitate potential rescue.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to:

select anchors and belay systems for the context and conditions of the activity

identify and overcome hazards

asses condition of all equipment prior to use

takes steps to rectify any deficiencies

rig ropes and anchors safely

self management skills to take responsibility for rigging of ropes and anchors, and establishing belays

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 the safe conduct of all activities

equipment types, characteristics and technology used to rig ropes and establish belays in caves to enable the safe selection, use and maintenance of all required equipment

principles of anchor systems such as equally shared load, single component failure and effect, redundancy and angle of separation

principles and types of belay systems and devices, such as top and bottom belays, self belays, dynamic and static belays

advantages and disadvantages of various knots in a variety of situations

safety systems and emergency procedures relevant to the location and situation 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 and establishes solid and secure anchors after considering the factors that affect their stability

establishes a belay system at the top and bottom of cave pitches according to contextual issues and the individual situation

uses suitable belay devices and knots for different situations and determines the need for back up belay systems

establishes a self belay system where required

identifies and eliminates hazards to ensure risk minimisation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure establishment of belay systems and rigging of ropes for single pitch abseiling activities in caving environments that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

suitable natural cave sites with various qualities and fixed anchors

belay equipment and natural and fixed anchors to rig ropes and establish belays.

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 suitable anchors and belay systems according to the situation and participant's abilities

observation of rigging ropes and establishing belays within a single pitch caving context

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe and appropriate use of equipment

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.

Condition may include:

age

location

wear

decay

corrosion

weathering

environmental stress

insect damage.

Anchors may include:

natural

fixed.

Likely load may include:

group size

set up

type of use, such as abseiling and laddering

cavers ability

technique.

Stability of surroundings may include:

location

cracks

deformities

fissures

underlying structural features of natural anchors.

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.

Contextual issues may include:

belayer's and abseiler's abilities

weight ratio of abseiler to belayer

group size

other users

pitch height

environmental impact

soundness of rock

access and egress

weather conditions

Environmental impact may include:

rock dislodgement

compacting of soil

damage to flora, fauna, bird's nests, fossils and bone remains and cave formations

effect on other users of the site.

Participant may include:

experienced

inexperienced

adults

children.

Belay system may include:

at the top of a pitch

at the bottom of the pitch

dynamic and static belays

self belays.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Safety of belayer may include:

attachment to anchor or alternate safety system

positioning out of direct line of rock or equipment fall.

Belay devices may include:

plate devices

auto-locking devices

tubular devices

Prussik cord and suitable friction hitch.

Equipment may include:

ropes

tape slings

rope protectors

karabiners

maillon rapids:

belay devices

harnesses

helmets

first aid equipment.

Hazards may include:

loose rocks or gear

sharp edges

moving ropes running over stationary ropes, tape or webbing

tripping on rigging.

Risks may include:

injuries

stings or bites

equipment failure.

Knots may include:

end-of-rope knots

mid-rope-knots

rope joining knots

tape knot

friction knots.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.