This unit applies to caving guides who are responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating vertical single pitch caving trips in controlled environments for groups of participants.

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

SISOCVE302A Apply single pitch abseiling skills in caves

SISOCVE303A Rig a ladder pitch

SISOCVE304A Apply laddering skills

SISOCVE305A Apply caving specific single rope techniques

SISOCVE306A Rig ropes and establish belays in caves

SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescue

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan vertical single pitch caving trip.

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

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

1.3. Select an appropriate cave for the trip according to participant's abilities, trip objectives and organisational policies and procedures.

1.4. Determine most appropriate belay system according to participant's abilities and conditions at the site.

1.5. Identify hazards associated with vertical caving and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.

1.6. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather information to determine trip plan.

1.7. Determine food and water requirements according to contextual issues of the trip.

1.8. Obtain permits or permission for access where required, and inform appropriate authorities before commencing the caving trip.

2. Select equipment for the group.

2.1. Select caving equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check serviceability.

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

2.3. Check safety and rescue equipment for suitability to the cave.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the vertical caving trip in a manner suitable to the participants.

3.2. Outline logistical details, minimal impact procedures and safety procedures for the trip.

3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use throughout caving trip.

3.4. Demonstrate correct abseiling and or laddering, belaying and back-up belaying techniques.

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

4. Lead vertical single pitch caving trip.

4.1. Evaluate caving conditions and provide direction and advice to group during the trip.

4.2. Establish anchors, abseil ropes or caving ladders, and or belay ropes if applicable, ensuring ropes or ladders are positioned correctly for the proposed descent or ascent.

4.3. Demonstrate vertical single pitch caving techniques, where required, to negotiate features of cave.

4.4. Monitor individual and group progress, including abseiling or laddering, belaying and or back-up belaying techniques, and provide feedback throughout.

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

4.6. Implement modifications to trip in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.

5. Complete post-trip responsibilities.

5.1. Notify relevant authorities of trip completion.

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

5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of caving trip.

5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future vertical caving trips.

5.5. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan a vertical single pitch caving trip that meet their needs

convey information about the safety, minimal impact and logistical aspects of the trip

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan a vertical caving trip according to participant's needs and abilities

determine most appropriate belay system for the situation

make decisions about potential hazards that may affect trip

modify aspects of trip according to all variable factors and non-routine situations

planning and organising skills to:

source, allocate and coordinate equipment and a suitable cave site

organise participants into manageable groups for vertical caving

language and literacy skills to:

produce a plan for the caving trip

complete post trip participant and self evaluations

first aid, rescue and emergency response skills appropriate to the cave to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all activities

site specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential hazards and any special restrictions applying to the cave

equipment, clothing and footwear types, characteristics and technology used for vertical single pitch caving, and factors affecting appropriate selection, use and maintenance

hazards and risks that may be experienced in vertical single pitch caves and how to negotiate these

vertical caving techniques and common communication systems used when caving, to reduce risk

vertical single pitch caving environments, including features, hazards, risks and possible conditions to adequately prepare group

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

principles and types of belay systems and devices, including top and bottom belays, and self belays

advantages and disadvantages of various knots in a variety of situations

weather information to ascertain possible conditions and their effect on the trip

food and hydration considerations to maintain health and energy during the caving trip

first aid, emergency and rescue procedures relevant to the cave 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:

plans within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner

applies contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during vertical single pitch caving trips

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of groups on vertical single pitch caving trips of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

suitable vertical single pitch caving sites to guide participants

participants to take part in caving trips

caving, abseiling, belaying, safety, first aid, rescue, navigation and communication equipment

resources and information regarding participants and cave site.

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 planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge and application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all caving activities throughout trip

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

review of caving trip plans

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:

SISXCAI306A Facilitate a group.

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 and experience of participants may include:

previous experience

physical capabilities

age

injuries and illnesses.

Plan may include:

aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location, equipment and resources

guide and participant ratios

safety, minimal impact and emergency requirements

location and route maps.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

cave access and permit requirements

working with children

equal opportunity

privacy

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use and maintenance of equipment

communication protocols

time and budget constraints

confidentiality of participant information

code of ethics

Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines:

Cave Safety Guidelines

Code of Ethics and Conservation

Minimal Impact Caving Code

Trip objectives may include:

exploration

surveying

interpretation

scientific study

meeting people

team building

fitness targets

adventure and recreation.

Belay system may include:

top belay

self belay

bottom belay

bottom brake.

Hazards may include:

environmental hazards

set-up hazards

group management hazards

caver hazards

dangerous fauna and flora.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

injuries and illnesses

exhaustion

dehydration

phobias

stings or bites

equipment failure.

Relevant sources may include:

bureau of meteorology

media

national parks and wildlife centres

police.

Weather information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings.

Food and water requirements may include:

menu planning and preparation, using foods suitable for the cave environment

range of foods.

Contextual issues may include:

season and weather

cave features

participant characteristics

number of staff

length and depth of cave

safety requirements.

Equipment may include:

caving equipment

safety equipment

rescue equipment

artificial protection

navigation equipment

communication equipment.

Relevant information may include:

safety procedures

logistical details

risk and hazard prevention and management

caving techniques

minimal impact procedures

abseiling and belaying techniques

responsible and safe behaviour.

Safety procedures may include:

personal safety checks

safe areas and or boundaries

contingency and risk management plan.

Variable factors may include:

change of weather

equipment failure

cave conditions.

Relevant aspects may include:

use of equipment

caving, abseiling and belaying skills

activity organisation and conduct

communication and feedback

demonstration of caving, abseiling and belaying techniques

safety practices.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.