This unit applies to those working as caving adventure guides, instructors or program managers. This may include those responsible for rigging complex pitches in non-routine situations.

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

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Select equipment.

1.1. Select equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.2. Select anchors appropriate for re-belays or re-directions.

1.3. Conduct safety checks of all equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Rig a complex pitch.

2.1. Identify pitch hazards and minimise or eliminate, where possible, according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.2. Rig re-belays and re-directions to minimise difficult rigging situations.

2.3. Identify places where complex rigging may be required.

2.4. Rig for complex non routine situations and solve non-routine rigging problems to enable safe ascents and descents.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to:

select equipment and anchors required to rig a complex pitch that includes re-belays and or re-directions

solve complex non-routine rigging problems

identify and eliminate or minimise pitch hazards to enable safe ascent and descents

self management skills to:

take responsibility for rigging a complex pitch within the context of a cave

conduct safety checks of equipment prior to use

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 rigging activities

natural, fixed and or artificial anchors and equipment types, characteristics and technology used for rigging complex pitches

care and maintenance of equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements, as advised by the manufacturer's specifications for equipment use

difficult rigging situations and non-routine rigging problems that may require re-belays and re-directions

emergency procedures relevant to the location and complex 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:

independently selects natural, fixed and or artificial anchors and other relevant caving and safety equipment according to the situation and conducts safety checks prior to use

identifies pitch hazards, difficult rigging conditions and complex non-routine situations to rig pitches that enable safe ascent and descent.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure rigging of a complex pitch in caving environments that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

natural cave sites suitable for the rigging of re-belays and re-directions

natural, fixed and artificial anchors to rig a complex pitch

rigging, safety, rescue and communication 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 and anchors prior to use

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

observation of safe rigging of a complex pitch using caving specific techniques, including re-belays and re-directions

observation of identifying and dealing with non-routine rigging problems, pitch hazards and difficult rigging conditions

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:

SISOCVE409A Rig ladders in complex situations.

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:

caving equipment

safety and rescue equipment

communication equipment.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

use, maintenance and storage of equipment

risk management

communication protocols

minimal impact environmental and caving codes

Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines

code of ethics.

Anchors may include:

natural

fixed

artificial.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations.

Difficult rigging situations may include:

knots in the rope

awkward traverses

poorly placed rope protectors or pads

short re-belay loops

weight of rope on the pitch

problems caused by variance in party member's body mass

poorly placed re-belays or re-directions.

Complex non-routine situations may include:

pendulum swings

rigging to prevent drowning in a waterfall or potential waterfall

traverses across a pitch to a side passage lead

awkward squeezes on a pitch

placement of bolts or other artificial aids to allow further exploration of the cave

tie-backs to previous pitches in multi pitch caves that lack solid anchors at pitch heads.

Unit sector

Outdoor Recreation

This unit contains employability skills.