Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Plan an abseiling session.

1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics .

1.2. Determine participant's current abseiling knowledge in order to determine the session's aims and objectives .

1.3. Determine an appropriate instructional plan  according to participant's needs and characteristics.

1.4. Develop an abseiling plan  according to participant's needs and characteristics, relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.5. Identify potential hazards  associated with multi pitch abseiling on artificial surfaces  and minimise risks , according to organisational policies and procedures, to ensure safety of participants.

1.6. Access relevant sources  to interpret detailed weather and environmental information  and determine contingency plans .

2. Select and organise equipment and resources.

2.1. Select and access equipment  and resources  according to contextual issues  and organisational policies and procedures, and check that it is in good working condition.

2.2. Check equipment for safety and suitability, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer's recommendations, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.

2.3. Check contents of first aid and rescue kits to ensure suitability to the location and activity.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information  about the abseiling session in a manner appropriate to the participants.

3.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.

3.3. Establish a suitable communication system  for participants to use while abseiling and belaying.

3.4. Inform participants of known and anticipated hazards, safety procedures  and appropriate behaviour.

4. Instruct an abseiling session.

4.1. Conduct introductory activities for participants, to reduce the risk of injury.

4.2. Monitor individual participant's performance  during abseiling session.

4.3. Apply clear and accurate instructional techniques  to impart activity specific knowledge , abseiling skills  and safety and rescue procedures .

4.4. Observe participants during abseiling and belaying and adjust or refine individual and or group technique as required.

4.5. Inform participants of opportunities  to further develop their abseiling skills and knowledge.

5. Complete post session responsibilities.

5.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturers specifications and recommendations.

5.2. Provide opportunities for participants to identify their personal progress and satisfaction with the session, and give feedback as required.

5.3. Receive feedback and evaluate relevant aspects  of abseiling session, and determine the level of learning achieved.

5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future abseiling instruction sessions.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• consult with participants to plan an abseiling session that meets their needs
• convey information about the safety aspects of the session
• interact with participants to create a safe and positive abseiling environment

• problem-solving skills to:

• plan a suitable abseiling session according to participant's needs and characteristics
• address participant difficulties in developing abseiling techniques
• anticipate and respond appropriately to non routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and an artificial pitch suitable for the participants
• monitor and evaluate progress
• organise participants into manageable groups for abseiling and belaying

• language and literacy skills to:

• produce abseiling and instructional plans for the abseiling session
• complete post session participant and self evaluations

• instructional techniques to suit a range of participant's needs and characteristics
• a high level of personal abseil skills, rigging skills and rescue skills to demonstrate and explain abseiling and belaying techniques to participants
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies whilst instructing abseiling on artificial surfaces.

Required knowledge 

• relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of an abseiling session
• site specific information to assist in the planning process and to enable management of potential abseiling hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the site
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for abseiling on multi pitch artificial surfaces, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment
• clothing and footwear requirements for abseiling activities to ensure comfort and safety
• care and maintenance of abseiling equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements are met
• instruction techniques and theories applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities
• abseiling techniques and common communication methods and calls used between abseilers and belayers to reduce risk during multi pitch abseiling on artificial surfaces
• belay systems, devices and anchors appropriate for multi pitch artificial surfaces
• technical abseiling knowledge, such as techniques and procedures to suit the features of the surface
• weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the session
• hazards that may be experienced in an artificial abseiling environment
• emergency procedures, potential hazards and obstacles 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:

• plans and delivers precise relevant information, explanations and demonstrations for abseiling session to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs and characteristics
• observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve abseiling performance
• modifies instructional techniques and or activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles
• receives feedback and evaluates and reflects on own instruction performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure instruction of multi pitch abseiling activities on artificial surfaces, using a variety of instructional techniques that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also include access to:

• resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, instruct and document abseiling sessions for a variety of participants
• a multi pitch artificial abseiling site suitable for the conduct of instructional sessions
• a group of participants to take part in the abseiling session
• equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, descending devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, 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:

• oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all abseiling activities during the session
• observation of safe abseiling instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics
• review of abseiling session plans
• third-party reports from a leader detailing performance.

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

• SISOABA405A Establish ropes for multi pitch abseiling on artificial surfaces.

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.

Participant's needs and characteristics  may include:

• age
• cultural factors
• fitness level and physical capabilities
• abseiling skills and knowledge
• injuries and illnesses.

Session's aims and objectives  may include:

• developing abseiling skills
• education
• development
• therapy
• fitness targets
• recreation

Instructional plan  may include:

• abseiling activities and drills
• duration of activities and drills.

Abseiling plan  may include:

• session's aims and objectives
• date, time and duration
• location or site
• instructor and participant ratios
• resources and equipment
• food and water
• weather details
• participant information
• safety requirements
• risk management plan.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• time and budget constraints
• use and maintenance of equipment
• communication protocols
• confidentiality of participant information
• instructor and participant ratios
• emergency and safety procedures
• code of ethics.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes on surfaces
• slippery surfaces
• dangerous animals and insects
• group management hazards.

Artificial surfaces  may include:

• portable or fixed walls
• fixed towers or bridges
• indoor or outdoor.

Risks  may include:

• emotional stress
• injuries
• exhaustion
• equipment misuse and failure

Relevant sources  may include:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• media
• land managers or agencies
• local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information  may include:

• satellite images
• daily and weekly forecasts
• maximum and minimum temperatures
• weather warnings
• event warnings
• synoptic charts

Contingency plans  may include:

• change in weather
• equipment failure
• unavailability of artificial pitch.
• group or individual participant issue

Equipment  may include:

• abseiling equipment:
• safety equipment:
• rescue equipment:
• artificial protection.

Resources  may include:

• food and water
• personal clothing and footwear
• teaching aids
• suitable artificial structure for instructing abseiling.

Contextual issues  may include:

• weather conditions, including times
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• group objectives
• group size.

Relevant information  may include:

• equipment requirements, selection and use
• safety procedures
• possible hazards
• abseiling and belaying techniques
• communication
• objectives
• rules and codes
• responsible and safe behaviour.

Communication system  may include:

• calls
• radio
• hand signals
• whistles.

Safety procedures  may include:

• A - anchors - secure and suitable to application
• B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations
• C - connector - locked, secured and orientated
• D - devices - threaded correctly and secured
• E - organisation specific procedures including; end or rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured.
• F - friend - cross check.

Participant's performance  may include:

• use of appropriate communication system
• abseiling technique
• belaying technique
• attitude and behaviour
• negotiation of hazards
• use of equipment.

Instructional techniques  may include:

• simple to complex
• part to whole
• chronological
• known to unknown
• D.E.D.I.C.T:

• demonstrate
• explain
• demonstrate
• instruct
• critique
• test

• E.D.I.C.T:

• explain
• demonstrate
• instruct
• critique
• test

• I.D.E.A:

• introduce
• demonstrate
• explain
• apply

Activity specific knowledge  may include:

• abseiling skills and techniques
• establishment of ropes
• minimal impact practices
• risk and hazard management
• equipment selection, use, maintenance and storage
• communication systems used in abseiling.

Abseiling skills  may include:

• abseiling and belaying techniques
• establishment of ropes for a multi pitch
• communication of progress
• negotiation of hazards and management of risks to ensure safety of self and group
• use and maintenance of equipment.

Safety and rescue procedures  may include:

• emergency response procedures
• group management in emergency situations
• emergency response equipment
• understanding of safety practices.

Opportunities  may include:

• locations suitable to skill level
• range of equipment and clothing available
• outdoor clubs or groups in the local area.

Relevant aspects  may include:

• objectives
• planning process
• activity site
• weather
• equipment selection
• clothing selection
• food selection
• instructional content
• instructional technique
• assessment technique
• group feedback
• directing techniques
• rescue techniques employed.