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 for the climbing activity.

1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements  according to principles of nutrition  and the duration of the activity.

1.2. Identify and select an appropriate activity site after consideration of relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.3. Identify associated hazards  and procedures to minimise risks  to climber and belayer on natural surfaces .

1.4. Access relevant sources  to interpret detailed weather and environmental information  to determine activity plan.

1.5. Establish a suitable communication system  to use while climbing and belaying with other participants.

1.6. Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of ascent site to minimise risk.

2. Select and utilise appropriate equipment.

2.1. Select and use equipment  according to manufacturer's specifications, after consideration of contextual issues .

2.2. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety.

2.3. Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks  prior to commencing climbing and or belaying.

2.4. Demonstrate attachment to a suitable belay system  in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations, and apply correct rope handling and knot tying  techniques.

3. Demonstrate climbing technique.

3.1. Select a suitable route to climb, inspect the position and quality of features , and interpret the route description .

3.2. Display correct posture and fluent climbing techniques  suitable to features and holds.

3.3. Maintain effective communication between climber and belayer throughout climb.

3.4. Apply climbing techniques to minimise injury in the event of a fall or rock fall.

3.5. Locate and utilise rest positions  to reduce fatigue.

3.6. Negotiate simple obstacles  and avoid or remove hazards to climb in a controlled manner.

3.7. Demonstrate suitable posture for lowering purposes.

4. Demonstrate belaying technique.

4.1. Establish belaying position by moving body in relation to belay device  that allows effective use of belay system.

4.2. Demonstrate a safe and efficient escape from belay system, and attachment of belayer to anchor to minimise movement during a fall.

4.3. Maintain rope tension to ensure fall distance is minimised whilst not restricting climber movement.

4.4. Monitor climber progress constantly and respond appropriately to climber calls.

4.5. Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to the belaying device and or situation.

5. Evaluate climbing activity.

5.1. Evaluate relevant aspects  of climbing and belaying.

5.2. Identify improvements for future climbing activities.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to inform progress and interact with climber and or belayer whilst participating in activity
• problem-solving skills to negotiate obstacles and hazards when climbing, and assess application of rope tension when belaying
• rope handling skills to maintain adequate rope tension when belaying
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge 

• relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all activities
• minimal impact climbing codes to ensure protection of the environment
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for climbing on natural surfaces, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment
• care and maintenance of climbing equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements
• climbing techniques and common communication methods and calls used between climbers and belayers to reduce risk during climbing on natural surfaces
• belay techniques and devices appropriate for single pitch surfaces
• technical climbing knowledge, such as selection and description of suitable route to take
• basic weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity
• hazards that may be experienced in a natural climbing 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:

• applies relevant processes to plan for climbing activity, and describes suitable route to take
• selects and fits equipment independently and carries out safety checks to ensure effective working order
• arranges a suitable communication system with climber, when belaying, to monitor progress
• negotiates obstacles and hazards during climbing, and adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise to ensure safety of self and other participants
• evaluates and reflects on own climbing and belaying performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple climbing and belaying activities on single pitch natural surfaces to allow the participant to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• resources and information regarding climbing and belaying, to accurately plan for the activity
• a suitable natural single pitch climbing site with simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate climbing skills
• other climbing participants, to assist with belaying
• equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, climbing shoes 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 climbing activities
• observation of safe participation and demonstration of climbing and belaying skills, such as communicating with climber or belayer to inform of progress
• observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment failure or change in weather
• 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:

• SISOCLN303A Establish belays for climbing on natural surfaces
• SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues.

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.

Food and water requirements  may include:

• perishability
• packaging
• storage.

Principles of nutrition  may include:

• food groups
• dietary guidelines.

Relevant legislation  may include:

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

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• operating procedures and company or enterprise policies
• occupational health and safety
• use and maintenance of equipment
• communication protocols
• emergency procedures
• code of ethics.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• slippery or unstable terrain
• dangerous animals and insects
• stinging trees and nettles
• dense vegetation
• group management hazards.

Risks  may include:

• falls and slips
• hypothermia
• heat exhaustion
• injuries
• exhaustion
• lost party or party member
• equipment failure.

Natural surfaces  may include:

• cliff
• boulder.

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
• river levels
• synoptic charts
• high and low tide predictions.

Communication system  may include:

• calls
• radio
• hand signals
• whistles.

Equipment  may include:

• harness
• helmet
• climbing shoes
• karabiners
• belay devices
• tapes and slings
• rope
• chalk bag and chalk.

Contextual issues  may include:

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

Safety checks  may include:

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

Belay system  may include:

• top belay
• bottom belay.

Knot tying  may include:

• figure eight
• bowline

Features  may include:

• aretes
• chimneys
• corners
• cracks
• edges
• flakes
• jugs
• overhangs
• roofs
• pinnacles
• ledges
• pockets.

Route description  may include:

• verbal
• written.

Climbing techniques  may include:

• bridging
• layaways
• side pulls
• laybacking
• pinch grips
• smearing
• underclings
• mantle - shelving
• crimping
• jamming
• chimneying
• lunging.

Rest positions  may include:

• an appropriate edge to lean against
• ledge to lean against
• no hands rest.

Simple obstacles  may include:

• ledges
• overhangs
• squeezes
• traverses
• vegetation.

Belay device  may include:

• plate device
• tube device
• auto locking device
• body belay.
• hitch such as Munter or Italian.

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.