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 abseiling activity.

1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements  according to 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 abseiler and belayer on artificial surfaces .

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

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

2. Select and utilise appropriate equipment.

2.1. Select and use equipment  in a safe and efficient manner, after consideration of contextual issues .

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

2.3. Select and attach descending device  to the rope and tie knots  suitable to the belay system  being used.

2.4. Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks  prior to commencing abseiling and or belaying.

2.5. Apply safety procedures  at top and bottom of descent site to minimise risk.

3. Demonstrate abseiling technique.

3.1. Display correct posture and technique while abseiling, using single and double rope.

3.2. Maintain effective communication between abseiler and belayer throughout the descent.

3.3. Apply safe and correct abseiling techniques .

3.4. Negotiate simple obstacles  and avoid or remove hazards to descend in a controlled manner.

3.5. Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of descent site to minimise risk.

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 a belay system, and attachment of belayer to an anchor to minimise movement during a fall.

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

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

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

4.6. Demonstrate attachment to alternate belay or safety system when self-belaying to maintain safety in the event of a fall.

4.7. Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of descent site to minimise risk.

5. Evaluate abseiling activity.

5.1. Receive feedback on performance from leader.

5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects  of abseiling and belaying.

5.3. Identify improvements for future abseiling activities.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to inform progress and interact with abseiler and or belayer
• problem-solving skills to:

• identify and negotiate obstacles and hazards when abseiling
• 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 abseiling activities
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for abseiling on artificial surfaces, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment
• care and maintenance of abseiling equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements
• abseiling techniques and common communication methods and calls used between abseilers and belayers to reduce risk during abseiling on artificial surfaces
• belay techniques and devices appropriate for single pitch surfaces
• technical abseiling knowledge, such as common techniques and procedures to suit the features of the surface
• weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity
• 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:

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure participation in abseiling and belaying activities on single pitch artificial surfaces, that are of a sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also include access to:

• resources and information regarding abseiling and belaying, to accurately plan for the activity
• a suitable artificial single pitch abseiling site with simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate abseiling skills
• other abseiling participants, to assist with belaying
• equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, descending devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners 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 or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all abseiling activities
• observation of safe participation and demonstration of abseiling and belaying skills, such as communicating with abseiler or belayer to inform of progress
• observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment misuse or change in weather or abseiler entrapment
• 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:

• SISOABA303A Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial 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:

• range of foods
• perishability
• packaging.

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
• use and maintenance of equipment
• communication protocols
• emergency procedures
• code of ethics.

Hazards  may include:

• fitting and fixtures
• surface irregularities
• dangerous animals and insects
• slippery surfaces.

Risks  may include:

• emotional risk
• injuries
• exhaustion
• equipment and misuse.

Artificial surfaces  may include:

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

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 events
• event warnings
• synoptic charts.

Communication system  may include:

• calls
• radio
• hand signals
• whistles.

Equipment  may include:

• helmets
• protective clothing
• karabiners
• harnesses
• gloves
• belay device
• descender
• rope
• first aid kit.

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- 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.

Descending device  may include:

• auto locking devices
• circular devices
• plate devices
• tubular devices
• improvised devices
• inline devices.

Knots  may include:

• rethreaded figure 8
• figure 8 on bight
• friction hitches.

Belay system  may include:

• top belay
• bottom brake
• self belay.

Abseiling techniques  may include:

• expedition abseil
• sports abseil
• forward rundowns.

Simple obstacles  may include:

• ledges
• overhangs
• squeezes

Belay device  may include:

• plate devices
• auto locking devices
• tubular devices
• figure 8
• inline device

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.

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.