Assessor Resource

SISOCVE414A
Guide vertical multi pitch caving trips

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to caving adventure guides who are responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating vertical multi pitch caving trips for groups of participants.

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

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants on vertical multi pitch caving trips. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to safely guide groups on caving trips in caves with multi pitch vertical sections.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

SISOCVE409A Rig ladders in complex situations

SISOCVE410A Rig a complex pitch using caving specific techniques

SISOCVE411A Apply vertical caving skills

SISOCVE412A Rig multi pitches in complex vertical cave systems

SISOCVE413A Navigate in untrogged caves

SISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescues

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 multi 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 multi pitch caving trips in locations that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

suitable vertical multi 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 to plan, guide and document caving trips for a variety of participants.

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

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with participants to plan a vertical multi pitch caving trip that meets their needs

convey information about the safety and logistical aspects of the trip

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problem-solving skills to:

plan a suitable 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 multi pitch 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 multi pitch caving, and factors affecting appropriate selection, use, care and maintenance to enable safe conduct of all activities

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

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

vertical multi 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 and instructor or other participant belays

advantages and disadvantages of various knots in a variety of situations

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

first aid, emergency and rescue procedures relevant to the cave to ensure safety of self and others.

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 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.

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

assessment procedures

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

Cave Diving Code of Practice.

Trip objectives may include:

exploration

meeting people

surveying

interpretation

team building

fitness targets

adventure and recreation.

Belay systems may include:

top belay

bottom belay

bottom brake

self belay.

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

internet.

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

range of foods.

Contextual issues may include:

season and weather

cave features

participant characteristics

number of staff

length, depth and complexity of cave

safety requirements.

Equipment may include:

caving equipment

safety equipment

rescue equipment

artificial protection - if applicable

navigation equipment

communication equipment.

Relevant information may include:

safety and minimal impact procedures

logistical details

risk and hazard prevention and management

caving techniques

abseiling and belaying techniques

responsible and safe behaviour.

Safety procedures may include:

symptoms, treatment and prevention of common caving incidents or risks

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.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Conduct relevant assessments to determine the condition of participants. 
Develop a trip plan according to participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select an appropriate cave for the trip according to participant's abilities, trip objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Determine most appropriate belay system according to participant's abilities and conditions at the site. 
Identify hazards associated with vertical caving and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants. 
Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather information to determine trip plan. 
Determine food and water requirements and contextual issues of the trip. 
Obtain permits or permission for access where required, and inform appropriate authorities before commencing the caving trip. 
Select caving equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check serviceability. 
Assess equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort. 
Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the cave. 
Communicate instructions and relevant information about the vertical caving trip in a manner suitable to the participants. 
Outline logistical details, minimal impact and safety procedures for the trip. 
Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use throughout caving trip. 
Demonstrate abseiling and or laddering and belaying techniques. 
Outline procedures for inversion and entrapment. 
Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip. 
Evaluate caving conditions and provide direction and advice to group during the trip. 
Establish safe areas and safety lines where necessary. 
Establish anchors, abseiling ropes or caving ladders and belay ropes, if applicable, ensuring ropes or ladders are positioned correctly for the proposed descent or ascent. 
Demonstrate vertical multi pitch caving techniques, where required, to negotiate features of cave. 
Monitor individual and group progress, including abseiling or laddering and belaying techniques, and provide appropriate feedback throughout. 
Identify potential hazards and determine how they can be overcome or avoided. 
Implement appropriate modifications to trip in regard to all variable factors that are monitored. 
Notify relevant authorities of trip completion. 
Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of caving trip. 
Identify potential areas of improvement for future vertical caving trips. 
Review own performance and identify potential improvements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOCVE414A - Guide vertical multi pitch caving trips
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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOCVE414A - Guide vertical multi pitch caving trips

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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