Elements and Performance Criteria
- Apply aircraft safety procedures
- Dress and equipment is secured for operating in and around a helicopter
- Helicopter is approached, entered and exited in a safe manner in accordance with workplace procedures and/or flight crew instructions
- Individual seating is occupied and restraint devices are applied
- Identified hazards are communicated to rappel team members
- Flight crew instructions are followed
- Environmental conditions and alternative routes to/from helicopter are identified
- Prepare for rappelling operation
- Rappelling descent instructions are received and confirmed as required
- Workplace procedures, work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and safety control measures are applied
- Operational and rappel equipment including personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and fitted in accordance with workplace procedures
- Individual pre-flight check of rappel equipment is conducted
- Damage to operational, rappel and safety equipment is reported and remedial action is taken in accordance with workplace procedures
- Emplane and complete on-board procedures
- Aircraft is approached and emplaned in accordance with workplace procedures
- Ropes are secured to allocated rope attachment device, checked and prepared for flight
- Rappellers and operational equipment are secured prior to flight
- Flight crew orders and instructions are complied with
- Rappelling and operational equipment are monitored during flight
- Communications and directions are interpreted and relayed to rappellers
- Individual in-flight safety checks are conducted
- Rappel from helicopter
- Rappelling exit positions are adopted under supervision of flight crew or safety officer
- Positions are resumed in aircraft on abort instruction from flight crew
- Aircraft is exited on instruction of flight crew or safety officer
- Descent is undertaken in a controlled manner in accordance with workplace procedures
- Aircraft emergency and rappelling contingency procedures are implemented as required
- Landing is conducted in a controlled manner in accordance with workplace procedures
- Rappel signals are communicated to flight crew once descent is complete
- On landing, rope is disconnected and landing area is cleared in accordance with workplace procedures
- Equipment is gathered and taken to designated team assembly point
- De-service rappel equipment