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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for the abseil.
   • Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for the abseil and conditions.
   • Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.
   • Confirm protocols for communications between abseiler and belayer.
   • Discuss and identify, with supervising leader, position of natural features and the abseil route.
   • Attach descending device to abseil rope and tie knots suitable for the established belay system and check with supervising leader.
   • Complete equipment safety checks prior to abseiling or belaying.
2. Abseil using single pitch descent techniques.
   • Use safety procedures at top of and throughout descent to minimise risk to self and others present.
   • Use appropriate posture and abseiling techniques to execute descents.
   • Safely approach, avoid or negotiate hazards to descend in a controlled manner.
   • Maintain effective communication with belayer throughout descent.
3. Belay abseilers under supervision.
   • Avoid or negotiate hazards and use safety procedures to minimise risk to self and others present.
   • Establish belaying position and attach self to anchor, as required, to allow effective and safe use of belay system.
   • Maintain rope tension to minimise fall distance and ensure abseiler movement is not unduly restricted.
   • Monitor abseiler progress constantly, and maintain clear communication with abseiler.
   • Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to belaying device and situation, and seek leader’s assistance to allow abseiler to continue.