Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare for the climb.
- Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for the climb and conditions.
- Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.
- Confirm protocols for communications between climber and belayer.
- Interpret route description; identify position of natural features, the climb route and contingencies.
- Determine need for artificial protection during ascent; select and rack for accessibility during climb.
- Attach and adjust belay equipment to self and tie knots suitable for the established belay system.
- Complete equipment safety checks prior to climbing or belaying.
- Climb multi pitch routes.
- Use safety procedures at bottom, top of and throughout climbs to minimise risk to self and others present.
- Maintain balance and use appropriate posture and climbing techniques to link a series of controlled moves to enable progress.
- Locate and utilise rest positions to reduce fatigue.
- Safely approach, avoid or negotiate hazards to ascend in a controlled manner.
- Maintain effective communication with belayer throughout climb.
- Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the surface during climb.
- Ascend multi pitch routes as a lead climber.
- Evaluate potential direction of falls, magnitude of force and second climber’s ability.
- Select suitable type and set anchors and belay system safely and efficiently throughout climb.
- Place protection periodically during climb to reduce fall distance.
- Use techniques to minimise rope drag, displacement of artificial protection and injury in the event of a fall.
- Monitor and maintain the safeguard system continuously.
- Retreat from pitches when climber safety is compromised.
- Select solid and secure anchors at top of pitch, or place artificial protection.
- Establish belay system at top of pitch to maximise climber and belayer safety.
- Ascend multi pitch routes as a second climber.
- Change over at belay stations.
- Belay climbers.
- 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 climber movement is not unduly restricted.
- Monitor climber progress constantly, and maintain clear communication with climber.
- Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to belaying device and situation.
- Safely and efficiently secure climber, when compromised, using tie off techniques.