Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISOCAY003 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Abseil in intermediate to advanced canyons

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOCAY003 - Abseil in intermediate to advanced canyons
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to abseil in intermediate to advanced wet or dry canyons. It also requires the ability to belay abseilers and to self-belay.This unit covers the skills required to abseil in canyon conditions featuring multiple vertical pitches of variable length.It applies to leaders, guide or instructors who use these skills when leading participants during canyoning activities. Leadership skills are provided in complementary units.This unit applies to any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Canyoning
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for the canyon abseil.
  • Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for the canyon abseil and conditions.
  • Waterproof food, clothing, equipment and resources for wet canyons.
  • Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.
  • Confirm protocols for communications between abseiler and belayer.
  • Interpret route description; identify position of natural features and the abseil route.
  • Attach descending device to abseil rope and tie knots suitable for the established belay system.
  • Complete equipment safety checks prior to abseiling or belaying.
       
Element: Abseil in canyons using multi pitch descent techniques.
  • Use safety procedures at top of and throughout all descents to minimise risk to self and others present.
  • Use appropriate posture and abseiling techniques to execute descents to each station.
  • Safely approach, avoid or negotiate hazards to descend to stations in a controlled manner.
  • Maintain effective communication with belayer throughout all descents.
  • Retrieve ropes at bottom of each pitch, as last person down.
  • Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the surface during abseil.
       
Element: Change over safely at belay stations.
  • Maintain continuous attachment to anchor points, traverse line or belay system.
  • Changeover personal equipment from one rope system to another at belay stations, tie suitable knots and handle ropes without entanglement.
  • Complete safety checks prior to loading belay system and before completing subsequent descents.
       
Element: Belay abseilers during multi pitch descents in canyons.
  • 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.
  • Safely and efficiently secure abseiler using tie off techniques; release tie off and allow abseiler to continue.
       
Element: Self-belay during multi pitch canyon descents.
  • Attach self to suitable belay device for descent with back up to maintain safety in the event of a fall.
  • Use appropriate posture and abseiling techniques to execute self-belayed descents.
  • Control self-belay system to execute safe and controlled descents.
  • Utilise features of back up belay system in the event of a fall to self-arrest, self-rescue and complete descent.
       

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.
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
Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for the canyon abseil and conditions. 
Waterproof food, clothing, equipment and resources for wet canyons. 
Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities. 
Confirm protocols for communications between abseiler and belayer. 
Interpret route description; identify position of natural features and the abseil route. 
Attach descending device to abseil rope and tie knots suitable for the established belay system. 
Complete equipment safety checks prior to abseiling or belaying. 
Use safety procedures at top of and throughout all descents to minimise risk to self and others present. 
Use appropriate posture and abseiling techniques to execute descents to each station. 
Safely approach, avoid or negotiate hazards to descend to stations in a controlled manner. 
Maintain effective communication with belayer throughout all descents. 
Retrieve ropes at bottom of each pitch, as last person down. 
Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the surface during abseil. 
Maintain continuous attachment to anchor points, traverse line or belay system. 
Changeover personal equipment from one rope system to another at belay stations, tie suitable knots and handle ropes without entanglement. 
Complete safety checks prior to loading belay system and before completing subsequent descents. 
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. 
Safely and efficiently secure abseiler using tie off techniques; release tie off and allow abseiler to continue. 
Attach self to suitable belay device for descent with back up to maintain safety in the event of a fall. 
Use appropriate posture and abseiling techniques to execute self-belayed descents. 
Control self-belay system to execute safe and controlled descents. 
Utilise features of back up belay system in the event of a fall to self-arrest, self-rescue and complete descent. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOCAY003 - Abseil in intermediate to advanced canyons
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

SISOCAY003 - Abseil in intermediate to advanced canyons

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

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