Application
This unit applies to those working as assistant abseiling leaders or support staff under supervision in a range of controlled artificial conditions.
This unit may also apply to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers, volunteer groups, not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.
Prerequisites
Nil
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
1. Prepare for abseiling activity. | 1.1. Identify associated hazards and procedures to minimise risks for abseiling on artificial surfaces, as advised by the leader. 1.2. Comply with relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. |
2. Select and utilise appropriate equipment. | 2.1. Identify, select and use equipment in a safe and efficient manner. 2.2. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety. 2.3. Select and attach descending device to the rope and tie knots suitable to the belay system being used. 2.4. Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks including belay systems used, prior to commencing descent. |
3. Demonstrate abseiling technique. | 3.1. Demonstrate correct posture and technique while abseiling, using single and or double rope. 3.2. Demonstrate use of effective communication between abseiler and belayer using standard calls and procedures. 3.3. Negotiate simple obstacles and avoid hazards safely, to descend in a controlled manner. |
4. Evaluate the abseiling activity. | 4.1. Receive feedback on performance from leader. 4.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of the abseiling activity. 4.3. Identify personal improvements for future abseiling activities. |
Required Skills
Required skills |
communication skills to inform progress and interact with belayer problem-solving skills to negotiate obstacles and hazards when abseiling |
Required knowledge |
relevant organisational policies and procedures to enable safe participation in abseiling activities identification and use of personal abseiling equipment. care of abseiling equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements abseiling techniques and common communication methods and calls used to reduce risk during an abseiling activity on an artificial surface hazards that may be experienced in an artificial abseiling environment emergency procedures, potential hazards and obstacles relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others. |
Evidence Required
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: selects and fits abseiling equipment, and carries out personal safety checks follows written and verbal instructions to apply knowledge and demonstrate controlled abseiling techniques on an artificial surface negotiates obstacles and hazards during the abseiling activity, and communicates effectively with the belayer or leader to ensure safety of self and others Receives feedback from leader and evaluates and reflects on own abseiling performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure participation in abseiling activities that are of sufficient duration to allow the participant to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance. Assessment must also ensure access to: resources and information regarding abseiling techniques and potential hazards of the artificial surface a suitable artificial abseiling site with simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate simple abseiling skills a qualified leader abseiling equipment. |
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: oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational policies and procedures to enable safe participation in abseiling observation of safe participation and demonstration of abseiling skills and techniques, such as communicating with belayer and descending in a controlled manner observation of dealing with contingencies third-party reports from a leader detailing performance. Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: SISOABN202A Safeguard an abseiler using a single rope belay system |
Range Statement
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. | |
Hazards may include: | Fitting and fixtures Surface irregularities dangerous animals and insects Slippery surfaces |
Risks may include: | Emotional risk injuries exhaustion equipment and misuse |
Artificial surfaces may include: | portable or fixed wall fixed tower or bridge indoor or outdoor single pitch. |
Relevant legislation may include: | occupational health and safety permits or permission for access environmental regulations. |
Organisational policies and procedures may include: | operating procedures and company or enterprise policies use of equipment communication protocols emergency procedures code of ethics. |
Equipment may include: | helmets protective clothing karabiners harnesses gloves footwear belay device rope descending device. |
Safety checks may include: | A - anchors - secure and suitable to application B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations C- connector - locked, secured and orientated D - devices - threaded correctly and secured E - organisation specific procedures including; end or rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured. F- friend - cross check. |
Belay and Descending devices may include: | auto locking devices figure 8 devices plate devices tubular devices inline devices. |
Belay system may include: | top belay bottom brake self belay. |
Communication may include: | calls radio hand signals whistles. |
Obstacles may include: | ledges overhangs squeezes. |
Relevant aspects may include: | objectives equipment selection clothing selection instructional content instructional technique assessment technique group feedback directing techniques. |
Sectors
Outdoor Recreation
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.