ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCECRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare for the cave abseil.

1.1. Select clothing, footwear and personal protective equipment suitable for the cave abseil and conditions.

1.2. Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.

1.3. Confirm protocols for communications between abseiler and belayer.

1.4. Interpret route description; identify position of natural features and the abseil route.

1.5. Attach descending device to abseil rope and tie knots suitable for the established belay system.

1.6. Complete equipment safety checks prior to abseiling or belaying.

2. Abseil vertical cave pitches.

2.1. Use safety procedures at top of and throughout descent to minimise risk to self and others present.

2.2. Use appropriate posture and abseiling techniques to execute descents.

2.3. Safely approach, avoid or negotiate hazards to descend in a controlled manner.

2.4. Maintain effective communication with belayer throughout descent.

2.5. Use techniques that minimise damage to equipment and the cave environment during abseil.

3. Belay abseilers during cave descents.

3.1. Avoid or negotiate hazards and use safety procedures to minimise risk to self and others present.

3.2. Establish belaying position and attach self to anchor, as required, to allow effective and safe use of belay system.

3.3. Maintain rope tension to minimise fall distance and ensure abseiler movement is not unduly restricted.

3.4. Monitor abseiler progress constantly, and maintain clear communication with abseiler.

3.5. Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to belaying device and situation.

3.6. Safely and efficiently secure abseiler using tie off techniques; release tie off and allow abseiler to continue.

4. Self-belay during cave descents.

4.1. Attach self to suitable belay device for descent with back up to maintain safety in the event of a fall.

4.2. Use appropriate posture and abseiling techniques to execute self-belayed descents.

4.3. Control self-belay system to execute safe and controlled descents.

4.4. Utilise features of back up belay system in the event of a fall to self-arrest, self-rescue and complete descent.

Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.

SKILLS

DESCRIPTION

Reading skills to:

interpret detailed and familiar organisational safety and emergency response procedures.

Oral communications skills to:

use clear and unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communications to make intent known.

Numeracy skills to:

visually estimate angles, estimate load on ropes to determine appropriate tension for abseiling and belaying.

Planning and organising skills to:

manage own timing to complete activities within planned timeframes.