Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:18 PM AWST

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Apply top rope climbing skills on artificial surfaces

Apply top rope climbing skills on artificial surfaces

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCLA302A
State Code
D6290
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
13/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
13/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply climbing and belaying skills to single pitch top rope situations on artificial surfaces. This unit relates to independent participation as part of a climbing party. It does not include the competencies required to instruct or guide others or establish belay systems.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for the activity.
  • 1.1. Identify and select an appropriate activity site after consideration of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.2. Identify associated hazards and procedures to minimise risks to climber and belayer on artificial surfaces.
  • 1.3. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan, where applicable.
  • 1.4. Establish a suitable communication system to use while climbing and belaying with other participants.
2. Select and utilise appropriate equipment.
  • 2.1. Select and use equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, after consideration of contextual issues.
  • 2.2. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety.
  • 2.3. Complete all necessary personal safety checks prior to commencing climbing and or belaying.
  • 2.4. Demonstrate attachment to a suitable belay system in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, and apply correct rope handling and knot tying techniques.
3. Demonstrate climbing technique.
  • 3.1. Select a suitable route for the climb, inspect the position and quality of features, and provide an accurate route description.
  • 3.2. Display correct posture and fluent climbing techniques suitable to features and possible holds.
  • 3.3. Maintain effective communication between climber and belayer throughout climb.
  • 3.4. Locate and evaluate the main features of the climb, while climbing.
  • 3.5. Locate and utilise rest positions to reduce fatigue.
  • 3.6. Negotiate simple obstacles and a climb in a controlled manner.
  • 3.7. Demonstrate suitable posture for lowering purposes.
4. Demonstrate belaying technique.
  • 4.1. Establish belaying position by moving body in relation to belay device that allows effective use of belay system.
  • 4.2. Demonstrate attachment of belayer to an anchor to minimise movement during a fall.
  • 4.3. Maintain rope tension to ensure fall distance is minimised while not restricting climber movement.
  • 4.4. Monitor climber progress constantly and respond appropriately to climber calls.
  • 4.5. Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to the belaying device and or situation.
5. Evaluate climbing activity.
  • 5.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of climbing and belaying.
  • 5.2. Identify improvements for future climbing activities.
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.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
emergency procedures
code of ethics.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
group management hazards.
Risks may include:
falls and slips
injuries and illnesses
height phobia
rope burn
equipment failure.
Artificial surfaces may include:
portable or fixed walls
fixed towers or bridges
indoor or outdoor.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
coastal patrol or coastguard
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Communication system may include:
climbing calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Equipment may include:
helmets
karabiners
harnesses
gloves
belay device
slings
ropes
tapes
chalk bag and chalk.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
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- everything else including end of rope knots, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured.
F- friend - cross check.
Belay system may include:
top belay
bottom belay.
Knot tying may include:
alpine butterfly
end of line loop
mid line loop
stopper knot
rethreaded figure 8
figure 8 on bight
friction hitches.
Features may include:
aretes
chimneys
corners
cracks
edges
jugs
ledges
overhangs
pockets
roofs
slabs.
Climbing techniques may include:
bridging
dynamic movement,
dead pointing
heel hooks
jamming
lay backing
layaways and side pulls
mantle shelving
pinch grips
smearing
underclings.
Simple obstacles may include:
ledges
overhangs
squeezes
traverses.
Belay device may include:
plate device
tube device
auto locking device.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection.
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:
applies relevant processes to plan for climbing activity, and describes suitable route to take
selects and fits equipment independently and carries out safety checks to ensure effective working order
arranges a suitable communication system with climber, when belaying, to monitor progress
negotiates obstacles and hazards during climbing, and adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise to ensure safety of self and other participants
evaluates and reflects on own climbing and belaying performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple climbing and belaying activities on single pitch artificial surfaces to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must ensure access to:
resources and information regarding climbing and belaying, to accurately plan for the activity
suitable artificial single pitch climbing site with simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate climbing skills
other climbing participants to assist with belaying
equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, climbing shoes and first aid 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 relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all climbing activities
observation of safe participation and demonstration of climbing and belaying skills, such as communicating with climber or belayer to inform of progress
observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment failure or change in weather
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
SISOCLA303A Establish belays for climbing on artificial surfaces.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6095 SROCLA002A Apply climbing skills on artificial surfaces Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBF77 SISOCLM001 Top rope climb single pitches, artificial surfaces Unit of competency