Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:01 AM AWST

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Guide abseiling on single pitch natural surfaces

Guide abseiling on single pitch natural surfaces

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOABN305A
State Code
D6264
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
28/11/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/09/2011
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
27/09/2011
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants in a single pitch abseiling activity on a natural surface. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to guide a group through an abseiling activity.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan abseiling activity.
  • 1.1. Determine the conditionofparticipants prior to participation in the activity.
  • 1.2. Develop an activity plan, according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures, to meet participant's needs.
  • 1.3. Select an appropriate activity site or location that is suitable for participants and meets activity objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.4. Identify hazards associated with abseiling on natural surfaces and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
  • 1.5. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
  • 1.6. Determine food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the activity.
  • 1.7. Determine most appropriate belay system according to participant's abilities and conditions at the site.
  • 1.8. Inform appropriate authorities before commencing the abseiling activity as required.
2. Select equipment for the group.
  • 2.1. Select equipment according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures and check serviceability.
  • 2.2. Assess equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.
  • 2.3. Establish anchors and ropes, ensuring they are in correct position for the activity.
  • 2.4. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the abseil.
3. Brief participants.
  • 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the abseiling activity in a manner suitable to the participants.
  • 3.2. Demonstrate correct abseiling and belaying techniques.
  • 3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while abseiling and belaying.
  • 3.4. Outline safety checks, safe areas and boundaries for the activity.
  • 3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the abseil.
4. Supervise abseiling activity.
  • 4.1. Provide clear and concise direction and advice to group during the activity.
  • 4.2. Monitor abseiling and belaying techniques to ensure safety of participants.
  • 4.3. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
  • 4.4. Implement appropriate modifications to activity in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
  • 4.5. Use positive encouragement throughout activity, and encourage feedback and questioning from group members.
5. Complete post-activity responsibilities.
  • 5.1. Retrieve, inspect and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of abseiling activity.
  • 5.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future abseiling activities.
  • 5.4. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.
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.
Condition of participants may include:
skill level
previous experience
physical capabilities and fitness level
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
activity aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location
guide and participant ratios
resources
equipment
food and water
weather details
participant information
safety requirements
risk management plan.
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
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
guide and participant ratios
emergency and safety procedures
code of ethics.
Activity objectives may include:
self improvement
fitness
social interaction
education
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Natural surfaces may include:
cliffs
boulders
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
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.
Food and water requirements may include:
perishability
packaging
storage.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Belay system may include:
top belay
bottom brake
self belay.
Appropriate authorities may include:
authorities
supervisors
Equipment may include:
abseiling equipment:
safety equipment
rescue equipment.
Relevant information may include:
personal equipment requirements
safety procedures
possible hazards
environmental impact minimisation
abseiling and belaying techniques
objectives
rules and codes
responsible and safe behaviour.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Safety checks may include:
A - anchors - secure and suitable to application
B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations
C - connectors - locked, secured and orientated
D - devices - threaded correctly and secured
E - everything else including end of rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured
F - friend - cross check.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
abseiling technique
attitude
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
abseiling conditions.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
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:
plans activity in accordance with participants needs, relevant legislation, organisational policy and procedures
briefs, guides and monitors groups in a safe and professional manner
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the abseiling activity
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure leading abseiling activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants and are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document abseiling activities for a variety of participants
a natural single pitch abseiling site suitable for the participants
a group of participants to take part in the abseiling activity
equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, descending devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, food and water, and safety 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:
observation of interaction with a group of participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral and written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all abseiling activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of abseiling activity plans
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues
SISOABN303A Apply single pitch abseiling skills on natural surfaces
SISOABN304A Establish ropes for single pitch abseiling on natural surfaces
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6072 SROABN007A Guide abseiling on natural surfaces (single pitch) Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBF98 SISOABS009 Lead single pitch abseiling activities on natural surfaces Unit of competency