Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:09 PM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Guide vertical single pitch caving trips

Guide vertical single pitch caving trips

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCVE307A
State Code
D6334
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
13/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
13/10/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide participants on vertical single pitch caving trips. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to safely guide groups on caving trips in caves with single pitch descents.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan vertical single pitch caving trip.
  • 1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the condition and experience of participants.
  • 1.2. Develop a trip plan according to participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.3. Select an appropriate cave for the trip according to participant's abilities, trip objectives and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.4. Determine most appropriate belay system according to participant's abilities and conditions at the site.
  • 1.5. Identify hazards associated with vertical caving and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
  • 1.6. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather information to determine trip plan.
  • 1.7. Determine food and water requirements according to contextual issues of the trip.
  • 1.8. Obtain permits or permission for access where required, and inform appropriate authorities before commencing the caving trip.
2. Select equipment for the group.
  • 2.1. Select caving 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. Check safety and rescue equipment for suitability to the cave.
3. Brief participants.
  • 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the vertical caving trip in a manner suitable to the participants.
  • 3.2. Outline logistical details, minimal impact procedures and safety procedures for the trip.
  • 3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use throughout caving trip.
  • 3.4. Demonstrate correct abseiling and or laddering, belaying and back-up belaying techniques.
  • 3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the trip.
4. Lead vertical single pitch caving trip.
  • 4.1. Evaluate caving conditions and provide direction and advice to group during the trip.
  • 4.2. Establish anchors, abseil ropes or caving ladders, and or belay ropes if applicable, ensuring ropes or ladders are positioned correctly for the proposed descent or ascent.
  • 4.3. Demonstrate vertical single pitch caving techniques, where required, to negotiate features of cave.
  • 4.4. Monitor individual and group progress, including abseiling or laddering, belaying and or back-up belaying techniques, and provide feedback throughout.
  • 4.5. Identify potential hazards and decide how they can be overcome or avoided.
  • 4.6. Implement modifications to trip in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
5. Complete post-trip responsibilities.
  • 5.1. Notify relevant authorities of trip completion.
  • 5.2. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 5.3. Evaluate relevant aspects of caving trip.
  • 5.4. Identify potential areas of improvement for future vertical caving trips.
  • 5.5. 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 and experience of participants may include:
previous experience
physical capabilities
age
injuries and illnesses.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
guide and participant ratios
safety, minimal impact and emergency requirements
location and route maps.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
cave access and permit requirements
working with children
equal opportunity
privacy
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
time and budget constraints
confidentiality of participant information
code of ethics
Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines:
Cave Safety Guidelines
Code of Ethics and Conservation
Minimal Impact Caving Code
Trip objectives may include:
exploration
surveying
interpretation
scientific study
meeting people
team building
fitness targets
adventure and recreation.
Belay system may include:
top belay
self belay
bottom belay
bottom brake.
Hazards may include:
environmental hazards
set-up hazards
group management hazards
caver hazards
dangerous fauna and flora.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
injuries and illnesses
exhaustion
dehydration
phobias
stings or bites
equipment failure.
Relevant sources may include:
bureau of meteorology
media
national parks and wildlife centres
police.
Weather information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation, using foods suitable for the cave environment
range of foods.
Contextual issues may include:
season and weather
cave features
participant characteristics
number of staff
length and depth of cave
safety requirements.
Equipment may include:
caving equipment
safety equipment
rescue equipment
artificial protection
navigation equipment
communication equipment.
Relevant information may include:
safety procedures
logistical details
risk and hazard prevention and management
caving techniques
minimal impact procedures
abseiling and belaying techniques
responsible and safe behaviour.
Safety procedures may include:
personal safety checks
safe areas and or boundaries
contingency and risk management plan.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
cave conditions.
Relevant aspects may include:
use of equipment
caving, abseiling and belaying skills
activity organisation and conduct
communication and feedback
demonstration of caving, abseiling and belaying techniques
safety practices.
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 within activity constraints and guides and monitors group in a safe and professional manner
applies contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems or variable factors that may arise during vertical single pitch caving trips
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 the safe guiding of groups on vertical single pitch caving trips of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
suitable vertical single pitch caving sites to guide participants
participants to take part in caving trips
caving, abseiling, belaying, safety, first aid, rescue, navigation and communication equipment
resources and information regarding participants and cave site.
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 planning and guiding processes and interacting with participants, including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge and application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all caving activities throughout trip
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of caving trip 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:
SISXCAI306A Facilitate a group.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBF54 SISOCVE006 Lead caving activities Unit of competency