Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:29 PM AWST
22/07/2026 9:29 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.
Instruct top rope climbing on artificial surfaces
Instruct top rope climbing on artificial surfaces
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCLA412
SISOCLA412
State Code
WI689
WI689
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
29/01/2014
Field of Education
092103 - Sports Coaching, Officiating And Instruction
Original Release Date
29/01/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to instruct participants in top rope single pitch climbing on an artificial surface. This unit focuses on planning, instructing and evaluating an instructional climbing session to enable participants to achieve the skills and knowledge required to participate independently, or with minimal supervision, in single pitch top rope climbing on artificial surfaces.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a climbing session.
- 1.1. Establish participant needs and characteristics.
- 1.2. Assess current climbing knowledge of participants in order to determine session aims and objectives.
- 1.3. Determine an appropriate instructional plan according to participant needs and characteristics.
- 1.4. Develop a climbing plan to meet participant needs and characteristics, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.5. Determine artificial surface for session.
- 1.6. Identify potential hazards and risks associated with climbing on an artificial surface and minimise according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.7. Access relevant sources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity and contingency plans, as appropriate.
2. Select and organise equipment and resources.
- 2.1. Select, access and check serviceability of equipment and resources according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.
- 2.2. Check personal protective equipment for safety and suitability, according to relevant legislation and manufacturer recommendations, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort and safety.
- 2.3. Check anchors and belay system to ensure conformance to relevant standards for artificial climbing surfaces.
- 2.4. Organise and check that participants are wearing appropriate clothing and climbing footwear.
- 2.5. Check emergency response equipment including first aid kit and make available to support instructional activities at height.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the climbing session in a manner suitable to the participants.
- 3.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.
- 3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while climbing and belaying.
- 3.4. Outline safety procedures and safe areas and or boundaries for the activity.
- 3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the climbing session and that equipment is fitted and adjusted.
4. Instruct a climbing session.
- 4.1. Conduct introductory activities for participants to reduce the risk of injury.
- 4.2. Demonstrate effective climbing, belaying and back-up belaying techniques.
- 4.3. Demonstrate and practice effective procedures for creating a secure and stable rope attachment to the climbers harness.
- 4.4. Demonstrate and practice effective human operated belay procedures.
- 4.5. Apply clear and accurate instructional techniques to impart climbing specific knowledge, skills and safety and rescue procedures.
- 4.6. Observe participant performance during climbing session, provide appropriate feedback and adjust or refine individual and or group technique as required.
- 4.7. Demonstrate procedures for dealing with emergency and non routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 4.8. Inform participants of opportunities to further develop their climbing skills and knowledge.
5. Instruct a rescue techniques session.
- 5.1. Demonstrate how to manage situations requiring direct assistance, and demonstrate correct approach procedures for the particular situation.
- 5.2. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of rescue strategies for individual situations.
- 5.3. Demonstrate different direct and indirect rescue strategies according to the degree of urgency, resources, rescuee status and ability.
- 5.4. Demonstrate establishing and operating a rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their role.
- 5.5. Demonstrate lowering procedures to recover a conscious and unconscious person from an artificial surface with assistance from others who are unskilled in rescue techniques.
- 5.6. Demonstrate constructing and using an improvised harness in a rescue situation.
- 5.7. Demonstrate an escape from a belay.
- 5.8. Monitor participants during rescue session, provide appropriate feedback to adjust or refine individual and group technique as required.
6. Complete post-session responsibilities.
- 6.1. Retrieve, inspect and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 6.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of the climbing sessions.
- 6.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future climbing sessions.
- 6.4. 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.
Participant needs and characteristics may include:
age
fitness level and physical capabilities
experience
current skills and knowledge
injuries and illnesses
cultural.
Session aims and objectives may include:
developing climbing skills
education and self improvement
therapy
fitness targets
social and recreation
assessment.
Instructional plan may include:
outcomes
course content
sequenced information
lesson plans
teaching strategies
practical exercises
materials and equipment
safety and standards
modification for different abilities
assessment strategies
evaluation.
Climbing plan may include:
activity aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location or site
guide and participant ratios
resources
equipment
food and water
weather details
participant information
safety requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
work health and safety
permits or permission for access.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
work health and safety
time constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
guide and participant ratios
emergency and safety procedures
code of ethics.
Artificial surfaces may include:
portable or fixed walls
fixed towers
indoor or outdoor.
Hazards and risks may include:
lack of planning
equipment failure
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
group management
lack of supervision.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
relevant for artificial surfaces in outdoor settings:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
UV index
synoptic charts.
Equipment may include:
ropes
harnesses
belay devices
connective hardware e.g. maillons, carabiners, hooks
karabiners
chalk and chalk bag
helmet
rope protectors
knife
rescue pulley
adjustable sling (floor anchorage to belay person)
accessory cord
whistle.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size
age and ability.
Belay system may include:
human operated belay
team belay
floor/ground anchorage
redirects
self-locking belay devices
belay devices which require hand grip control to arrest fall
automatic mechanical belay system - self retracting lines with speed limited lowering.
Relevant information may include:
personal protection equipment requirements
safety procedures
hazards and associated risks
preventative control measures for risks
climbing and belaying techniques/procedures
objectives
assessment
site rules and codes.
Communication system may include:
calls
hand signals
whistles.
Safety procedures may include:
self checks following a well defined logical sequence
buddy system checks following a well defined logical sequence
ABCDEF Safety Check:
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
adherence to site rules and procedures
compliance to instructions given by supervising staff.
Instructional techniques may include:
discussion
questioning
demonstration
practical exercises
discovery
role play
problem solving
revision
D.E.D.I.C.T.:
demonstrate
explain
demonstrate
instruct
critique
test
E.D.I.C.T:
explain
demonstrate
instruct
critique
test
I.D.E.A:
introduce
demonstrate
explain
apply.
Climbing specific knowledge and skills may include:
climbing technique
belaying technique
communications systems
rescue systems and techniques
hazards and risks on artificial surfaces
use and care of equipment.
Participant performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
climbing technique
attitude
use of equipment
rig ropes and associated equipment
Approach procedures may include:
ascending rope
ascending ladder
work platform.
Rescue strategies may include:
direct intervention techniques:
accessing the climber via portable ladder
providing a portable ladder for use as a support tool
seizing control of belay system
changing out the belay person
removing tension/load from the climbing rope
lowering technique
indirect intervention techniques:
oral instructions to climber (eg talk them down)
provide encouragement
provide instructions as deemed necessary to bring the situation under control.
Resources may include:
portable ladder
mobile work platform
rescue equipment
pulleys
accessory cord
tools
pliers
shifter
knife
connection hardware e.g. maillons, carabiners.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather (if outdoors)
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
Participant needs and characteristics may include:
age
fitness level and physical capabilities
experience
current skills and knowledge
injuries and illnesses
cultural.
Session aims and objectives may include:
developing climbing skills
education and self improvement
therapy
fitness targets
social and recreation
assessment.
Instructional plan may include:
outcomes
course content
sequenced information
lesson plans
teaching strategies
practical exercises
materials and equipment
safety and standards
modification for different abilities
assessment strategies
evaluation.
Climbing plan may include:
activity aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location or site
guide and participant ratios
resources
equipment
food and water
weather details
participant information
safety requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
work health and safety
permits or permission for access.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
work health and safety
time constraints
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
guide and participant ratios
emergency and safety procedures
code of ethics.
Artificial surfaces may include:
portable or fixed walls
fixed towers
indoor or outdoor.
Hazards and risks may include:
lack of planning
equipment failure
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
group management
lack of supervision.
Relevant sources may include:
Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers or agencies
local knowledge.
Weather and environmental information may include:
relevant for artificial surfaces in outdoor settings:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
UV index
synoptic charts.
Equipment may include:
ropes
harnesses
belay devices
connective hardware e.g. maillons, carabiners, hooks
karabiners
chalk and chalk bag
helmet
rope protectors
knife
rescue pulley
adjustable sling (floor anchorage to belay person)
accessory cord
whistle.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size
age and ability.
Belay system may include:
human operated belay
team belay
floor/ground anchorage
redirects
self-locking belay devices
belay devices which require hand grip control to arrest fall
automatic mechanical belay system - self retracting lines with speed limited lowering.
Relevant information may include:
personal protection equipment requirements
safety procedures
hazards and associated risks
preventative control measures for risks
climbing and belaying techniques/procedures
objectives
assessment
site rules and codes.
Communication system may include:
calls
hand signals
whistles.
Safety procedures may include:
self checks following a well defined logical sequence
buddy system checks following a well defined logical sequence
ABCDEF Safety Check:
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
adherence to site rules and procedures
compliance to instructions given by supervising staff.
Instructional techniques may include:
discussion
questioning
demonstration
practical exercises
discovery
role play
problem solving
revision
D.E.D.I.C.T.:
demonstrate
explain
demonstrate
instruct
critique
test
E.D.I.C.T:
explain
demonstrate
instruct
critique
test
I.D.E.A:
introduce
demonstrate
explain
apply.
Climbing specific knowledge and skills may include:
climbing technique
belaying technique
communications systems
rescue systems and techniques
hazards and risks on artificial surfaces
use and care of equipment.
Participant performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
climbing technique
attitude
use of equipment
rig ropes and associated equipment
Approach procedures may include:
ascending rope
ascending ladder
work platform.
Rescue strategies may include:
direct intervention techniques:
accessing the climber via portable ladder
providing a portable ladder for use as a support tool
seizing control of belay system
changing out the belay person
removing tension/load from the climbing rope
lowering technique
indirect intervention techniques:
oral instructions to climber (eg talk them down)
provide encouragement
provide instructions as deemed necessary to bring the situation under control.
Resources may include:
portable ladder
mobile work platform
rescue equipment
pulleys
accessory cord
tools
pliers
shifter
knife
connection hardware e.g. maillons, carabiners.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather (if outdoors)
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional 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 ability to:
plan and instruct climbing activities using a variety of instructional techniques that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants
observe and monitor the progress of participants, provide constructive feedback and intervention and modify instructional techniques and activities to improve climbing performance
apply effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the climbing sessions
evaluate and reflect on own instruction performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure that climbing activities 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 climbing activities for a variety of participants
an artificial climbing surface suitable for the participants
a group of participants to take part in the climbing activities
climbing equipment such as harnesses, belay devices, ropes, and carabiners.
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 or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all climbing activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of climbing activity plans
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the individual.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
plan and instruct climbing activities using a variety of instructional techniques that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants
observe and monitor the progress of participants, provide constructive feedback and intervention and modify instructional techniques and activities to improve climbing performance
apply effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that may arise during the climbing sessions
evaluate and reflect on own instruction performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure that climbing activities 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 climbing activities for a variety of participants
an artificial climbing surface suitable for the participants
a group of participants to take part in the climbing activities
climbing equipment such as harnesses, belay devices, ropes, and carabiners.
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 or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all climbing activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of climbing activity plans
review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the individual.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBF67 | SISOCLM008 | Lead single pitch climbing activities on artificial surfaces, top rope climbing | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC283 | SISSS00046 | Climbing Instructor (Artificial Surfaces) Top Rope | Skill set |
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |