Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:41 AM AWST

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Conduct a high ropes session

Conduct a high ropes session

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCRP302A
State Code
D6323
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
15/10/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to assist in the conduct of programs using independent elements or linked high ropes courses, which require the use of a belay system to keep participants safe.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for high ropes session.
  • 1.1. Identify different types and uses of challenge ropes courses.
  • 1.2. Select appropriate high rope course according to participant's needs and characteristics and the session's aims and objectives.
  • 1.3. Develop a plan according to relevant legislation, organisational policies and procedures and participant's needs.
  • 1.4. Identify potential hazards associated with high ropes session and take measures to minimise risks.
  • 1.5. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use during the session.
  • 1.6. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
2. Set up activity.
  • 2.1. Select and fit harness according to situation and manufacturer's recommendations.
  • 2.2. Identify safe attachment points throughout the course and or elements for the attachment of belays and safety lines.
  • 2.3. Set up elements requiring additional equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.4. Establish dynamic belay systems where required.
  • 2.5. Tie knots according to the situation.
  • 2.6. Select a belay device that is suitable for the situation and the belayer's ability.
3. Outline belay methods.
  • 3.1. Instruct and demonstrate correct personal equipment fitting and use.
  • 3.2. Explain essential components of correct belay technique.
  • 3.3. Verify participant understanding of belay technique and safety procedures.
  • 3.4. Supervise participants' practice of belay techniques in a low risk situation.
  • 3.5. Provide feedback on correct technique, to ensure safety of high ropes course participant and belayer.
  • 3.6. Encourage communication between belayer and ropes course participant.
  • 3.7. Establish buddy systems to provide support.
4. Conduct pre-activity inspection.
  • 4.1. Check site and immediate area according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 4.2. Inspect individual elements and perform maintenance tasks according to own ability and responsibility.
  • 4.3. Refer maintenance tasks beyond own ability and responsibility to relevant industry specialists.
  • 4.4. Check participant's clothing and footwear for suitability prior to participation.
  • 4.5. Perform pre-activity check of equipment to ensure that it is in good working order.
5. Conduct high ropes course activities.
  • 5.1. Identify potential hazards and risks to both ropes course participants and belayers associated with each element.
  • 5.2. Adjust belay system, where applicable, to ensure the safety of the belayer in the event of a fall.
  • 5.3. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
  • 5.4. Implement appropriate modifications to activities in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
6. Perform rescue of high ropes course participant.
  • 6.1. Determine the advantages and disadvantages of possible rescue strategies for individual situations.
  • 6.2. Identify situations requiring direct assistance, and apply correct approach procedures for the particular situation.
  • 6.3. Select the most appropriate strategy according to the degree of urgency, element features, resources, rescuee status and ability, and personal ability.
  • 6.4. Demonstrate an escape from a belay.
  • 6.5. Establish a rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their role.
  • 6.6. Operate a rescue system, demonstrating lowering procedures to recover a conscious person from a high ropes element with assistance from rescuee.
7. Conclude session.
  • 7.1. Debrief the activity according to activity aims, objectives and own skills and abilities.
  • 7.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of the session and identify potential areas of improvement for future sessions.
  • 7.3. Dismantle, inspect and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 7.4. Prepare reports on the use of the course, and suggested maintenance and modifications, where applicable.
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.
Challenge ropes courses may include:
high elements
low elements
linked elements
independent elements.
Participant's needs and characteristics may include:
age
cultural factors
situational factors
previous experience
injuries and illnesses
physical
emotional
psychological.
Aims and objectives may include:
developing high rope skills
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
Plan may include:
session's aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location or course site
set up requirements
coach or staff and participant ratios
equipment and resources
weather details
safety requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
marine regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
time and budget constraints
use and maintenance of course and equipment
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
operational procedures for specific high ropes course
ratios
code of ethics.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment and course failure.
Communication system may include:
verbal
radio
hande signals
whistles.
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
event warnings
river level
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Harness may include:
thigh loop sit harness
improvised harness
chest harness
full body harness.
Additional equipment may include:
ladders
hand ropes
swing ropes
detachable elements
pulleys
eye bolts
swaging devices
wire rope grips
shackles
thimbles
rigging screws
turnbuckles
staples
camming devices
karabiners.
Knots may include:
end of rope knots
friction knots
joining knots
tape knot.
Belay device may include:
auto locking devices
plate devices
tubular devices.
Equipment may include:
helmets
harness
karabiners
belay ropes and devices
static belay tapes or ropes
ladders.
Maintenance tasks may include:
removal of hazards:
fallen branches
loose rocks
spider webs.
Belay systems may include:
static belay
dynamic belay.
Participant's performance may include:
use of appropriate communication system
course participation
belaying techniques
rescue techniques
safety precautions
attitude
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
rope course and or equipment failure
participant's needs
conditions.
Rescue strategies may include:
indirect assistance of rescuee through verbal direction
direct assistance of rescuee to recover and continue elements
direct assistance of rescuee to lower from course to ground.
Approach procedures may include:
via course from start or finish of course
from mid-course access point and via elements
ascending ladder to element
ascending rope to element.
Resources may include:
ladder
rescue rope
pulley
Prusik loops
pliers
knife.
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 within activity constraints and selects appropriate high ropes course suitable to participant's needs and characteristics
conducts thorough pre-activity inspections of course and individual elements and carries out appropriate maintenance, according to level of responsibility, and prepares reports accordingly
outlines and supervises belay and rescue techniques and determines their suitability to the course, elements and individual needs
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of hazards and risks that commonly arise during challenge ropes sessions
encourages and responds to feedback and evaluates and reflects on own leading performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure conduct of multiple of high ropes activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must ensure access to:
a suitable high ropes course with a minimum of five elements, including a variety of standard high ropes course elements that require belaying
a group of participants to take part in the high ropes session
resources and information regarding participants and course to accurately plan, lead and document activities for a variety of participants
high ropes equipment, such as helmets, harness, karabiners, belay ropes, belay devices, static belay tapes or ropes and ladders.
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 adequate pre-activity checks of high ropes course to ensure it is undamaged and free from hazards
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all activities during session
observation of demonstrating high ropes techniques, including belaying and rescuing and dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of session plan and reports on course use and maintenance
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6128 SROCRP002A Conduct a high ropes session Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBF79 SISOCHC003 Lead challenge course sessions, high elements Unit of competency