Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:14 AM AWST

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Perform complex vertical rescues

Perform complex vertical rescues

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOVTR402A
State Code
D6517
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
40
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to rescue self and others in complex single and multi pitch vertical contexts. This unit only addresses specific vertical rescue competencies. It does not address generic competencies such as anchor selection.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for rescue.
  • 1.1. Select rescue equipment based on situation and check to ensure it is safe for use.
  • 1.2. Identify immediate hazards and assess risks to self and others.
  • 1.3. Assess the complex vertical rescue situation and select and co-ordinate a suitable rescue method according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.4. Communicate directions to other members of the group.
2. Establish rescue system.
  • 2.1. Identify situations requiring the use of mechanical advantage systems and determine the type of system required according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.2. Organise operational systems to raise and lower a person or equipment, ensuring the safety of operators, rescuee and others.
  • 2.3. Rig ropes for efficient ascent or descent.
  • 2.4. Use system equipment in a safe and effective manner according to manufacturer's recommendations and organisational policies and procedures, to ensure that design limits are not exceeded.
3. Perform complex self rescues.
  • 3.1. Assess the situation and identify suitable obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 3.2. Carry out complex self rescue and negotiate obstacles while maintaining personal safety according to organisational policies and procedures.
4. Undertake complex vertical rescues.
  • 4.1. Identify rescue techniques for complex situations and select a technique according to the degree of urgency, resources, rescuee status and personal ability.
  • 4.2. Identify situations requiring approach from above or below and apply approach procedures for the situation.
  • 4.3. Demonstrate an escape from the belay system.
  • 4.4. Establish rescue system efficiently and inform other group members of their roles.
  • 4.5. Construct and use an improvised harness in a rescue situation.
  • 4.6. Operate a rescue system, demonstrating lowering and raising procedures to recover conscious and unconscious persons in single and multi pitch situations, with assistance from others.
  • 4.7. Provide assistance to establish and use a system to rescue a person on a stretcher.
5. Conclude rescue operations.
  • 5.1. Check and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's guidelines.
  • 5.2. Evaluate rescue activity and identify improvements for future complex vertical rescues.
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.
Equipment may include:
Prusik cords
foot loops
tape
mechanical ascenders
descending devices
karabiners
maillon rapids
rope
stretcher
helmet
harness
artificial protection
rescue pulleys
releasable hitches
knife
slings
first aid equipment
personal protective equipment.
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 failure.
Assess may include:
scouting hazards
determining rescue abilities
identifying the degree of urgency
availability of physical and human resources.
Complex vertical rescues may include:
multi pitch
numerous obstacles to negotiate
rescuee is unconscious
limited physical and human resources
counter balancing abseiling techniques
extreme environmental conditions.
Rescue method may include:
raising
lowering
assisted rescue from above or below
diagonal or horizontal traversing
transferring loads from one rope to another
descending methods for a 2 person abseil
pluck off.
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
use, maintenance and storage of equipment
communication protocols
access to medical personnel
removal of casualties
minimal impact codes
code of ethics.
Situations may include:
'frozen', wedged or inverted participant on pitch
hair or clothing jam
stuck rope or equipment
participant unable to overcome difficult section of route.
Mechanical advantage systems may include:
simple pulley systems with only one moving pulley
compound pulley systems with more than one pulley in system
assisted and unassisted hoist.
Obstacle avoidance or extrication procedures may include:
by-passing obstacle
raising body weight
changeovers to another system while suspended on a rope.
Obstacles may include:
knots
rope pads and protectors
traverses
ledges
trees
other pitch users.
Harness may include:
sit
chest.
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:
assesses the rescue scene to identify potential hazards, obstacles and risks, and determines the most effective and efficient rescue method according to the situation
selects rescue equipment and rigs ropes that allow for safe ascents and descents
performs self-rescue in complex situations while maintaining personal safety and negotiating obstacles and hazards
identifies situations requiring approach from above or below and those requiring the use of mechanical advantage systems to raise and lower a person or equipment
applies lowering and raising procedures, with assistance from others where required, in a controlled manner to recover a conscious and unconscious person in a variety of complex situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple vertical rescue activities in complex single and multi pitch contexts to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable complex single or multi pitch, in activity specific contexts such as abseiling, canyoning, caving and or climbing
personnel for team based rescues
rescue, safety, roping and activity-specific equipment according to rescue circumstances.
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 selecting equipment and rigging ropes for safe ascents and descents
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of complex single and multi pitch vertical rescue procedures and potential hazards, obstacles and risks
observation of performing safe and efficient self rescues and rescues of others using mechanical advantage systems
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:
Activity-specific units from the Fields of roping such as abseiling, canyoning, caving, climbing.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6335 SROVTR002A Perform complex vertical rescues Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBE97 SISORSC003 Perform complex vertical rescues Unit of competency