Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 6:30 AM AWST
22/07/2026 6:30 AM 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 lead climbing activities on multi pitch natural surfaces
Guide lead climbing activities on multi pitch natural surfaces
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCLN410A
SISOCLN410A
State Code
D6308
D6308
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
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
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide lead climbing activities on a multi pitch natural surface. This includes establishing anchors using a combination of fixed, natural and or artificial protection. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to guide a group through a lead climbing activity.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a lead climbing activity.
- 1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the condition of participants.
- 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 that is suitable for participants and meets session's aims and objectives, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Identify hazards associated with lead climbing on natural surfaces and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
- 1.5. Access relevant sources 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. Inform appropriate authorities before commencing the climbing activity.
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. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the climb.
- 2.4. Establish anchors and belay types, ensuring they are in correct position for the activity.
- 2.5. Identify suitable access to and egress from the climbing site according to organisation policies and procedures, and establish hand lines and safety lines where appropriate.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the climbing activity in a manner suitable to the participants.
- 3.2. Demonstrate correct climbing, belaying, back-up belaying techniques and removal of artificial protection.
- 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 climb.
4. Lead multi pitch climbing activity.
- 4.1. Provide clear and concise direction and advice to group during the activity.
- 4.2. Lead the climbing pitch and rig anchors for multi pitch guiding to belay clients.
- 4.3. Conduct change over of belay maintaining safety of guide and clients.
- 4.4. Monitor climbing, belaying and back-up belaying techniques to ensure a safe environment.
- 4.5. Monitor individual participant's performance and provide appropriate feedback.
- 4.6. Implement appropriate modifications to activity in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
- 4.7. Use positive encouragement throughout activity, and encourage feedback and questioning from group members.
5. Complete post-activity responsibilities.
- 5.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of climbing activity.
- 5.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future lead climbing 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
fitness level
age
injuries and illnesses.
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
risk management plan
relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
risk management procedures
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.
Session's aims and objectives may include:
developing climbing on natural surface skills
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
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:
range of foods:
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.
Appropriate authorities may include:
waterways departments
surf rescue
authorities
supervisors.
Equipment may include:
climbing equipment
safety equipment
rescue equipment
artificial protection
appropriate clothing and footwear.
Belay types may include:
single rope
double rope
top belay
bottom belay.
Relevant information may include:
personal equipment requirements:
safety procedures
route description
preventative measures for risks
possible hazards
environmental impact minimisation
climbing 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
climbing technique
lead climbing technique
second climbing technique
belaying technique
attitude
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
climbing 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.
Condition of participants may include:
skill level
previous experience
physical capabilities
fitness level
age
injuries and illnesses.
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
risk management plan
relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
risk management procedures
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.
Session's aims and objectives may include:
developing climbing on natural surface skills
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
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:
range of foods:
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.
Appropriate authorities may include:
waterways departments
surf rescue
authorities
supervisors.
Equipment may include:
climbing equipment
safety equipment
rescue equipment
artificial protection
appropriate clothing and footwear.
Belay types may include:
single rope
double rope
top belay
bottom belay.
Relevant information may include:
personal equipment requirements:
safety procedures
route description
preventative measures for risks
possible hazards
environmental impact minimisation
climbing 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
climbing technique
lead climbing technique
second climbing technique
belaying technique
attitude
negotiation of hazards
use of equipment.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
participant's needs
climbing 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 within activity constraints and guides and monitors the group in a safe and professional manner
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that arise during the lead climbing activity
encourages and responds to feedback from participants 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 climbing 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 lead climbing activities for a variety of participants
a natural multi pitch lead climbing site suitable for the participants
a group of participants to take part in the lead climbing activity
equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, artificial protection, climbing shoes, 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 or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all lead climbing activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of lead climbing 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:
SISOCLN306A Apply multi pitch lead climbing skills on natural surfaces
SISOCLN407A Establish belays for multi pitch climbing on natural surfaces
SISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescue.
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 the group in a safe and professional manner
applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that arise during the lead climbing activity
encourages and responds to feedback from participants 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 climbing 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 lead climbing activities for a variety of participants
a natural multi pitch lead climbing site suitable for the participants
a group of participants to take part in the lead climbing activity
equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, artificial protection, climbing shoes, 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 or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all lead climbing activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of lead climbing 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:
SISOCLN306A Apply multi pitch lead climbing skills on natural surfaces
SISOCLN407A Establish belays for multi pitch climbing on natural surfaces
SISOVTR402A Perform complex vertical rescue.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBF68 | SISOCLM011 | Lead multi pitch climbing activities on natural surfaces, lead climbing | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC535 | SISSS00040 | Climbing Guide (Natural Surfaces) Multi Pitch Lead | Skill set |
| AC544 | SISSS00047 | Climbing Instructor (Natural Surfaces) Multi Pitch Lead | Skill set |
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| D445 | SIS50310 | Diploma of Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |