Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:27 PM AWST

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Apply single pitch abseiling skills on artificial surfaces

Apply single pitch abseiling skills on artificial surfaces

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOABA302A
State Code
D6251
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
14/02/2014
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
14/02/2014
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to independently abseil in single pitch situations on artificial surfaces. This unit includes the application of belaying skills for the protection of self and others. It does not cover setting up or rigging an abseil.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for the abseiling activity.
  • 1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to the duration of the activity.
  • 1.2. Identify and select an appropriate activity site after consideration of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 1.3. Identify associated hazards and procedures to minimise risks to abseiler and belayer on artificial surfaces.
  • 1.4. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan, where applicable.
  • 1.5. Establish a suitable communication system to use while abseiling and belaying with other participants.
2. Select and utilise appropriate equipment.
  • 2.1. Select and use equipment in a safe and efficient manner, after consideration of contextual issues.
  • 2.2. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety.
  • 2.3. Select and attach descending device to the rope and tie knots suitable to the belay system being used.
  • 2.4. Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks prior to commencing abseiling and or belaying.
  • 2.5. Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of descent site to minimise risk.
3. Demonstrate abseiling technique.
  • 3.1. Display correct posture and technique while abseiling, using single and double rope.
  • 3.2. Maintain effective communication between abseiler and belayer throughout the descent.
  • 3.3. Apply safe and correct abseiling techniques.
  • 3.4. Negotiate simple obstacles and avoid or remove hazards to descend in a controlled manner.
  • 3.5. Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of descent site to minimise risk.
4. Demonstrate belaying technique.
  • 4.1. Establish belaying position by moving body in relation to belay device that allows effective use of belay system.
  • 4.2. Demonstrate a safe and efficient escape from a belay system, and attachment of belayer to an anchor to minimise movement during a fall.
  • 4.3. Maintain rope tension to ensure fall distance is minimised whilst not restricting abseiler movement.
  • 4.4. Monitor abseiler progress constantly and respond appropriately to abseiler calls.
  • 4.5. Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to the belaying device and situation.
  • 4.6. Demonstrate attachment to alternate belay or safety system when self-belaying to maintain safety in the event of a fall.
  • 4.7. Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of descent site to minimise risk.
5. Evaluate abseiling activity.
  • 5.1. Receive feedback on performance from leader.
  • 5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects of abseiling and belaying.
  • 5.3. Identify improvements for future abseiling activities.
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.
Food and water requirements may include:
range of foods
perishability
packaging.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
emergency procedures
code of ethics.
Hazards may include:
fitting and fixtures
surface irregularities
dangerous animals and insects
slippery surfaces.
Risks may include:
emotional risk
injuries
exhaustion
equipment and misuse.
Artificial surfaces may include:
portable or fixed walls
fixed towers or bridges
indoor or outdoor
single pitch.
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 events
event warnings
synoptic charts.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Equipment may include:
helmets
protective clothing
karabiners
harnesses
gloves
belay device
descender
rope
first aid kit.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Safety checks may include:
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.
Descending device may include:
auto locking devices
circular devices
plate devices
tubular devices
improvised devices
inline devices.
Knots may include:
rethreaded figure 8
figure 8 on bight
friction hitches.
Belay system may include:
top belay
bottom brake
self belay.
Abseiling techniques may include:
expedition abseil
sports abseil
forward rundowns.
Simple obstacles may include:
ledges
overhangs
squeezes
Belay device may include:
plate devices
auto locking devices
tubular devices
figure 8
inline device
Safety Procedures may include:
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.
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:
applies relevant processes to plan for abseiling and belaying activities, and identifies procedures to minimise potential hazards and risks
selects and fits equipment independently and carries out safety checks to ensure effective working order
arranges a suitable communication system with abseiler, when belaying, to monitor progress
negotiates obstacles and hazards during abseiling, and adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise to ensure safety of self and other participants
evaluates and reflects on own abseiling and belaying performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in abseiling and belaying activities on single pitch artificial surfaces, that are of a sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also include access to:
resources and information regarding abseiling and belaying, to accurately plan for the activity
a suitable artificial single pitch abseiling site with simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate abseiling skills
other abseiling participants, to assist with belaying
equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, descending devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners 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:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all abseiling activities
observation of safe participation and demonstration of abseiling and belaying skills, such as communicating with abseiler or belayer to inform of progress
observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment misuse or change in weather or abseiler entrapment
third-party reports from a leader detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOABA303A Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces
SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6057 SROABA002A Apply single pitch abseiling skills on artificial surfaces Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBG03 SISOABS002 Abseil single pitches, artificial surfaces Unit of competency