Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:31 AM AWST

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Apply climbing skills on natural surfaces

Apply climbing skills on natural surfaces

Unit of competency
National Code
SISOCLN302A
State Code
D6300
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
18/10/2012
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
18/10/2012
Nominal Hours
20
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply climbing and belaying skills to single pitch top rope situations on natural surfaces. This unit relates to independent participation as part of a climbing party. It does not include the competencies required to instruct or guide others or establishing belay systems.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan for the climbing activity.
  • 1.1. Identify and plan food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and 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 climber and belayer on natural surfaces.
  • 1.4. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
  • 1.5. Establish a suitable communication system to use while climbing and belaying with other participants.
  • 1.6. Apply safety procedures at top and bottom of ascent site to minimise risk.
2. Select and utilise appropriate equipment.
  • 2.1. Select and use equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, after consideration of contextual issues.
  • 2.2. Adjust and fit equipment to ensure personal comfort and safety.
  • 2.3. Complete all necessary personal and equipment safety checks prior to commencing climbing and or belaying.
  • 2.4. Demonstrate attachment to a suitable belay system in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations, and apply correct rope handling and knot tying techniques.
3. Demonstrate climbing technique.
  • 3.1. Select a suitable route to climb, inspect the position and quality of features, and interpret the route description.
  • 3.2. Display correct posture and fluent climbing techniques suitable to features and holds.
  • 3.3. Maintain effective communication between climber and belayer throughout climb.
  • 3.4. Apply climbing techniques to minimise injury in the event of a fall or rock fall.
  • 3.5. Locate and utilise rest positions to reduce fatigue.
  • 3.6. Negotiate simple obstacles and avoid or remove hazards to climb in a controlled manner.
  • 3.7. Demonstrate suitable posture for lowering purposes.
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 belay system, and attachment of belayer to anchor to minimise movement during a fall.
  • 4.3. Maintain rope tension to ensure fall distance is minimised whilst not restricting climber movement.
  • 4.4. Monitor climber progress constantly and respond appropriately to climber calls.
  • 4.5. Arrest falls promptly using technique suitable to the belaying device and or situation.
5. Evaluate climbing activity.
  • 5.1. Evaluate relevant aspects of climbing and belaying.
  • 5.2. Identify improvements for future climbing 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:
perishability
packaging
storage.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
operating procedures and company or enterprise policies
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
communication protocols
emergency procedures
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:
falls and slips
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure.
Natural surfaces may include:
cliff
boulder.
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.
Communicationsystem may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles.
Equipment may include:
harness
helmet
climbing shoes
karabiners
belay devices
tapes and slings
rope
chalk bag and chalk.
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 - 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.
Belay system may include:
top belay
bottom belay.
Knot tying may include:
figure eight
bowline
Features may include:
aretes
chimneys
corners
cracks
edges
flakes
jugs
overhangs
roofs
pinnacles
ledges
pockets.
Route description may include:
verbal
written.
Climbing techniques may include:
bridging
layaways
side pulls
laybacking
pinch grips
smearing
underclings
mantle - shelving
crimping
jamming
chimneying
lunging.
Rest positions may include:
an appropriate edge to lean against
ledge to lean against
no hands rest.
Simple obstacles may include:
ledges
overhangs
squeezes
traverses
vegetation.
Belay device may include:
plate device
tube device
auto locking device
body belay.
hitch such as Munter or Italian.
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 climbing activity, and describes suitable route to take
selects and fits equipment independently and carries out safety checks to ensure effective working order
arranges a suitable communication system with climber, when belaying, to monitor progress
negotiates obstacles and hazards during climbing, and adapts quickly to problems or issues that may arise to ensure safety of self and other participants
evaluates and reflects on own climbing and belaying performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple climbing and belaying activities on single pitch natural surfaces to allow the participant to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information regarding climbing and belaying, to accurately plan for the activity
a suitable natural single pitch climbing site with simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate climbing skills
other climbing participants, to assist with belaying
equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, climbing shoes 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 and or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all climbing activities
observation of safe participation and demonstration of climbing and belaying skills, such as communicating with climber or belayer to inform of progress
observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment failure or change in weather
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:
SISOCLN303A Establish belays for climbing on natural surfaces
SISOVTR301A Perform vertical rescues.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
C6105 SROCLN002A Apply climbing skills on natural surfaces Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OBF73 SISOCLM002 Top rope climb single pitches, natural surfaces Unit of competency