Application

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to descend and ascend vertical pitches in caves using ladders. It also requires the ability to belay ladder climbers during descents and ascents and to self-belay.
It applies to leaders, guides or instructors, who use these skills when leading participants during caving activities. Leadership skills are provided in complementary units.
This unit applies to any type of organisation that delivers outdoor recreation activities including commercial, not-for-profit and government organisations.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
• complete the following ladder climbs in natural caves:
• two descents with a belayer
• two ascents with a belayer
• two self-belayed descents
• two self-belayed ascents
• during each of the above climbs, consistently:
• follow safety procedures and safely negotiate hazards to descend and ascend in a controlled manner
• connect self to belay system using appropriate device and or knots
• complete two additional self-belayed climbs, simulating a self-arrest and self-rescue to complete the climb
• belay ladder climbers according to safety procedures, and complete the following:
• one top rope, top belayed descent
• one top rope, top belayed ascent
• one top rope, bottom belayed descent
• one top rope, bottom belayed ascent
• two simulated climber falls, and safely and efficiently secure and release climbers to continue.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
• organisational safety and emergency response procedures for caving activities
• purpose, features, and correct fit for safety, of personal protective equipment for laddering in caves to include:
• clothing
• footwear
• gloves
• caving helmets
• headlamps
• harnesses of different types, advantages and disadvantages
• features, functions and operation of laddering equipment used in caves:
• carabiners
• maillon rapides
• static and dynamic rope and when each might be used
• tape
• sewn sling
• caving ladders
• personal attachment systems, including cow’s tails
• Prusik cord
• mechanical ascenders
• belay systems:
• top rope top belay
• top rope bottom belay
• self-belay
• belay devices:
• assisted locking
• inline
• plate
• figure 8
• tubular
• improvised
• types of equipment and knots used, and how to tie them, when:
• attaching belay equipment to self
• attaching belay system to anchors
• attaching self to back up belay system for self-belays
• attaching self to anchor
• types of personal and equipment safety checks completed prior to climbing and belaying
• laddering techniques and appropriate posture for:
• descending and ascending caving ladders
• resting on ladders
• self-belayed ladder descents and ascents
• techniques for belaying others during ladder climbs in caves to include those for:
• establishing belaying position for effective and safe use of belay system
• rope handling and maintaining adequate rope tension
• arresting climber falls
• securing climber, tying off belay system and releasing
• reasons for attaching belayer to anchor system when belaying others including:
• minimising belayer movement to retain stable position and stance
• minimising effects of force of climber fall and risk of injury to belayer
• minimising risks of belayer fall
• communication protocols used between climbers and belayers in caves to include:
• calls
• hand signals
• whistles
• typical hazards associated with vertical laddering in caves, and techniques used to safely negotiate these:
• water pools, streams and seepage
• falling rocks, water, debris, gear
• abrasion points
• sharp edges
• vertical squeezes and overhangs
• strong cave breezes
• darkness
• rising waters
• rope and ladder tangles
• broken or damaged rungs
• how to care for laddering equipment during activities to avoid damage, and promote long lifespan
• techniques used to minimise damage to the cave environment when descending and ascending caving ladders.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in a natural cave where ladders are used as part of recreational caving activities.
The following resources must be available to replicate industry conditions of operation:
• first aid equipment
• communication equipment for emergency response
• rescue equipment.
Assessment must ensure use of:
• participants with whom the individual interacts during caving activities
• personal protective equipment to include:
• gloves
• caving helmets
• headlamps
• harnesses
• anchors which can include:
• fixed artificial
• naturally occurring
• artificial removable
• laddering equipment to include:
• carabiners
• maillon rapides
• rope which can include static and or dynamic rope
• tape or sewn sling
• caving ladders
• personal attachment systems, including cow’s tails
• Prusik cords
• mechanical ascenders
• descending devices
• belay devices
• template safety checklists
• organisational safety and emergency response procedures for caving activities.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and:
• have a collective period of at least three years’ experience as a caving leader, guide or instructor, where they have applied the skills and knowledge covered in this unit of competency; the three years’ experience can be part time or full time experience.

Foundation Skills

• {'skill': 'Reading skills to:', 'description': 'interpret detailed and familiar organisational safety and emergency response procedures.'}
• {'skill': 'Oral communications skills to:', 'description': 'use clear and unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communications to make intent known.'}
• {'skill': 'Numeracy skills to:', 'description': 'visually estimate angles, estimate load on ropes and ladders to determine appropriate tension for climbing and belaying.'}

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