24664 Respond to Non-Routine Situations and Perform Rescues When Using High Ropes Courses

Guidance Information

1Simulations may be used for assessment against this unit standard.

2Definitions

Non-routine situations include taking action to remedy problems with belay systems (eg performing belay equipment retrievals, performing belay escapes, resetting belay ropes).

Emergency can include incidents related to first aid/health, environmental, rescues.

Belay systems include belay cables, cable pulleys, rapid links, shear reduction devices, belay ropes, lanyards as applicable to the elements.

Leading edge climbing is where conventional fall protection or an overhead belay system is not available. Climbing in this environment will require the use of alternative techniques and anchors.

Personal fall arrest system includes a double lanyard system with a dynamic component sufficient to limit the maximum arresting force on the person to 4.0 kN when used with a seat harness and to limit the free fall distance to no more than 1.83 metres.

3Before a candidate is assessed against this unit standard it is recommended that they have logged a minimum of 20 hours of supervised experience practicing responding to non-routine situations and performing rescues on high ropes courses.

4All activities must comply with any relevant environmental, legislative and/or regulatory requirements set out in New Zealand Environmental Care Code; New Zealand Water Care Code; Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Compensation Act 2001; and their subsequent amendments. The New Zealand Environmental Care Code is available from the Department of Conservation, Head Office, PO Box 10420, Wellington and at http://www.doc.govt.nz/.

5There are minimum assessor requirements for the assessment against this unit. The details of these requirements are available on the Skills Active Aotearoa website

Outcomes and performance criteria

Outcome 1

Demonstrate knowledge of high ropes course emergency procedures.

Performance criteria

1.1Policies and operating procedures to avoid non-routine and emergency situations are described.

1.2Policies and operating procedures related to emergency situations are described.

Rangeemergency situations include – first aid/health, environmental, rescue.

Outcome 2

Demonstrate knowledge of high ropes course emergency equipment.

Performance criteria

2.1Emergency equipment required when operating a high ropes course is identified and possible applications described.

Rangemay include – personal fall arrest system, cable pulleys, ropes, steel karabiners, belay devices, slings, Prusiks, harnesses, helmets, rope-cutting equipment, rope pulleys, Etriers, Jigger.

2.2Equipment required for belay equipment retrieval is assembled and assembly explained.

Rangescenarios include – a traversing element, a non-traversing vertical element.

2.3Equipment required for evacuating a climber requiring assistance is assembled and assembly explained.

Rangescenarios include – a climber who has accidentally ‘clipped-in’ to a
permanent piece of hardware such as a staple or cable, a climber who has become ‘stuck’ on a fully tensioned/non-releasable rope or lanyard.

Outcome 3

Demonstrate knowledge of high ropes courses and belay systems.

Performance criteria

3.1High ropes course structures are inspected prior to use and inspection is explained.

Rangeat least 3 elements of a high ropes course;

structures may include – nut eye bolts, cables, cable terminations (strand vises, thimbles, cable grips, swages, serving sleeves), poles/trees, staples, ground attachment points;

explanation includes – how to inspect, what it will look like if incorrect/damaged.

3.2Safe anchor points for leading edge climbing are identified.

3.3Belay system is inspected prior to use and inspection is explained.

Rangebelay system may include – belay cables, cable pulley, rapid links, shear reduction devices, belay ropes, lanyards;

explanation includes – how to inspect, what it will look like if incorrect/damaged.

3.4Belay equipment is inspected prior to use and inspection is explained.

Rangebelay equipment may include – ropes, harnesses, karabiners, helmets, belay devices, lanyards;

explanation includes – how to inspect, what it will look like if incorrect/damaged.

Outcome 4

Demonstrate an ability to access all parts of a high ropes course using leading edge climbing.

Rangepersonal safety maintained, correct use of equipment, efficient use of time and energy.

Performance criteria

4.1A personal fall arrest system is used to climb and descend a high ropes course.

4.2Appropriate equipment is used to traverse an element.

Rangeincludes – passing a fixed point on a belay cable.

Outcome 5

Demonstrate an ability to respond to non-routine situations.

Rangesafety of self and others maintained, correct use of equipment, efficient use of time and energy.

Performance criteria

5.1Belay equipment is retrieved.

Rangescenarios include – a traversing element, a non traversing vertical element.

5.2Belay escape is completed.

Rangescenario includes – transferred under load without releasing the load.

Outcome 6

Demonstrate an ability to perform rescues for climbers requiring assistance.

Rangesafety of self and others maintained, correct use of equipment, efficient use of time and energy.

Performance criteria

6.1An emotionally traumatised unwilling climber is coached along the element or back to the ground.

Rangemust include – clear instructions to climber; clear instructions to other participants on the ground; use of empathetic language.

6.2A climber who has accidentally ‘clipped-in’ to a permanent piece of hardware such as a staple or cable is assisted to get back to the ground.

Rangeclimber is responsible, willing and able to help themselves but is without specialist expertise or equipment, assistance is available from other people on the ground.

6.3A climber who has become ‘stuck’ on a fully tensioned/non-releasable rope or lanyard is evacuated.

Rangeno other assistance is available, climber is unwilling and unable to help themselves.

This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.

Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions

This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.