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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Conduct an abseil experience in an artificial or selected natural site 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262302  Conduct an abseil experience in an artificial or selected natural site 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Adventure Based Learning 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 11 - Services Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is aimed at individuals involved in the planning and conducting of abseiling activities in a limited range on artificial climbing walls, building wall structures, indoor climbing walls, high ropes courses and selected natural rock areas suitable for abseiling in the outdoors with fixed anchoring points. Abseiling is conducted for recreational purposes or as one of the selected recreation activities in an Adventure-Based Learning programme offered to groups and individuals.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Select, fit and use abseiling equipment.
  • Set up a controlled abseiling site.
  • Apply correct abseiling techniques.
  • Apply safety procedures. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner is competent in:
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3.
  • Communication at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Select, fit and use abseiling equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Appropriate personal equipment is identified for use and fitted correctly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Descending device appropriate to the situation is chosen and attached to the rope. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Knots are used that are suitable to the anchors, belay system and descending device. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Equipment is used in a manner that minimises damage to the gear and environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Personal equipment safety checks are competently performed before, during and after use. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Set up a controlled abseiling site. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Abseiling set up is limited to artificial climbing walls, building indoor walls, high ropes courses with abseil walls, selected natural sites with in situ fixed anchor system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Holding areas are identified for a limited range of situations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Releasable abseil system is set up to facilitate problem solving. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    In situ abseil and belay system independent anchor systems are utilised and checked in accordance with bolying criteria and guidlines. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Multiple anchor points, appropriately rated components, sharing of load between anchor points.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Connection systems are connected to sound accordding to points to minimise the load on each fixed anchor point. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Safety checks are performed on in situ abseiling; belay anchor systems and approaches in accordance with bolting criteria and guidlines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    A belay system is used to protect against loss of control. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply correct abseiling techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Abseiling communication calls that are appropriate to the situation are used. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Single and double rope descent techniques are used to vary the friction on the rope. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Releasable abseil and other techniques are applied in a timely and efficient manner in the event of a rescure on artificial abseiling walls. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Obstacles to the descent are negotiated in such a way as to ensure the safety of the participant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The pitch is descended in a controlled manner to ensure the safety and comfort of the participant. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Appropriate techniques are demonstrated to minimise damage to the environment while abseiling. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply safety procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Appropriate equipment is selected and used in line with safety requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes but is not limited to helmets, protective gear, harnesses & ropes.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Participants are alerted to the types of hazards, which can be encountered while abseiling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Techniques to reduce risk while abseiling are identified and applied at all times while abseiling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Strategies are used to safeguard client during approaches to other participants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Procedures are implemented at top and bottom of descent site to ensure participant safety. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Holding areas return route, safety checks.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Effective communication is used to implement safety systems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Systems to record equipment use are implemented to ensure proper and regular maintenance thereof. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Equipment use, capabilities, limitations and care.
  • Belaying techniques and devices.
  • Abseil etiquette.
  • Safety.
  • Emergency Planning.
  • Environmental preservation.
  • Ethics.
  • Communication.
  • Route selection.
  • Rope handling. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problems encountered during setting up an abseiling site are identified and responsibly solved using critical and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork is displayed when working effectively within a team, to safely establish an abseiling site. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management are evident when available time and resources are used responsibly to carefully plan and effectively to complete the task. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation is used when collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information in order to establish a safe abseiling site. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication is employed when participants are alerted to the types of hazards, which can be encountered while abseiling. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use of science and technology is required when using knots that are suitable to the anchors, belay system and descending device. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    It is recommended that learners attempting this unit standard should demonstrate novice level abseiling proficiency in the following environments:
  • Artificial climbing walls (indoor or outdoor).
  • Building wall structures.
  • Indoor climbing walls.
  • High ropes courses.
  • Selected natural rock faces with fixed anchoring points. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65569   Further Education and Training Certificate: Adventure Based Learning  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.