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.