Many adventure operators and school camp venues offer abseiling as one of their activities. Learn how to select a site, set up an abseil, manage a group throughout an abseil and prevent the occasional problem along the way (or solve the ones that you couldn't prevent).
You need to be fit enough to:
Carry all your equipment
Ascent back up whatever height you have abseiled
An additional piece of advice is that you really should be able to do at least 1 pull-up!
Please note that assessment is NOT included in this course, nor is it included in the course costs. If you require assessment than you will need to arrange it as a separate event once you have consolidated the skills.
Before you are permitted to undertake assessment you must be over the age of 18 years old and must be in possession of a valid first-aid certificate.
The format for the assessment is:
A written theory exam of 100 marks. The pass mark is 60%
You must set up and run a group abseil. This includes the briefing and management of your group. You must prevent the most obvious problems such as hair becoming entangled in the device, and you must be able to solve any of the problems that the assessor creates for you as part of the scenario, within a reasonable time-frame.
Selection, capabilities, limitations, use, inspection, care and storage of:
Rope and accessory cord
Harnesses
Helmets
Belay and abseil devices
Anchoring equipment
Accessories
The legal environment
Access control models
Risk management
Leave No Trace and environmental impact
Physics for anchoring
Anchoring considerations
Anchoring techniques
Anchor system inspection
Abseiling
Locking off the abseil device
Ascending
Changing between abseil and ascent and vice-versa
Passing knots on abseil and on ascent
Fall factors
Impact force
Types of belays
Belay techniques
Communication
Site selection
Group briefing
Setting up fixed and retrievable abseils
Group management
Managing safety and preventing problems
Using the releaseable abseil to solve problems
Use of the Z-Haul to solve problems
Pick-off rescues
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INCLUDED |
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Use of all abseil equipment for the duration of the course |
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Training handbook |
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Any permit fees for off-site training |
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One pair of prussik loops to keep after the course |
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EXCLUDED |
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Transport to of from class |
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Accommodation |
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Appropriate clothing |
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Meals. |