SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD: 

Provide a guided single pitch abseiling experience of less than 60 metres 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
9283  Provide a guided single pitch abseiling experience of less than 60 metres 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Tourism Guiding 
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  20 
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 
The qualifying learner achieving this unit standard in combination with a generic standard will be able to create and conduct a Guided Single Pitch Abseiling experience of less than 60 meters, that entertains and informs visitors.

This unit standard in combination with other context expertise standard(s) will enable the qualifying learner to be a competent Abseil Guide. In addition they will be well positioned to extend their learning and practice into other areas of tourism, or to strive towards guiding standards and practice at higher levels.

Competent qualifying learners in Abseil Guiding will provide safe and quality experiences and thus strengthen the profession and tourism in general. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The ability to communicate effectively in spoken English will be an advantage as this is, in most cases, the medium of communication. It is assumed that a learner attempting this unit standard will show competence in communication and numeracy equivalent to NQF level 4.

A learner aspiring to complete this unit standard must be in possession of a Level 2 First Aid certificate. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Guides to the scope and complexity of the specific outcomes and essential embedded knowledge are provided in ranges/points beneath each. These are prefaced by "for example" since they are neither comprehensive nor necessarily appropriate to all contexts. Alternatives must however be comparable in scope and complexity. These are intended only as a general guide to scope and complexity of what is required. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Set up the abseiling site. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Choose appropriate and suitable venues
  • Choose suitable takeoff and landing areas.
  • Set up fixed and releasable abseils.
  • Perform releasable abseil techniques.
  • Choose suitable anchors and connect the equipment to them.
  • Comply with access requirements.
  • Identify holding areas.
  • Choose and care for a variety of suitable equipment.
  • Perform safety checks and identify safe approaches. 

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Choose an appropriate and accessible venue. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Check take-off and landing point for suitability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Use safe and suitable anchors to connect equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Use technical and natural anchors correctly. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Use locking karabiners or opposed gate Karabiners. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Identify and demarcate Gear, Pre and Post holding areas. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Complete fixed and releasable setup correctly and safely. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Undertake a complete safety check of the site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
    Demonstrate selection of correct equipment and correct care for the equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 10 
    Demonstrate set up on a natural crag. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 11 
    Demonstrated set up on man-made feature. (Building etc). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 12 
    Ensure safety in difficult approaches in a suitable manner. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Instruct the abseiling process. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Demonstrate correct style and posture and instruct these to clients.
  • Instil confidence and brief clients.
  • Perform safety checks and solve common abseiling problems. 

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Explain process and equipment to clients. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Demonstrate correct style and posture. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Demonstrate smooth controlled descent. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Complete calm confident abseil. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Perform safety checks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Resolve common problems in demonstration. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Belay the client. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Fit appropriate equipment.
  • Arrest and hold a fall.
  • Use a variety of belaying techniques.
  • Manage the rope and perform lowers.
  • Solve common belay and abseil problems. 

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Fit appropriate equipment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Arrest and hold a fall. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Use a variety of belaying techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Manage the rope and perform lowers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Solve common belay and abseil problems. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Supervise a group on site. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Set-up effective communication systems and manage the effect on other site-users.
  • Care for equipment and comply with any manufacturer's recommendations of use, storage and maintenance there of.
  • Manage the impact on environment and control spectators or other outdoor users.
  • Safeguard the return to the top or bottom. 

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Set-up effective communication systems and manage the effect on other site-users. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Care for equipment and comply with manufacturer`s recommendations re-use, storage and maintenance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Manage the impact on environment and control spectators or other outdoor users. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Safeguard the return to the top or bottom. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Deal with emergencies. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Tangles, jam's and inadverted locking.
  • Stuck and panicking abseilers.
  • Carry out assisted evacuations such as pick offs. 

  • ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Resolve tangles, jams and inadvertent locking. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Assist stuck and panicking abseilers. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Carry out assisted evacuations such as pick offs. 


    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The qualifying learner is able to demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of:

    1. Belaying techniques and devices.
    2. Danger of inappropriate clothing.
    3. Effective methods of recording the activity in a log book.
    4. Emergency Planning.
    5. Environmental preservation issues.
    6. Hygiene and disposal of waste in the outdoors environment.
    7. In situ anchor points and sling points.
    8. Local rescue structures and support.
    9. Single and multiple anchors.
    10. The moral obligation & responsibilities towards clients.
    11. Usage policy of mountainous and other utilised areas.
    12. Use and limitations of equipment as well as recommendations as to its care, storage & maintenance. 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Set up the abseiling site.
  • Supervise a group on site.
  • Deal with emergencies. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Team work relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Set up the abseiling site.
  • Instruct the abseiling process.
  • Supervise a group on site. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management relates to all specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Set up the abseiling site.
  • Deal with emergencies. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication relates to the following specific outcomes:
  • Instruct the abseiling process.
  • Supervise a group on site. 

  • UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use of science and technology relates to all specific outcomes. 

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Values

    Demonstration of the knowledge and skills outlined in this unit standard must be consistent with the principles of:

    1. Respecting the natural and cultural environment.
    2. Accepting and maintaining a non-discriminatory attitude towards diversity including, for example: differences in gender, race, religion, physical ability and culture.
    3. It is expected of an individual to demonstrate a high level of personal, moral and professional integrity.

    Assessment

    Assessment should include a logbook as part of a portfolio of evidence gained.

    1. Good leadership and social skills should include good judgement and decision-making ability.
    2. Must show the ability to work under pressure.
    3. The assessment of safe practice must be of paramount importance.

    Supplementary information

    As a general indication, the knowledge and insight expected at this level is unlikely to be obtained without at least 20 days of abseiling experience of which 5 must be under supervision of someone holding this unit standard in a variety of areas and sites, including man made structures. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    NONE 


    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.