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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Perform abseiling from fixed platforms 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
376365  Perform abseiling from fixed platforms 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Special Combat Capabilities 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Sovereignty of the State 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  5 
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 will provide learners with the basic skills and techniques required to perform abseiling from fixed platforms.

The achievement of this unit standard will contribute to the personal development of members in the special operations environment and further mobility and transportability within the civilian environment of emergency services, adventure based training and mountaineering.

This unit standard in conjunction with the unit standards "Perform Fast Roping from Rotary Wing Aircraft" and "Perform Repelling from Rotary Wing Aircraft" prepares learners to successfully take part in helicopter operations for the purpose of maintaining peace and security in the RSA.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Apply the relevant safety aspects.
  • Apply rope work knots.
  • Utilise anchor systems.
  • Demonstrate the various abseiling techniques. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply the relevant safety aspects. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Personal equipment is assessed for safe use by inspecting hardware and software for cracks, discolouration and stitching. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The emergency procedure while being stuck on a rope due to a rope obstacle and a friction device failure is explained in a structured scenario. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The emergency procedures in terms of rectifying equipment failure and obstacles in the rope are demonstrated while being hooked up. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The duties and responsibilities of the safety man are explained as it applies to rope work operations from fixed platforms. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply rope work knots in day light and dark conditions. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Rope work knots include but are not limited to:
  • Stoppers (Overhand, figure 8, figure 9).
  • Loops (figure 8, figure 9, double figure 8, bowline, alpine butterfly).
  • Bends (sheet bend, double fisherman's knot, reef knot, tape knot).
  • Shortenings (sheep shank).
  • Hitches (clove hitch, Italian hitch, prussic knot three wrap classic, French prussic, bachman, klemheist). 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The use of rope work knots are discussed regarding relevance during rope work operations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Rope work knots are tied for use during rope work operations. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Utilise anchor systems in day light and dark conditions. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Anchor systems include but are not limited to:
  • Tensionless hitch.
  • Two point load sharing.
  • Three point load sharing. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The equipment required to establish the appropriate anchor system is identified taking terrain and safety into consideration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    An appropriate anchor system is established within the given time frame stipulated by the assessment, and making use of the appropriate hardware. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An improvised anchor system is established making use of software and one connector within the time frame stipulated by the assessment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The rigging of anchor systems is demonstrated taking critical angles into consideration to ensure a safe descent. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The various anchor systems are explained for use during a descent. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The complete anchor system is inspected for safety which includes the equalising the system, connectors closed, rope protectors in place and safety knots. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate abseiling in day light and dark conditions, with and without equipment from a minimum height of ten meters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The abseiling technique is demonstrated from a fixed platform according to a scripted scenario. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • 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 will assess 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.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any relevant assessment agency, assessor or provider institution, which is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Equipment required for conducting abseiling operations.
  • The application of safety during abseiling.
  • The duties and responsibilities of the safetyman during abseiling.
  • Differentiate between the various knots and abseiling techniques.
  • Differentiate between the uses and applications of the various anchor systems that can be used during abseiling. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community whilst the learners safely abseils as individuals or within a team while taking their fellow team members into consideration. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively by preparing themselves, their environment and their personal equipment for rope work operations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual and language skills in modes of oral and written persuasion by effectively communicating by means of visual and oral commands during abseiling descents during the execution of urban operations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others by applying science and technology to ensure the safe execution of abseiling during urban operations. 

    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 
    Definitions:
  • Software: All rope work equipment that is made of material/webbing (e.g. ropes, slings, harnesses).
  • Hardware: All rope work equipment that is made of hardened materials (e.g. helmet, connectors, and friction devices). 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  78263   National Higher Certificate: Special Combat Capabilities  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    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.