Abseiling - Activity
Student skills
Students must be instructed in the use of the safety equipment including harnesses, helmets and descending devices.
Proper belaying technique and back-up belaying technique must be taught. The responsibility of belaying must be emphasised. All student belayers must have a belay backup. A belay backup normally consists of another student holding, or also belaying, the belay rope. Belayers must be vigilantly monitored by staff.
Equipment
Students must be instructed in the use of the safety equipment including harnesses, helmets and descending devices.
Equipment must be in a safe condition and suitable for the activity. A log of use of all climbing equipment should be maintained by the owner.
Proper belaying technique and back-up belaying technique must be taught. The responsibility of belaying must be emphasised. All student belayers must have a belay backup. A belay backup normally consists of another student holding, or also belaying, the belay rope. Belayers must be vigilantly monitored by staff.
Belay devices
Use only belaying devices that are in good working order and meet Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme (UIAA) standards or Comite Europeen de Normalisation (CEN) or the Australian equivalent.
Friction devices
Friction devices offer varying amounts of friction and ease of use. Staff must be familiar with the device intended to be used in a school program and be familiar with their characteristics when used with people of different body weights.
Harnesses
Harnesses that meet EN 12277:1998 or the equivalent UIAA or Australian standards and are in good working order must be correctly fitted and secured. Students and staff must be vigilant in ensuring that harnesses are correctly refitted between sessions or after removal.
Helmets
Helmets that meet UIAA standards or equivalent CEN (EN 12492) or Australian standard must be worn by all students and staff when rock climbing or in the vicinity of the rock face.
Ropes
Approved abseiling ropes are rated as either single (1) or half (1/2) ropes and are normally 50 metres in length. Static ropes (10 mm to 11 mm) are ideal for abseiling. Half ropes are not to be used as the abseil rope. However, dynamic single ropes (10 mm to 11 mm) can also be used for abseiling. Either single (10 mm to 11 mm) or half (8.5 mm to 9 mm) dynamic ropes can be used as belay ropes.
Abrasion of abseil ropes frequently occurs where ropes rub against the cliff. Rope protectors or padding are recommended and help prolong rope life. The protector must be rigged to ensure it cannot be dislodged onto the abseiler or increase the likelihood of dislodging rocks.
Attachment of the abseil rope to the harness is the single most important skill in abseiling. The belay rope should be secured to the abseiler with a return figure-of-eight knot and the descending device attached with a screwgate karabiner.
First aid kits
First aid kits appropriate to the location and level of training must be carried.
Clothing
Clothing is the individual’s primary protection against extreme and variable weather conditions. Clothing lists need to be appropriate for the activity, the environment and the season.
Gloves may be used at the discretion of the instructor.
Special shoes are not necessary for abseiling. Sturdy runners or boots with pliable rather than stiff soles are adequate. Participants must wear shoes at all times.
Glasses should be secured and long hair tied back so as not to be caught in belay device or other equipment. Loose jewellery should not be worn and rings should be taped if not removed.
To protect against sunburn use broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreen on all exposed parts of the body, applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Hats must not be worn under helmets.
Identification
Staff and students must be easily identifiable. Staff must determine the most suitable system/s of identification, based on the assessment of the environment, students’ skills, the type of activities to be undertaken and the age and number of students.