Abseil Supervisor Scheme

Prospectus

Introduction

 

The Abseil Supervisor Scheme provides training and assessment for those who are in a position of responsibility when supervising abseiling. It is suitable for those who work on a voluntary or professional basis.

 

Scope

The scheme is primarily concerned with good practice leading to the safe enjoyment of the activity.

The scheme does not cover:

 

·       the skills needed to approach and retreat from mountain crags;

·       access to any location where escape is not easily possible from the top or the bottom of the abseil site;

·       abseils that involve intermediate stances.

 

Completion of a training course alone, without taking an assessment course, is not a qualification in itself, although it may be of considerable benefit to the trainee.

Developed by Chakarinet

Stages

 

The scheme comprises of:

 

1.      registration and the issue of a log book;

2.      two training courses comprising of:

Level 1: three days;

Level 2: one day, addressing the special requirements of long abseils;

3.      further experience gained during a consolidation period;

4.      a one day assessment course comprising of theory and practical components;

5.      continuing experience entered in a logbook.

 

Registration        

 

Candidates wishing to register must:

·     be not less than 18 years of age;

·     have completed an introductory rock climbing course or;

·     have completed an introductory abseiling course or;

·     provide the Director of Training with a record of sufficient abseil experience;

·     have a genuine interest in abseiling and the supervision of groups;

·     complete the registration form and enclose the appropriate fee.

 

 

Training    

On completion of registration and once in possession of a Mountain Logbook, Abseil Supervisor Scheme insert, the candidate must attend a three day training course run by an approved and accredited course provider [1] [2].

The training course is for potential supervisors and assumes basic competence in abseiling. It will emphasise those skills which the candidate might have difficulty in learning without expert guidance.

The director of training will endorse the appropriate page(s) in the logbook.

 

 

Logbook

 

Experience gained by the candidate should be recorded in the logbook. Entries should be concise, easily read, and should include abseiling, rock climbing, supervising and other relevant experience.

The log book is divided into five sections and includes:

Exemption Candidates who already have substantial experience of abseiling and the supervision of groups abseiling may apply for an exemption from the training course.

 

Candidates who wish to apply for exemption from stages two to four must be able to demonstrate exceptional previous experience. Applications for exemption must be made in writing to the Convenor of the Accreditation Committee.

 

Abseiling   For the purpose of this award, abseiling is defined as a controlled descent on a rope:

 

·     not exceeding 60-m in length;

·     without the use of intermediate stances;

·     allowing the participant to be lowered to the ground at all times.

 

Further, the environment should be non-serious and present little objective danger, with no difficulties of approach or retreat.

 

Long Abseils For the purpose of this award, long abseils are defined as exceeding 60-m but not exceeding 150-m in length.