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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Supervise a low ropes course in an adventure environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262241  Supervise a low ropes course in an adventure environment 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Adventure Based Learning 
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  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 is aimed at individuals involved in the planning and sequencing of adventure activities using low-ropes challenges for personal and social development. The competencies obtained in the unit standard will enable the maintaining of effective safety during the execution of low-ropes courses through the use of spotting and suitable equipment.

Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Apply knowledge of low ropes courses in order to plan a suitable low ropes programme.
  • Prepare a low ropes course to ensure safety of participants.
  • Prepare participants for a low ropes programme.
  • Supervise and conclude low ropes course activities. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner is competent in:
  • Communication at NQF Level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Apply knowledge of low ropes courses in order to plan a low ropes programme. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The objectives to be achieved for the group are determined so as to aid activity planning. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Different type of challenge rope course elements are compared in terms of suitability for different participant groups and objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Independent and circuitous rope course elements are compared in terms of advantages and disadvantages of use and application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Requirements of rope course construction for tree and pole construction are compared so as to provide for safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The factors affecting the achievement of group and individual goals are evaluated in terms of the use of low ropes course elements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Risk reduction strategies are identified for application to minimise injury risk and negative impact on the environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Individual elements and group size are evaluated with regard to environmental impact and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
    Rope Course Elements and interventions are selected so as to finalise a low ropes programme suitable for an identified participant group. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare a low ropes course to ensure safety of participants. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A pre-activity inspection is conducted according to organisational and industry requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Course element maintenance is carried out according to organisational and industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes:
  • Course element maintenance, preparation of additional set-up or equipment for course elements, maintenance activities within own responsibility scope and ability and the referring of maintenance interventions beyond own ability and responsibility to appropriate persons.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Safety and emergency procedures are determined and documented for use at the low ropes course site. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Prepare participants for a low ropes programme. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Spotting techniques are established in support of safety in participation in a low ropes programme. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Spotting technique establishment includes but is not limited to:
  • Explaining the reasons for spotting to participants within the context of safety procedures, demonstration and drilling of spotting techniques, variations of spotting positions and techniques, checking of participant understanding and application of spotting techniques under safe conditions.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Rope Risk techniques are demonstrated so as to ensure safety of participants and the spotter. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Clothing and footwear of participants are checked and rectified to ensure suitability for participation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Risks associated with each element of the course are explained to participants and spotters so as to prepare individuals for participation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Information and instructions to participants are provided in accordance with operating procedures and safety requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Supervise and conclude low ropes course activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Staff assisting in the activity is supervised and the safety of participants is monitored for the duration of the programme. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Non-routine and emergency situations are responded to in accordance with operating procedures and the organisation's requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Activity debriefing is concluded in accordance with activity aims and objectives. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Equipment is dismantled and stored in accordance with operational procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Reports on the use of the course, and suggested maintenance/modifications, are prepared where relevant. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA. 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 assessing 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.
  • External moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Appropriate knowledge of types of challenge ropes course.
  • Function/mode of operation of common equipment used in challenge ropes course construction.
  • Safety issues with respect to low ropes course use.
  • Appropriate knowledge of sequencing.
  • Common practices for the installation of challenge ropes courses in South Africa.
  • Working load limits and tension formula.
  • Relevant international Standards with respect to hardware used in challenge ropes courses.
  • Signs or structural weakness in a tree's crown, roots or trunk.
  • Strategies to reduce environmental impact.
  • Relevant aspects of group facilitation.
  • Programming to achieve participant goals. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Problem solving is required when differentiating between challenge rope courses are identified and responsibly solved using critical and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Teamwork is employed when effectively working with a team to ensure safety of participants. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Self-organisation and management is called for when course operational procedures are determined and used responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Information evaluation is required when information is collected, analysed, organised and critically evaluated in order to supervise the course efficiently. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communication is employed when using visual and language skills to successfully ensure safety during course activities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use of science and technology is employed in the construction and use of the low ropes course. 

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65569   Further Education and Training Certificate: Adventure Based Learning  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    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.