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: 

Use ropes to support tactical operations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
115330  Use ropes to support tactical operations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Visible Policing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 
2004-12-02  2007-12-02  SAQA 1057/04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-12-02   2011-12-02  

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 for specialised policing units in the field of safety in society who need to execute policing functions and tasks in high risk and dangerous situations where specialised training and equipment is needed. This unit standard will contribute towards compliance with tactical and safety of organisational requirements of operations.
Persons credited with this unit standard will be able to:
Prepare rope for rappelling
Rappel down a rope
Recover ropes and equipment 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Chopper trooping and dispatching
Radio Communication
Map reading and GPS
Tactical Movement that includes climbing techniques. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
Rope techniques to approach an object during dangerous situations that include (but is not limited to) arresting and apprehending dangerous criminals; execution of high risk warrants, hostage situations (excluding high profile situations) or any situation where specialised equipment or training is required. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Prepare for rappelling. 
OUTCOME RANGE 
Buildings in rural and urban environment, multi entry assaults, dangerous suspects, organised crime and hostage situations, suicides. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
Equipment is chosen that is suitable for the specific task. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Equipment includes but is not limited to
Seat harness
Ropes types of ropes
Karabiners
Figure 8 descenders
Slings
Gloves
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
Equipment is checked for damage. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Equipment logbook is checked for special notes. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Anchor points that are strong enough to hold at least 400 kg's are identified. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
Two anchor points are used to anchor the rope. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
A safety rope is secured on a separate point to that of the main rope. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
The harness is fastened according to manufacturers specifications 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8 
Ropes are secured according to safety principles and organizational operating procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 9 
The descender is attached to rope and harness according to manufactures and organizational specifications. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Rappel down cliff or man- made structure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
The edge is approached with descender attached and hand on lose end of rope. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
The lose end of the rope is kept in the strong hand against the buttocks while climbing over the edge of the structure. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Candidate is positioned in sitting position in harness and feet against the wall. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Rappel action is conducted according to organizational procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
Continuous communication is maintained by means of visual contact, using hand signals or radio equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
Candidate is prepared to react to an attack from any direction while on the rope. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
The surprise element is not comprised during movement by making noise. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Recover and maintain rope work equipment. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
All equipment is recovered from anchor points and persons. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
All equipment is checked for damages 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
Rope is coiled according to organizational procedures 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
Equipment is stored according to organizational requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
Record is kept for the use of the equipment according to organizational procedures. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
1. Candidates are assessed against these assessment criteria. An assessor observes currently employed candidates carrying out their normal work duties. They may also be asked to carry out simulated tasks and to answer written and/or oral questions. Candidates studying towards a Unit Standard, and who are not currently employed, will also be assessed using variety of assessment tools.
2. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
3. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
4. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures

The standard describes competent performance in doing physical techniques that will enhance their job performance, and lay down the criteria by which competence should be judged, as well as the range of circumstances in which competence should be demonstrated. 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
1. A comprehensive understanding of equipment specifications.
2. A comprehensive understanding of safety procedures.
3. A comprehensive understanding of chopper trooping procedures. 

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
Creativity needs to be developed by measuring learner's performance to the principles rather than a specific technique.

Technology ability in using equipment such as GPS, radios, and special equipment.

The following policing specific outcomes must be assessed;
1. Courage to take risk and even put own life at risk to save others.
2. Discipline to accept instructions and policy
3. Physical ability to do the job (includes fitness and health required to move in the field with the sections without putting themselves in danger). 

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
N/A 


Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
High emphasis is placed on problem solving ability during exercises. Exercises and scenarios have a variety to ensure problem solving ability is developed and not stereotyped step that the person cannot apply in practice.

Decision-making must be developed in this standard during practical exercises. Learners must be left to make their own decision, which must be debriefed. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
Ability to be a team player in order to establish synergy during joint operations and in teams. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
Organize one self and ones activities while preparing personal equipment and plan own tasks for operational actions. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
Collect, evaluate, organize and critically evaluate information during policing task, interpret it to determine safe action that comply to legal and policy requirements. 

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
Understand the world as a set of related systems by understanding the consequences of illegal or public unacceptable use of force actions and decisions. 

UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
N/A 

UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
Integrated assessment methods and tools will allow the candidate to demonstrate that she/he has acquired knowledge of and can safely and effectively apply competence identified in this unit standard.

These tools include the following:
  • In-site (on-the-job) observations
  • Role-play simulations
  • structured group discussions
  • written reports (e.g. tests, exams, case studies, projects, registers, logbooks, workbooks)
  • Verbal report backs (presentations)
  • Portfolios of evidence
  • Projects (physical visits to Government Departments)
  • Experiential learning
  • Working in teams
  • Scenario sketching

    These methods must be carefully selected based on the purpose of the assessment (For example, the written method of assessing knowledge or on-job demonstration of practical competence). The assessment must integrate a number of different methods in order to give the assessor reliable and valid proof of competence and evidence of required attitudes.

    Supplementary information

    Specified requirements

    Specified requirements include legal and legislative specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:
    Criminal Procedure Act
    Constitution Act
    South African Police Service Act
    A glossary of terms about the terminology of Tactical movements
    Context specific
    Organizational policies and procedures regarding Tactical Movements 

  • QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  48865   National Diploma: Policing  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered" 
    2007-12-02  Was SAS SETA until Last Date for Achievement 


    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.