Learning Program
Title of Program
Short course in abseil skills
Aim of program
To learn how to abseil on a two rope belay system
To learn how to belay on a two rope belay system
How to prusik and tie a prusik (2 metres up and down)
How to tie 3 hitches (clove, italian and girth)
Participant requirements/ prerequisites
Students to be selected by the school
Lesson 1
Desired Learning Following this lesson participants will:
Outcomes ● Have an understanding of the safety requirements (helmets,
harness, calls, SOPs, cliff safety)
● Know how to tie a rethreaded figure 8
● Know how to put rope through an 8 device (staying
connected)
● Know the basics of abseiling and belaying
● How to tie a prusik
●
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 1 of 11 Last revised:
01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
Prefered teaching Oval or Gym at the school
environment/ Venue
Teaching materials (Enough materials for each participant)
and preparation Helmets
required Harnesses
Figure 8 on Carabina
Prusiks
Ropes (for knots)
ATC’s
Kit for systems
Printouts of knots
Instructional EDIP, DEDICT, Split into groups and have stations,
methods used
Duration of lesson 90mins
Lesson Session 1 Icebreaker - Jockey up Jockey Down
Sequen Similar to Simon Says
ce Time taken
5mins
Session 2 Instruct how to fit PPE - Head to toe check, Helmet & Harness
● Have everyone collect a Helmet, Harness & Fig 8 device
Time taken ● Gather in a circle have students follow as you instruct
10mins ● Place on the ground in front of you the harness and helmet
“turtle up” we want happy turtles not sad turtles.3
● Head to toe check - Hair, Jewellery, things out of pockets,
enclosed shoes
● Take the helmet and explain about the adjust at the back of
the helmet and under the chin. To be firm not too tight
● Harness - take the waistband and hold in front of you make
sure the Sydney Harbour Bridge is up in front and the leg
loops are not twisted. Step into the harness through the waist
loop. First tighten the waistband then the leg loops
Session 3 How to tie in and out for abseiling
Have 2 setups
Time taken
15mins Rethreaded figure 8 knot
● Ask if anyone has tied this knot before. If so they can help
teach other participants after your demonstration
● Demonstrate first the simple figure 8 then the rethreaded on
your own harness
● To allow a 50cm excess
● Get them to then give it a go and walk around answer
questions and see how they go (get them to come and
inspect closely for each step)
● Give another demonstration if needed
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 2 of 11 Last revised:
01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
● Dress the knot
● Proceed to then play a rethreaded figure 8 relay
Session 4
Have 2 setups
Abseil line through 8 device (stay connected) frying pan
Time taken or snowman method
30mins ● Get them to tie a rethreaded figure 8 knot before learning the
8 device
● Demonstrate the process talking it through (put the rope in
the belly of the snowman and around his neck) (Rabbit up
the hole and around the tree)
● Get everyone to try it making sure the 8 device stays
attached (getting students to come and see up close)
● Explain the figure 8 device can become very hot & burn
● Demonstrate how to remove the 8 device without touching it
● Demonstrate again if needed
● Have students practice on an abseil line running down the
rope
SAFE
● Explain that this is what you say when you have reached the
ground and you feel safe (get them all to say safe)
OFF ROPE
● Demonstrate how you would untie the rethread figure 8
● Demonstrate how you would take the rope out of the 8 device
● Then you would explain that you would call off rope when
both ropes are off of your harness
Session 5 Prusiking
Tying a double fishemans
● Demonstrate how to tie double fisherman's knot
Time taken ● Have laminated sheets available
20min
Classic prusik
● Demonstrate in smaller groups how to tie a classic prusik
onto a rope hanging from a fence or tree
● Pull on the rope and let it jam
● Break up into work stations have participants practise tying a
classic prusik to the rope
● Prusick tug of war
● Split group into 2 teams they all ties classic prusiks and lock
them off hands off then tug of war!
Session 6 Give a talk on what to expect on the Friday out at Mt. Buffalo
● Clothes, hat, inclosed shoes
● Water bottles, lunch and snacks
Time taken ● Sunscreen
5mins
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 3 of 11 Last revised:
01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
Add or
delete rows
to suit
Indicators that
outcomes have been ● Have an understanding of the safety requirements (helmets,
achieved harness, calls, SOPs, cliff safety)
(assess?) ● Know how to tie a rethreaded figure 8
● Know how to put rope through an 8 device (staying
connected)
● Know the basics of abseiling and belaying
● How to tie a prusik
WHS considerations Sunburn & Heat
Rope safety
Strategies to deal Set expectations early
with Behavioural Leave behaviour management to teachers
issues
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 4 of 11 Last revised:
01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
Field Excursion
Desired Learning Following this excursion participant will be able ……..
Outcomes ● Know how to practice safety requirements (helmets, harness,
calls, SOPs, cliff safety)
● How to tie a prusik
● How to ascend and descend a rope using a classic prusik
● How to tie 3 hitches (Clove, italian, girth)
● How to belay an abseiler
● How to abseil
Prefered teaching Natural rock cliff
environment/ Venue
Teaching materials (Enough materials for each participant)
and preparation Helmets
required Harnesses
Figure 8 on Carabina
Prusiks
Ropes (for knots)
ATC’s
Kit for systems
Printouts of knots
Instructional EDIP, DEDICT, Split into groups and have stations (abseiling,
methods used belaying, prussiking and tying hitches)
Duration of lesson 10am- 3pm (5hrs)
Lesson Session 1
Sequen Welcome
ce
Time taken Warm up game- Ah KAH SO (ball of energy)
10 mins
Split group into 4 small groups (abseiling, belaying, prussiking and
tying hitches)
Gather students around and gain their attention
Housekeeping
● Acknowledgement of country & traditional landowners
● Shelter
● Water
● Food
● Toileting
● Timings
● First Aid
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 5 of 11 Last revised:
01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
Session 2
Safety Briefing
● Sun protection
Time taken ● PPE- recap Helmet, Harness, footwear
10-15 min ● Cliff Safety
● Snakes and wildlife
Session 3 Helmet & Harness fit refresher
● Have everyone collect a Helmet, Harness & Fig 8 device
● Gather in a circle have students follow as you instruct
● Place on the ground in front of you the harness and helmet
Time taken “turtle up” we want happy turtles not sad turtles.3
10 min ● Head to toe check - Hair, Jewellery, things out of pockets,
enclosed shoes
● Take the helmet and explain about the adjust at the back of
the helmet and under the chin. To be firm not too tight
● Harness - take the waistband and hold in front of you make
sure the Sydney Harbour Bridge is up in front and the leg
loops are not twisted. Step into the harness through the waist
loop. First tighten the waistband then the leg loops
Session 4 How to abseil
Instruct on a practice slab
● HHCA
● Walk over to the Instructor
Time taken ● Stand in position with abseil rope on right or left side
1hour depending on which had you right with
● Tie abseil rope into Figure 8 device
● Final HHCA
● Release Safety rope
● Stance, slowly step backwards and lean back into your
harness
● SOP’s (calls etc.)
Practice slab
● Rotate participants. Once they have practised & ready, move
to real abseil
1st Real Abseil
● When Students feel ready they can have a go at the real cliff
abseil with correct procedures.
● Leaders conducting SOP’s
Session 5 How to belay
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 6 of 11 Last revised:
01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
Belaying practice first on slab
Belaying (2nd abseil) on cliff
Time taken ● Get ready like in the above lesson for abseiling however
1 hr explain from the belayers perspective the rest of the process
remains the same participants hook in etc.
● Explain the atc and how it works forward and lock off position
● Get students to attach to the belay line
● Get students to get their abseiler organised and check they
are hooked in correctly (leader to check)
● Get belay student to do the calls ‘On belay’ ‘Abseil when
ready’
● Leader ensures they still have hold of the rope
● Abseiler is despatched calls safe and off rope
● Belayer then resets the abseil
Session 6 Prusiking (ascend 2 metres)
● Refresh on tying a prusik if needed
● Gather everyone in a group to demonstrate how to ascend a
Time taken rope using 2 classic prusiks
1hr ● First prusik at head height attache to harness
● 2nd prusik at waist height attach to harness
● Attach a 3rd prusik to the 2nd prusik as the foot loop
● Ascend 2 metres
● Then demonstrate the reverse to descend
Session 7 Hitch tying
Clove hitch-
Time taken ● Demonstrate how to tie it around something and slip over
30 min method
● Have laminated sheets to show how the knots are tied
● Give examples of how this knot can be used eg.
● For the master point in a fixed rock climbing anchor. Can also
connect a personal anchor.
● By placing the knot on the spine of a carabiner you create a
biner block that securely blocks against a rapid.
● In solo climbing (as it is safe for self-belaying on a biner) and
for rappel transitions.
● Hoisting.
● For tying bandages (arm slings) in case of injuries and for first
aid..
● In hammock hanging systems.
● To set up teepees.
Munter/Italian Hitch
● Demonstrate how to tie it around something and slip over
method
● Have laminated sheets to show how the knots are tied
● Give examples of how this knot can be used eg.
● Rock climbing
● Caving
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 7 of 11 Last revised:
01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
● Abseiling
● Rescuing by forming a part of a life-lining or belay system
● Helps de-ice the rope in frozen conditions.
● Lowering climbers
Girth
● Demonstrate how to tie it around something and slip over
method
● Have laminated sheets to show how the knots are tied
● Give examples of how this knot can be used eg.
● Building tree anchors for tree climbing.
● To join two loops. However, since the loss of strength is a
concern here, you can either apply the above square knot
version or better use a carabiner instead of the hitch.
● To set up top rope anchors for climbing. You can also use it to
sling in your camera.
● Anchoring slacklines.
Session 8 Debrief
Sit/Stand in a circle and ask some of the following:
Time taken ● How did today go?
30min ● How do you feel you worked as a group?
● What would you do differently next time?
● How did you contribute to the success of the group?
● What specific instances did being different help or hinder the
group from reaching its objectives?
● What did you learn about other group members?
● What did you learn about yourself?
● Describe in one word how you felt about the day.
● Did you have fun?
Add or
delete
rows to
suit
Indicators that ● Can abseil safely
outcomes have been ● Can belay and abseiler
achieved ● Students can tie clove, girth & Italian hitch
(assess?)
WHS considerations Cliff Safety, Trips & Falls
Sunburn & Heat
Rope safety
Wildlife safety
Strategies to deal Set expectations early
with Behavioural Leave behaviour management to teachers
issues
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 8 of 11 Last revised:
01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 9 of 11 Last revised:
01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
Program Revision History
Date Modifications, improvements Reason
1/11/2019 Original version Prior to first time lessons delivered
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 10 of 11 Last
revised: 01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
End of learning program
Specific Delivery Details, additional information to accompany
Learning Program (will be different every time its run)
Lesson 1: Specific Delivery Details
When (date/ time) 18/11/19
Where (location) Wodonga Senior Secondary
Who (Instructors and Katrina
amount of participant/ Jaymee
age) Jemma
24 Participants 15-16 years of age
Field Excursion: Specific Delivery Details
When (date/ time) 22/11/19
Where (location) Mt Buffalo
Who (Instructors and Jaymee Manns
amount of participant/ Katrina Copeland
age) 28 participants
A4.2-Learning Program- Short course in Abseil Skills 11 of 11 Last
revised: 01/11/2019
Names: (Jaymee Manns & Trina Copeland)
