Description

Pre-requisites

• PUAFIR209B Work safely around aircraft

Performance Criteria

1. Prepare operational rappel equipment

1.1. Rappel equipment is selected and prepared in accordance with the organisation’s requirements
1.2. Appropriate rappel and safety equipment is donned in accordance with the organisation’s requirements
1.3. Pre flight checks on clothing and equipment are undertaken in accordance with the organisation’s requirements
1.4. Damage to rappel or safety equipment is reported to the relevant supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal

2. Load rappel personnel and equipment into helicopter

2.1. Rappel personnel, rappel and operational equipment is weighed and recorded
2.2. Pilot is informed of weights
2.3. Equipment is secured into helicopter under pilot’s or flight crew member’s supervision
2.4. Seat position is assumed and seatbelt secured
2.5. Instructions are obtained from pre-mission brief with clarification of objectives and procedures sought where required
2.6. Pre-flight safety brief is conducted

3. Prepare to rappel from hovering helicopter

3.1. Rappel rope is attached and checked by dispatcher
3.2. Movement to helicopter skids is undertaken as directed by dispatcher
3.3. Pre-descent checks are conducted in accordance with the organisation’s requirements
3.4. Emergency procedures are conducted as required
3.5. Rappel rope is disconnected by rappeller and landing area is cleared in accordance with the organisation’s requirements
3.6. Dispatcher emergency commands are responded to in accordance with the organisation’s requirements

4. Rappel from hovering helicopter

4.1. Departure from skids is performed as per dispatcher commands and the organisation’s procedures
4.2. Rappel rope descent is in accordance with the organisation's requirements
4.3. Landing is conducted in accordance with the organisation's requirements
4.4. Rappel rope is disconnected and landing area cleared in accordance with the organisation’s requirements
4.5. Emergency procedures are conducted as required
4.6. Dispatcher emergency commands are responded to in accordance with the organisation’s requirements

5. Retrieve rappel and fire fighting equipment

5.1. Area is cleared in preparation for retrieval of rappel and firefighting equipment in accordance with the organisation’s requirements
5.2. Equipment is connected and retrieval is conducted in accordance with the organisation’s requirements

6. Perform maintenance on rappel equipment

6.1. Equipment is inspected and required maintenance performed in accordance with the organisation’s or manufacturer’s requirements
6.2. Damage to fire and rappel equipment is reported to relevant supervisor for repair, replacement or disposal

Key Competencies

Communicating ideas and information

• Communicate ideas and information to reporting procedures (verbal and written) 

Collecting analysing and organising information

• Collect, organise and understand information related to recognising and reporting situations

 Planning and organising activities 

• Plan and organise activities which implement and follow standard procedures 

Working with others and in teams

• Work with others and in a team by assisting and cooperating with team members 

Using mathematical ideas and techniques 

• Use mathematical ideas and techniques to document and report numbers for emergency procedures

Solving problems 

• Establish diagnostic processes which recommend improvements for OH&S issues

Using technology 

• Use workplace technology related to the use of technology to assist with safe work practices

Range Statement

Rappel and safety equipment must comply with

• organisation’s requirements and relevant Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations

Helicopter rappelling only conducted for purposes of

• remote area fire suppression and training

Rappels only conducted from

• helicopter types specified by the agency

The pre-flight safety briefing will be given by either

• pilot or rappel dispatcher

The pre-mission briefing will be given by either

• rappel crew leader or Operations Officer

Equipment for rappelling will include

• full body harness
• static Kernmantle rappel ropes
• agency specific descender device
• steel karabiner
• agency coveralls
• protective helmet
• earmuffs
• chin strap
• goggles
• hook knife
• rappel gloves

Rappel descents will be affected by

• slope
• vegetation type
• canopy height
• wind

Emergency procedures include

• rappeller caught in tree
• rappel rope caught in tree
• engine failure
• damaged or kinked rope
• descent or landing injury
• loss of rappel control during descent
• aborted operation
• emergency retrieval

Evidence Guide

Critical Aspects of Evidence

It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in:

• operating in accordance with OH&S procedures, legislative and operational guidelines
• correct procedures and techniques for sequencing and controlling rappelling, braking, landing and disconnecting
• pre-rappel checks and equipment donning procedures
• appropriate communication processes with crew persons and rappel dispatcher including demonstration of emergency hand signals
• equipment maintenance and inspection techniques for all rappel equipment

Underpinning Knowledge

• safe work practices when working in or around helicopters
• organisation’s operational rappel policy
• key roles and relevant responsibilities of helicopter crew including rappel dispatcher
• emergency procedures
• characteristics and operating principles of rappel equipment

Underpinning Skills

• operation of rappel equipment in accordance with the organisation’s operational procedures
• helicopter safety

Resource implications

• rappelling equipment and materials
• personal protective and safety equipment
• an area to conduct operations
• helicopter
• briefing reports and organisation’s procedural documentation
• appropriate personnel
• emergency information

Consistency in performance

• Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments
• Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
  • codes of practice
  • hazard policy and emergency procedures
  • adherence to briefing instructions
  • procedures relating to safe use of equipment
  • house keeping procedures
  • following organisation’s procedures
• action taken promptly – accidents and incidents reported within regulatory and organisation’s requirements
• work completed systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment

Context of assessment

• To be assessed verbally and by multiple practical demonstrations in a number of scenarios
• All rappel operations are conducted under pilot and rappel dispatcher supervision. Each rappel descent once commenced is conducted without supervision