Single Pitch Award (SPA) training

Transcription

1 Single Pitch Award (SPA) training The Single Pitch Award is all about supervising safe climbing and abseiling sessions on single pitch crags. Whether you're a parent, a volunteer or an outdoor centre instructor, the Single Pitch Award has been designed to maintain high standards of supervision so that people can enjoy safe sessions in this increasingly popular sport. This is a two day course but please arrive for a 6.30pm start before the first full day of your course in order to permit introduction and administration time without compromising the practical days. Prerequisites for the training course Mountain Training requires that all candidates are registered prior to commencing the course, Before you book onto a Single Pitch Award training course, make sure you have done the following: You must be registered on the scheme and have an account on Mountain Training s Candidate Management System You must have led 15 routes on single pitch crags using leader-placed protection You must also be a member of a Mountaineering Council (the British Mountaineering Council, Mountaineering Council of Scotland or Mountaineering Ireland). If you haven t already registered then you need to visit to complete this process. NB: If you do not meet any of the above minimum prerequisites you are not eligible for this course. If in doubt, check with us first. It is the candidate s responsibility to ensure that they are aware of and meet the minimum requirements for this qualification. Digital logbook Please ensure you have entered your minimum prerequisites in your digital logbook at the time of confirming your place on the training course. Course content The course follows the Single Pitch Award syllabus and a sample course programme is attached. REVISIONS MAY OCCUR TO TAKE ACCOUNT FOR WEATHER AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, WHILST STILL SATISFYING THE SPIRIT AND DETAIL OF THE SCHEME. Single Pitch Award holders should be competent in the following key areas, all of which will be covered, to a greater or lesser extent, during your two day training course.

2 Group management and supervision Organisation Supervising sessions Group management Risk assessment Technical competence Equipment Anchors Belaying Abseiling Personal climbing skills Background Knowledge The Climbing Environment Access Conservation Professional codes and ethics Detailed information on each of the above topics can be found in the Single Pitch Award handbook and the onus is on you to be competent in all of them by the time you come to assessment. Single Pitch Award suggested training course programme Evening 1: 6.30pm-10pm Please meet at our HEVERSHAM site in the Farleton room. This will be your base throughout the course. Course introductions and administration Climbing wall use we will use a local wall (entrance fee required) Day 1 9am start. Mountain Training presentation Pathway to qualifications Stages in the scheme Scope of the scheme Explanation of the minimum requirements prior to assessment Course Programme

3 Explanation of Mountain Training/Mountain Training Association/Mountaineering Councils Visit an appropriate crag Suitable equipment to use and how to use it appropriately How to manage and organise a group at a crag Appropriate methods of personal safety at crag Top/bottom rope systems using a mix of appropriate anchors Group abseil How to avoid and solve problems How to engage and teach climbing skills Current access guidelines Current conservation practises An awareness of etiquette at the crag Climbing history, ethics & traditions Syllabus points from the Single Pitch Award handbook Evening Visit to climbing wall Equipment A range of belay devices/techniques appropriate to different situations Personal climbing skills How to manage and organise a group in a wall Syllabus points from the Single Pitch Award handbook Day 2 9am start Explanation of the responsibilities of a group leader Introduction to digital logbook

4 Weather interpretation Visit a second appropriate crag Feedback How to manage and organise a group at a crag Personal climbing skills including personal abseil Consolidate Top/bottom rope systems and group abseils Current conservation practises An awareness of etiquette at the crag Climbing history, ethics & traditions Logbooks and personal action plans Consolidation period and assessment outline Syllabus points from the Single Pitch Award handbook The above information is not exhaustive and we would encourage you to familiarise yourself with the SPA syllabus on the Mountain Training website ( If you have any questions about this or any other course please feel free to contact us at Dallam on or at outdoors@dallam.eu. Equipment At this level it is expected that candidates have most of their own equipment. Trainees are encouraged to bring any personal climbing gear they have it provides excellent grounds for discussion and debate. Dallam has comprehensive stocks of climbing hardware and we will be using Dallam ropes. The following list is a suggestion of what you should bring: Personal climbing clothing Approach shoes Rock boots Harness Helmet Climbing rack 1x50m dynamic climbing rope (single)

5 1x50m static rope Personal first aid kit and personal medication Waterproof jacket Waterproof trousers Water bottle/flask Food for the day Notebook and pen Useful websites Insurance Mountain Training has full public liability insurance, but the advice is for you to take out your own personal accident/cancellation insurance. If you already have insurance cover, check that it covers you for the activity you are undertaking. Recommended is the British Mountaineering Council: Refund Policy: Due to high staff/student ratios and the highly disruptive effect of late withdrawals, any course cancelled within 30 days of the start will incur loss of fees. If you have any concerns regarding your ability to participate in a course on which you have enrolled we strongly advise you to take out appropriate insurance. Dallam is not in a position to indemnify clients against any illness, injury or other misfortune which may affect attendance. If a course has to be cancelled by the centre a full refund will be given.