Candidate: Date: VERTICAL MOBILITY (self-rescue) SKILLS DIAGNOSTIC EXAM Time limit = 45 minutes This exam is designed to identify any gaps that may exist in your knowledge. Missed exam questions may indicate that you require specific refresher training. Poor performance indicates that you are not yet ready to gain a qualification. Each missed exam question must be thoroughly reviewed until competency is achieved. Carefully read each question then choose the most correct answer. This exam must be completed without assistance or access to reference material. Competency can be demonstrated by initially scoring 100%. Q1. You are faced with having to perform an abseil descent with a very heavy backpack. Choose the photo you think indicates the safest technique. [ ] A [ ] B Leave it on your back on descend normally Suspend the pack from your descending system Explain your answer: Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd 1 of 9
Q2. You are preparing to perform a fixed knot bypass during an abseil descent. There are no ledges to stand on to support your weight. You will be performing the bypass from a fully suspended position. Choose the configuration you believe will be most effective in performing the bypass procedure. Explain your answer. [ ] A [ ] B [ ] C [ ] D Explain your answer: 2 of 9 Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd
Q3. You are planning to climb up a fixed rope using slide and grip hitches. You only have two (2) prusik loops available. Choose the configuration you believe will be most effective for ascending the rope. Explain your answer. [ ] A [ ] B Explain your answer: Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd 3 of 9
Q4. Rank each descending/belay system in order of lowest to highest friction (ie, the ease with which the rope will pass through the descending system) 1=lowest friction, 6=highest friction (Provide an explanation why you chose a particular configuration): Explain your answer: Q5. Study the photos carefully. Choose the configuration you believe is correctly configured. Explain your answer. [ ] A [ ] B Explain your answer: 4 of 9 Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd
Q6. Study the images carefully. Which configuration will provide the most friction? What is the name of this particular knot/hitch? Explain your answer. [ ] A [ ] B Explain your answer Q7. You are required to perform a fixed knot by-pass during an abseil descent. Describe the sequence of events required to carry out the procedure and list the equipment resources you will require. There are no ledges to stand on. Note: Assume that you only have two (2) lengths of accessory cord (ie prusik cord) Equipment resources required for knot by-pass during abseil descent: Sequence required to bypass a fixed knot during abseil descent: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.. 10.. 11.? 12.? Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd 5 of 9
Q8. You are required to by-pass a fixed knot while ascending a rope. Describe the sequence of events required to carry out the procedure and list the equipment resources you will require. Note: Assume that you only have two (2) lengths of accessory cord (ie prusik cord) Equipment resources required to by-pass a fixed knot during ascent: Sequence required to by-pass a fixed knot during ascent: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.. 9.. 10.? 11.? 12.? 6 of 9 Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd
Q9. You have commenced an abseil descent only to discover that your rope is too short and does not reach safe ground. You suddenly realised that you only have one (1) x 6mm accessory cord (ie a prusik cord). You forgot to take your ascenders (rope grabs) with you. You do not have access to additional prusik cords or tape slings. There is nobody else nearby and you have no radio communications. Is there a solution to your problem and if so, describe the procedure to solve it? Q10. You are faced with a multi-pitch abseil descent in the dark without a headlamp. At the end of each pitch, you will need to retrieve your ropes so you can rig the next pitch. You have joined two ropes together to provide the maximum possible abseil distance with each pitch. At the end of the first pitch you pull on the ropes to retrieve them but they are stuck. No matter how hard you pull, nothing happens. List at least five (5) possible causes of this predicament. You will be required to discuss your answers. Note: Each of your answers must be clear and easily distinguished from each other. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd 7 of 9
Q11. This question relates to the previous question. In configuring a retrievable abseil system, you will be required to join your ropes together. Choose the knot you believe will be most suitable. You will also be required to identify the name of the knot you chose. Would your answer be different if you knew that you had to pull the ropes over a 90 degree edge from low anchors? Explain your answer. [ ] A [ ] B [ ] C [ ] D [ ] E [ ] G [ ] F Explain your answer: 8 of 9 Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd
Q12. Study the photo carefully. You are required to configure an improvised harness so you can perform an abseil descent. Is the system shown in the photo below acceptable? The term acceptable in this case refers to risk and means as low as reasonably achievable. Explain your answer. [ ] Yes [ ] No Explain your answer: Q13. Study the photos carefully. You need to descend 50m on a retrievable abseil system but your device will only accept a single rope. There is no possibility of forcing 2 ropes into the device. How can you use your device on this system and still retrieve the ropes once you are down? Explain your answer Retrievable abseil system The device you have can only accept a single rope! Explain your answer: (you may also draw symbols and/or diagrams to help explain add your drawings to the retrievable abseil system at left ) Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd 9 of 9
Q14. Study the photos carefully. You are descending a fixed abseil rope which has been re-anchored (rebelayed). What is the procedure for transitioning through a re-anchored position? Which photo indicates the correct configuration? Indicate your answer in the space provided. Explain the process / steps to transition safely through a re-anchored position (add more steps as required). (what additional equipment is needed for the procedure?) 1. 2. 3. 4. [ ] A [ ] B List the equipment items needed to perform a transition through a reanchored position: 1. 2. 3. 4. Q15. This question relates to Q14 above. Under what circumstances would an abseil rope need to be re-anchored? What is the safety advantage of doing this? Explain your answer 10 of 9 Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd
Final score Trainee statement: I declare that I completed this exam paper without the assistance of others. My answers represent my own work and not the work of someone else. I realise that I may owe a duty of care to others and that my knowledge and skills may be critical in times of difficulty or in emergencies. Trainee signature: Date: Vertical Mobility diagnostic exam VER 1.6 01/July/2017 Copyright PACI Pty Ltd 11 of 9