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Instructor Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is the recognition of competencies someone already holds through experience rather than through a course. This form is a PLAR: it assesses the instructor, not the participant. The section completes it before an instructor delivers the Top Rope Rock Climbing Leader course, and the section's vetting representative signs it.

An instructor who holds a relevant guide association certification fills in only the header block — the certification stands in for the competency-by-competency assessment.

Instructor Details​

Name of Instructor
Date
Location
Section
Section Vetting Representative
note

For an instructor with relevant guide association certification, fill out only the information above and list guiding association affiliation certification. For all other instructor(s) complete the entire form.

ACC Top Rope Rock Leader Competency List (DACUM Course Goals)​

Prior Learning Competency Criteria (Relating to DACUM Related Learning Objectives).

CompetencyPrior learning competency criteria
1. Plan a Top Rope OutingRecent experience planning and organizing a variety of top rope outings for novice and experienced participants.
2. Gather Basic Weather InformationIn depth understanding of weather systems, weather forecasting tools, cloud formation and fronts.
3. Apply Principles of Wilderness Ecology & EthicsIn depth understanding of leave no trace principles and ethics specific to the sustainability of the natural environment and the impacts of human use.
4. Manage a Top Roping GroupRecent experience administering a variety of top rope outings in a variety of locations with varying participant experience levels.
5. Manage Front Country RisksIn depth understanding of front country risks including; dangerous wildlife, noxious plants, rockfall and weather.
6. Manage Clothing & EquipmentStrong understanding of layering systems, outdoor clothing function and body temperature management in the natural environment.
7. Demonstrate Rock Climbing Movement SkillsCompetent and capable of fluidly modeling climbing routes of varying levels of difficulty, on a variety of rock types and requiring a variety of climbing specific movement techniques.
8. Apply Rope Management TechniquesPracticed and technically proficient rope handling and management systems, belaying, knots, and hitches.
9. Construct Climbing AnchorsPracticed and technically proficient anchor building skills and anchor system application.
10. Perform Basic Rock Climbing Rescue and Emergency ResponsePracticed and technically proficient descending systems, rope ascending systems, raising and improvised rescues systems and emergency response.

First Aid and Signature​

Level of first aid
First aid expiry date
Signature of ACC Section Vetting Representative
Where completed forms go

Send the completed form to sections@alpineclubofcanada.ca.

Alpine Club of Canada Top Rope Rock Climbing Leader DACUM​

DACUM — Developing A Curriculum — is a job-analysis method in which expert practitioners map an occupation into its duties and the tasks under each. The chart below is that map: course goals A–K are the duties, the learning objectives beneath them are the tasks, and the ten competencies assessed above are drawn from the same list.

When reading the following course goals and learning objectives, assume that each goal and objective begins with the following phrase:

*By the end of the course/lesson, learners will be able to…

A. Plan a Top Roping Outing​

  • Select a climbing venue
  • Select individual routes
  • Screen participants & select ratios of participants to leaders
  • Ensure participants are prepared and have adequate equipment
  • Communicate trip plan to participants
  • Seek feedback from participants
  • Determine weather forecast
  • Use climbing grades to assist in planning trips

B. Gather Basic Weather Information​

  • Determine the weather forecast
  • Monitor the weather

C. Apply Principles of Wilderness Ecology & Ethics​

  • Convey access and ethics issues to participants
  • Practice low impact / no trace travel
  • Use basic interpretive skills to enhance the knowledge of participants with regard to ecology and history
  • Describe local wildlife issues to participants

D. Manage a Top Roping Group​

  • Administer waivers according to ACC policies
  • Supervise climbers on routes
  • Account for group dynamics in managing a top roping group
  • Use several strategies to resolve simple conflicts

E. Manage Risk​

  • Create an evacuation plan
  • Understand hazards associated with top roped climbing
  • Identify hazards at the site
  • Identify the factors that compromise group safety to enable mitigating action
  • Use several strategies to maintain situational awareness
  • Communicate with participants to determine their risk propensity

F. Manage Clothing & Equipment​

  • Carry out basic equipment maintenance and repair
  • Coach participants on outdoor clothing & layering

G. Demonstrate Rock Climbing Movement Skills​

  • Demonstrate fluid movement skills on rock terrain
  • Motivate climbers
  • Coach rock climbing movement skills

H. Apply Rope Management Techniques​

  • Tie climbing knots
  • Belay a climber
  • Descent a rope by rappelling (including dealing with stuck ropes)

I. Construct Climbing Anchors​

  • Construct top rope anchors using natural and artificial anchor points
  • Use directional anchors

J. Perform Basic Rock Climbing Rescue​

  • Tie off a belay to secure a fallen climber
  • Raise a climber using a simple pulley system
  • Lower a fallen climber in control
  • Ascent a fixed rope

K. Respond to Emergencies​

  • Perform simple first aid
  • Plan for emergency communications

Alpine Club of Canada Top Rope Rock Climbing Leader DACUM, October 14th, 2014.

Last updated on by acc-bri