Skills for Land-based Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
Practical Skills Assessment
Definitions: What are control measures, a risk assessment, a hazard, and a risk?
Control measures: Control measures include actions that can be taken to reduce the potential of exposure to
hazard, or the control measure could be to remove the hazard altogether. Or the control measure could
reduce the likelihood of the risk of the exposure to the hazard being realised.
Risk Assessment: A risk assessment is a systematic method of looking at work activities, considering what
could go wrong and deciding on suitable control measures to prevent loss, damage or injury in the work place.
Hazard and Risk: A hazard is anything that can cause harm to people or damage to property, and a risk is the
chance, high or low, that somebody will be harmed by the hazard.
Diary of Activity: Indoor Wall Climbing
On the 14th March, 21st March and 28th March, I took part in my first activity – indoor wall climbing. Over the 3
sessions, we went through equipment safety, how to fit a harness, knot tying, climbing technique and how to
belay. The photos provided on the last page are proof of my involvement in this activity.
Diary of Activity: Orienteering
On the 16th March, 23rd March and 30th March, I took part in my second activity – orienteering. In groups of 3
or 4, we took turns map reading and navigated our way through central park finding a series of orienteering
posts. Each week the route increased in difficulty, and we were given about 45 minutes to complete each
route. The photos provided on the last page are proof of my involvement in this activity.
Skills and Techniques: Indoor Wall Climbing
Personal Technical Abilities: For wall climbing, efficient movement is the first personal technical ability. This is
key to climbing both indoor and outdoor, to avoid wasting energy and also to avoid injuring yourself or
anybody else. Different grades of climbing are another technical ability – a person’s ability can be shown easily
by the grade of wall they are climbing. These are either sorted into colours or numbers, and in my case, they
were sorted into colours. A beginner climber may start with a yellow route, or a 4, or even a mixture of holds
from two routes. They can then work their way up through the colours or levels. Levels are often accompanied
by a letter, for example 4a, 4b, and 4c. Level of proficiency can also show a person’s technical ability. All
climbers aim to increase their proficiency level, with a beginner having a reasonably low level due to the fact
they are new, and they will lack the basic skills when they first start. They may need verbal assistance or a
fellow climber next to them to help because of this. On the other hand, a proficient climber will be able to
tackle harder climbing routes indoors and outdoors without any assistance. So as climbing ability increases, so
does personal proficiency.
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