Getting started
Registration for the Abseil Module is automatically added to your account when you register for the Climbing Wall Instructor scheme.

Abseiling from purpose built structures is a popular activity for groups and many climbing walls have their own platform or tower. This module is all about learning to set up and manage an abseil, building on the skills you will learn through the Climbing Wall Instructor scheme.

Climbing Wall Instructor & Abseil Module candidate handbook

Climbing Wall Instructor handbook
Latest version 1.2 uploaded 12/12/2018
Training
Before you attend an Abseil Module training course, make sure you have done the following:
  • You must be registered on the scheme (see Getting started)
  • You must be registered on the Climbing Wall Instructor scheme and have completed the training course.
  • You must have experience of at least 5 abseils from more than one location.

Abseil Module training lasts for 4 hours and will be run by one of our approved providers in the UK or Ireland. Normally this will be part of a Climbing Wall Instructor training course, although occasionally it is run as a stand alone module. A variety of cost packages are available depending on what's included; food, accommodation etc. so you can choose one that's right for you.

The Syllabus

Abseil Module holders should be competent in the following key areas, all of which will be covered, to a greater or lesser extent, during your training course.
  • Technical Competence (including equipment, belaying, abseiling)
  • Management and Decision Making (including planning, magaging participants, managing other staff, decision making and knowledge and demonstration of techniques)
  • Teaching and Learning Skills
Detailed information on each of the above topics can be found in the candidate handbook and the onus is on you to be competent in all of them by the time you come to assessment.

Consolidation The period between training and assessment ((often referred to as the consolidation period) varies in length for each person and is an opportunity to develop your skills, paying particular attention to any weaknesses identified during the training course. You can use the excuse 'I'm preparing for assessment' to visit the wall as much as you like!

The Mountain Training Association

Join the Mountain Training Association and be part of a community of like-minded people on our schemes. The Association offers a range of workshops for trainee and qualified leaders and coaches across the disciplines, as well as a quarterly magazine, gear deals/discounts, a monthly newsletter and an insurance deal. You can join the Association at any point after you have registered on one of Mountain Training's leadership/coaching schemes.

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The Book - Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing has been written specifically for people working their way through Mountain Training's climbing schemes and it's packed with colourful diagrams, photographs and simple language. It covers the full spectrum of modern climbing practice including movement skills, knots, bouldering, sport, trad and indoor climbing as well as risk management and problem solving.

Rock Climbing

Buy now
Assessment Before you attend an Abseil Module assessment course, make sure you have done the following:
  • You must have attended an Abseil Module training course
  • You must have passed the Climbing Wall Instructor assessment
  • You must have observed or assisted on a minimum of 5 abseil/top-rope sessions.

Assessments are run by one of our approved providers and a variety of cost packages are available, depending on what's included; food, accommodation etc. so you can choose one that's right for you.

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