Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Operations may be for:
checking and removing tangles from vessel propeller
checking underwater equipment
collecting lost tools and equipment, dead animals and debris
collecting sea animals:
abalone
bivalve molluscs
beche-de-mer
corals, live rock or other invertebrates
crayfish and lobsters
sea urchin
seaweed or algae
collecting sediment or other environmental samples
eradicating or removing predators
installing, servicing and maintaining ponds, cages, longlines and associated equipment
tending aquacultured or held (display) animals
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
biodiversity and genetically modified organisms
biosecurity, translocation and quarantine
Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and other import requirements
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody
health and welfare of aquatic animals
Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
maritime and occupational diving operations, safety at sea and pollution control
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
OHSguidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
clean, uncluttered, hygienic workplace
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE
ESD principles may include:
applying animal welfare ethics and procedures
controlling effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
controlling weeds, pests, predators and diseases, and stock health maintenance
improving energy efficiency
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
maintaining biodiversity by sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing use of non-renewable resources
reducing energy use
reducing interactions with native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas
reducing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material
using and recycling of water, and maintaining water quality
PPE may include:
buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
protective eyewear, glasses and face mask
protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
respirator or face mask
safety harness
sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
uniforms, overalls or protective clothing (e.g. mesh and waterproof aprons)
waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders)
Essentialequipment may include:
decompression equipment:
depth gauge
shot-line
spare air
watch
diving suits:
dry
warmed
wet
self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA)
surface-supplied breathing apparatus (SSBA)
safety and emergency:
first aid kit
oxygen
bail out bottle
weights, tools, fins, mask, buoyancy apparatus and catch bags
Major components of diving equipment are checked for:
presence, suitability and operability of:
vessel equipment
diving equipment
safety and emergency equipment
pre-dive conditions
diving conditions
post-dive conditions
Occupational hazards may include:
aquatic animals
entanglement
isolation of the dive site
other vessels
sharp objects
water character:
clarity
current
temperature
weather
underwater terrain
Occupational hazards can be assessed by:
identifying causes
listing hazards
predicting potential for and likelihood of hazards
Records may include:
air quality checks
catch, location and number of dives
diving equipment maintenance
manually recorded or dive computer data:
air use
clarity
current
dive duration
entry and exit times
injury
maximum depth
temperature
Procedures may relate to:
pre-dive
dive
post-dive
maintenance
shore diving
vessel diving
Physical condition may include:
burns
decompression sickness:
factors affecting predisposition
hypothermia
hyperventilation
lung or ear drum barotrauma
near drowning, drowning and saltwater aspiration
poisoning, toxicity and narcosis resulting from:
carbon monoxide
carbon dioxide
oxygen
stings and wounds inflicted by marine animals
shock from bleeding
squeezes
Assistance may be:
first aid
from external sources
routine
using radio or electronic communications equipment
Decompression procedures may include:
ascent rate
diving physics:
partial pressures in gas mixtures
pressure-depth relationship
pressure-volume-temperature relationship for gasses
flight time exclusion
pressure-solubility relationship for gases
repetitive group
safety stops
surface interval

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
stow and maintain diving equipment, and identify and rectify basic faults
assist personnel conducting diving operations to perform work in the fishing, aquaculture or ornamental/display sectors of the seafood industry
devise and implement systems and procedures that reduce underwater hazards
maintain a surface supply of air to the diver
maintain a watch to identify hazards, assess the hazards and take appropriate action
record and access diving information
respond to emergency situations and access assistance as required

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
content of the pre-dive plan that forms the basis of dive briefings
decompression procedures
hazards associated with the operation
physics as it relates to gas laws
symptoms and signs of diving medical conditions
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:
a realistic but predictable diving environment with assistance at hand
diving equipment as listed in the range of variables
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
demonstration
practical exercises
project (work or scenario based)
written or oral short-answer testing
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.