Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Assess may include:
number and condition of people
contributing factors
hazards and risks
first aid or treatment required.
Dive incident may include:
near drowning
hypothermia
cramps
choking
running low on air
entanglement
conscious or unconscious
decompression illnesses
barotrauma
nitrogen narcosis
contaminated air
minor aquatic life injuries.
Industry technical and safety criteria may include:
British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
SCUBA Schools International (SSI).
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations
marine regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
communication protocols
code of ethics
minimal impact codes.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
group management
partial and or changing pressure
temperature and weather extremes
rough conditions
rocks and reefs
water depth
entanglement
disorientation
squeezes
barotrauma
aquatic animals and plants.
Others may include:
diver or divers to be rescued
rescuers or instructors
other divers.
Rescue may include:
ascent
searches
equipment removal
rescuee breathing
tows
calling expert assistance
exits.
Equipment may include:
SCUBA diving equipment
navigation equipment
search and rescue equipment.
Underwater search techniques may include:
linear
circular
U pattern
jack stay
expanding square.
Action may include:
marking diver's position
freeing diver
providing more gas
bringing diver to the surface
making diver buoyant
carrying out continuous artificial respiration
attracting help
towing the diver to a boat or to land.
Treatment may include:
danger, response, airway, breathing, circulation routine
expired air resuscitation
cardiopulmonary resuscitation
injury or illness or shock related treatment
providing first aid until professional medical help arrives.
Industry standards may include:
Australian Resuscitation Council standards
first aid techniques and standards.
Oxygen equipment may include:
demand valve or free flow systems
face masks
regulator and cylinder
flow rates.
Oxygen use standards may include:
equipment modifications
explosion
fire
handling
charging
testing.

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 and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
assesses the dive situation for hazards and risks to self and others before formulating a suitable rescue plan
identifies and applies underwater search and rescue techniques according to the situation
monitors diver's condition and applies first aid treatment according to industry criteria, organisational policies and procedures and relevant legislation
evaluates and reflects on search and rescue performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple open water rescue activities that are of a sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
an open water SCUBA dive site suitable for simulated dive rescues
suitable participants to take part in underwater rescues
a suitable diving boat, if required
dive, navigation and search and rescue equipment.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of emergency diving situations and open water rescues
observation of safe demonstration of search and rescue techniques according to legislative and organisational requirements
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.