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.
Factors affecting site selection may include:
entry and exit points
bottom conditions
aquatic life
environmental conditions
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
manufacturer's recommendations.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
stinging trees and nettles
dense vegetation
group management hazards.
Physics and physiology may include:
pressure or volume or density relationships
temperature
buoyancy
respiration
air consumption
ingassing and offgassing
decompression sickness
nitrogen narcosis
oxygen toxicity
carbon monoxide toxicity
hypothermia.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure
Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology
media
land managers and agencies
costal patrol or coastguard
volunteer rescue
local knowledge
Weather and environmental information may include:
satellite images
daily and weekly forecasts
maximum and minimum temperatures
weather warnings
event warnings
river levels
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Plan may include:
objectives
date, time and duration of dive
site and equipment
suitable buddy
time, depth and air supply limits
safety and emergency procedures.
SCUBA dive equipment may include:
fins
mask
snorkel
wetsuit or drysuits
buoyancy control device (BCD) with low pressure inflator
compressed air cylinder and valve
regulator and backpack
alternate air source
submersible pressure gauge
timing device
depth gauge
no-decompression tables
computer
weight belt and weights
diver's tools
communication equipment
navigation equipment.
Diver's needs and characteristics may include:
age
cultural and situational factors
previous experience and knowledge
physical development
diver's build, weight and lung capacity.
Entries to and exits from water may include:
off-shore
off dive boats.
SCUBA diving techniques may include:
entries to and exits from the water
equipment recovery and replacement in water
buddy system
buoyancy control
underwater navigation
use of a regulator
descending and ascending
equalising pressure
self and buddy rescues
bearings or reciprocal bearings
dive calculations
air supply monitoring
open water diving at depths between 5 and 18 metres for a period of at least 20 minutes
safety stops at 5 metres for 3 - 5 minutes
slowly ascending at a rate that does not exceed 18 metres per minute.
Buddy system may include:
selecting equipment
checking buddy's equipment before a dive
checking depth, time and air supply limits
providing emergency assistance.
Emergency out of air techniques may include:
alternative air source assisted ascent
controlled emergency swimming ascent
tired diver assist
sharing air
unconscious diver rescue.
Self and buddy rescue may include:
buddy secured and towed 15 metres
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.

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:
applies relevant process to select, maintain and fit SCUBA dive equipment and calculates maximum dive time and depth using a no-decompression table
demonstrates a range of safe SCUBA diving and out of air techniques according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
negotiates hazards and risks, and minimises negative impact on aquatic animal and plant life throughout dive
communicates with and monitors buddy's progress throughout the dive and performs self and buddy rescues, including towing in open water
evaluates and reflects on own SCUBA diving performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple SCUBA diving activities to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information to plan and select appropriate equipment for the SCUBA diving activity
a suitable open water SCUBA dive site
a buddy to participate in dive process
a suitable diving boat, if required
SCUBA, navigation, communication and safety 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:
observation of the planning and review process
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of open water SCUBA diving techniques, hazards and risks
observation of safe participation and communication with buddy throughout diving process
written and or verbal self evaluation
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOOPS303A Interpret weather for marine environments.