Elements and Performance Criteria

Range Statements
The Range Statements provide advice to interpret the scope and context of this unit of competence, allowing for differences between enterprises and workplaces. The Range Statements relate to the unit as a whole and helps facilitate holistic assessment. In addition, the following variables may be present for this particular unit of competency

RANGE STATEMENT
CATEGORIES
Buddy system
system where scuba divers dive in pairs, maintaining physical or visual contact at all times
Emergency out of air techniques
[all categories]
alternative air source assisted ascent
controlled emergency swimming ascent
Entry and exit from water
[all categories]
off-shore
off dive boats
Factors affecting site selection
[all categories]
environmental conditions
hazards
access
level of skill
First aid
[all categories]
near drowning
hypothermia
hyperthermia
barotrauma
cramps
exhaustion
stings or bitesfrom marine creatures
Hazards
[all categories]
squeezes
barotrauma
panic
nitrogen narcosis
decompression illnesses
contaminated scuba air
hypothermia
hyperthermia
Industry accepted dive safety limits
[all categories]
include factors such as
ascents
descents
safety stop
bearings or reciprocal bearings
dive calculations and planning
time
depth
air supply monitoring
monitoring equipment
Industry technical and safety criteria
[knowledge of at least one category]
as documented in the standards and procedures of accredited training agencies such as
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI)
Scuba Schools International (SSI)
National Association of Scuba Diving Schools (NASDS)
Australian Underwater Scuba Instructors (AUSI)
British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)
Physics and physiology
[all categories]
include concepts relevant to
pressure/volume/density relationships
temperature
buoyancy
respiration
Scuba dive equipment
[all categories]
fins, mask and snorkel
adequate exposure protection appropriate for the local diving conditions, eg, wetsuit/drysuits)
compressed air cylinder and valve appropriate for the dive
buoyancy control device (BCD)with low pressure inflator
regulator, alternate air source, submersible pressure gauge, compass, timing device and depth gauge (or computer which indicates depth, time and air supply)
weight belt and weights (the weight system may be built into the buoyancy control device (BCD))
knife or diver's tool
dive flag where appropriate
emergency signalling device
slates
Self and buddy rescue techniques
[all categories]
surface swimming
relieving cramps
equipment removal
establishing buoyancy
calling for assistance
buddy secured and towed 15 metres
in-water expired air resuscitation (EAR)

The Evidence Guide identifies the critical aspects, knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. This is an integral part of the assessment of competence and should be read in conjunction with the Range Statements

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm sufficient knowledge of diving theory, diving equipment and industry practices and safety criteria
Assessment of performance should be overa minimum of two (2) differentdives covering the prescribed number of categories of the RangeStatements that are applicable in the learners environment
In particular, assessment must confirm the ability to
apply knowledge of diving theory and practice to safely dive and perform dive rescues
plan and evaluate a safe diving activity
calculate repetitive diving activities using no-decompression tables
participate as part of a buddy pair/team in an open water dive at depths not less than 5 metres and not to exceed 18 metres for a period not less than 20 minutes
complete a safety stop at 5 metres for 3 - 5 minutes
not ascend at greater than 18 metres/mi
Interdependent assessment of units
This unit must be assessed after attainment of competency in the following unit(s)
SROOPS002B Plan for minimal environmental impact
SROODR002A Plan outdoor recreation activities
This unit must be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)
Nil
For the purpose of integrated assessment, this unit may be assessed in conjunction with the following unit(s)
Nil
Required knowledge and skills
Requiredknowledge
Physics and physiology
direct effects of pressure
buoyancy
pressure/volume relationships
air consumption
how pressure affects density
how pressure affects air spaces
indirect effects of pressure
ingassing and offgassing
decompression sickness
nitrogen narcosis
oxygen toxicity
carbon monoxide toxicity
hypo/hyperthermia
Decompression Illness (DCI)
ingassing/offgassing nitrogen
residual nitrogen
dive planning to avoid DCI
signs and symptoms of DCI
first aid
Effect of diving environment on scuba activities
tides
currents
waves and surf
water conditions
visibilities
entry and exit points
bottom conditions
marine life
Non-decompression dive tables
Selection and preventative maintenance of scuba equipment
Diver first aid, and missing diver procedures
Underwater communication systems
Factors affecting the planning of safe diving activities
Requiredskills
Select, check, assemble, and don equipment
Pre-dive gear check for self and buddy
Entries and exits
Remove and replace weight belt on surface
Remove and replace equipment on surface
Give, recognise and respond to underwater signals
Dive with minimal impact on environment
Ability to swim 100 metres on the surface wearing scuba equipment
Mask and regulator removal, recovery and replacement
Use of buddy system
Buoyancy control
Underwater navigation (natural and compass)
Emergency procedures
tired diver assist
sharing air
controlled emergency swimming ascent
unconscious diver rescue
Resource implications
Physical resources - assessment of this competency requires access to
suitable scuba dive locations with open water
scuba equipment
mask
fins
snorkel
gas cylinders
regulator
buoyancy control device (BCD)
weights
exposure suit
Human resources - assessment of this unit of competency will require human resources consistent with those outlined in the Assessment Guidelines. That is, assessors (or persons within the assessment team) must
be competent in this unit but preferably be competent in the unit at the level above, i.e., SROSCB002A
be competent, as a minimum, in the units SRXFAD001A, SRXRIK001A and SRXEMR001A to ensure adequate risk management during the assessment
be current in their knowledge and understanding of the industry through provision of evidence of professional activity in the relevant area
have attained the mandatory competency requirements for assessors under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) as specified in Standard 7.3 of the Standards for Registered Training Organisations
Consistency in performance
Due to issues such as covering all the safety and rescue implications, this unit must be assessed over a minimum of two (2) different occasions in order to ensure consistency of performance over the complete RangeStatements and contexts applicable to scuba diving
Context for assessment
Competency must be demonstrated in an actual/real scuba dive activity and all relevant aspects of equipment use, dives and rescues should be assessed in an underwater environment (that is, dry land demonstration of competence is insufficient)
Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on required knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a 'period of time' and/or in a 'number of locations', any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons

KEY COMPETENCIES
Collect, Analyse&Organise Information
Communicate Ideas&Information
Plan&Organise Activities
Work with Others&in Teams
Use Mathematical Ideas&Techniques
Solve Problems
Use Technology
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
These levels do not relate to the Australian Qualifications Framework. They relate to the seven areas of generic competency that underpin effective workplace practices.
The three levels of performance (1, 2 and 3) denote the level of competency required to perform the task:
Use routine approaches
Select from routine approaches
Establish new approaches
Collecting, analysing and organising information - Collecting information on duration and depth of dive(s) and organising it in a log book
Communicating ideas and information - Communicating with dive buddy during dive
Planning and organising activities - Planning number of dives, depths and duration
Working with teams and others - Diving with a buddy
Using mathematical ideas and techniques -Calculating no-decompression limits
Solving problems - Dealing with out-of-air situations
Using technology - Using dive computers to record details of dive
Please refer to the Assessment Guidelines for advice on how to use the Key Competencies.