Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comments 

2

DEF12 V2

Layout adjusted. No changes to content.

1

DEF12V1

Primary release.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Operate a surface supply panel 

1.1 Surface supply panel and associated equipment  are inspected for serviceability and all gauges are checked to ensure that they are in-date.

1.2 Main and reserve air supplies are connected to the surface supply panel and supply is confirmed independently from each.

1.3 Seals and connections are checked for integrity, correct function and correct line-up.

1.4 Each umbilical from the surface supply panel is individually confirmed as supplying a specific diver.

1.5 Operator level maintenance  on the surface supply panel is performed at the work site.

1.6 Surface supply panel is de-serviced after use.

2. Conduct dive operations 

2.1 SSBA  is selected, inspected for serviceability, fitted and tested (both out of water and in-water).

2.2 Dives are conducted using SSBA and dive contingencies  are demonstrated.

2.3 SSBA is de-serviced and defects are reported in accordance with organisational procedures.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• conduct buddy breathing
• conduct ditching drills
• conduct lost buddy drills
• conduct unconscious companion diver drills
• fit and check SSBA
• identify distress and illness in others at depth
• inspect SSBA for serviceability and functionality
• monitor SSBA equipment and gauges
• recover and clear mask and mouthpiece
• refurbish SSBA post-dive
• switch from SSBA primary to the reserve air system

Required Knowledge 

• dive physics
• dive physiology and medicine
• general occupational/diving safety awareness
• hazards to the umbilical
• marine animal threats
• marine hazards
• oceanography
• relevant references and Australian Standards
• safe operating ranges for air-supplies
• SSBA dive equipment characteristics and limitations
• surface supply panel characteristics and limitations

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• arrange for others to check equipment maintain equipment during the dive
• conduct in-water checks
• implement contingency and emergency drills including:
• buddy breathing
• ditching drills
• unconscious companion diver drills
• handle non-functional surface control panel items
• handle non-functional equipment items
• operate and maintain the surface control panel during the dive
• prepare equipment for the dive
• prepare the surface control panel for dive
• recover and clear mask and mouthpiece
• refurbish the surface control panel post-dive
• refurbish equipment post-dive
• safely enter and exit the water appropriate to the launch platform, equipment and conditions
• switch from primary to the reserve air system

Consistency in performance 

Competency will be demonstrated over a minimum of 25 (ADAS Pt 2) dives and through the operation of the surface supply panel on four separate occasions that includes the following requirements:

• a range of surface and sub-surface hazards
• current (0–2 knots)
• day and night
• oceans, seas, lakes and rivers
• sub-surface conditions:
• temperature (0 degrees +)
• visibility (0 metre +)

Table 1 (below) outlines the minimum dives required by this Unit of Competency. At the time of printing, this contributed towards the achievement of an ADAS Pt 2 licence, however divers seeking ADAS licensing need to confirm details with ADAS.

Table 1 

The tables below are not relevant to this Unit of Competency but at the time of printing, contributed towards the achievement of an ADAS Pt 3 licence (SSBA diving to 50 metres). Divers seeking Pt 3 licensing need to confirm details with ADAS.

In-water decompression drills in the above table are to be conducted as follows:

• 1 dive in the 33 to 42 metre depth range, remaining at the selected depth from the table below for at least the time in column 2 and conducting in water decompression for a simulated bottom time of at least that in column 3.
• 1 dive in the 42 to 50 metre depth range, remaining at the selected depth from the table below for at least the time in column 2 and conducting in water decompression for a simulated bottom time of at least that in column 3.

Condition	No of Dives	Bottom time	Remarks
Between 0-30m	25	960	Represents total accrued – refer ADAS Pt 2 Unrestricted
Special Qualifiers
28-30 m dive	1	15
Zero visibility	1	20	Depth: 2-9 m
Night (+30 mins sunset/sunrise)	1	20	Depth: 9 m
Other	6 x boat dives	6 x shore dives	6 x (sim) decom stops using lazy shot & stage

Depth range	Type of dive	Min No of dives	Min time on bottom for dives - minutes	Objective
9 metres	Training	1/1	30 min	SurD O2 drill
15 – 21 m	Assessment	2/4	15 min
15 – 21 m	Assessment	2/6	25 min
28 – 30 m	Training	1/7	20 min	Work task/ SurD O2 drill
33 – 42 m	Training	1/8	20 min	Work task/in-water decompression
33 – 42 m	Training	1/9	20 min	Work task /SurD O2 drill
33 – 42 m	Assessment	1/10	20 min	Work task/ SurD O2 drill
42 – 50 m	Training	1/11	15min	Work task/ SurD O2 drill
42 – 50 m	Assessment	1/12	15min	Work task/ SurD O2 drill
42 – 50 m	Assessment	1/13	10 min	Work task/in-water decompression drill

1	2	3
Depth	Time at selected depth	Simulated in-water decompression for bottom time of:
metres	minutes	minutes
36	15	35
39	15	30
42	15	30

1	2	3
Depth (metres)	Time at selected depth (minutes)	Simulated in-water decompression for bottom time of: (minutes)
42	15	30
45	10	25
48	10	25
50	10	20

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency will be assessed in the ocean for all practical assessments, supported by questioning on shore or aboard vessels.

When practicable, assessment should relate to the diver’s vocational focus.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to complete range of SSBA diving, safety and accessory equipment.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Open water environment  may include:

• day or night
• oceans, seas, lakes and rivers
• sub-surface conditions:

• current (0–2 knots)
• visibility (0 metre +)
• temperature (0 degrees +)
• surface and sub-surface hazards such as:

• anchor drop zones
• cathodic protection devices
• electrical cabling
• inlets and sonar/radio frequency hazards
• marine animals
• piers and jetties
• pipelines
• pollutants
• propellers/thrusters

• trapping hazards:

• beams
• culverts
• gates
• grottoes and caves
• intakes and out-falls
• nets
• safety, anchor and communications lines
• sewers
• submerged ships, vehicles and structures
• sluices

• vessel rocking and associated movement

Associated equipment  includes:

• gauges
• main and reserve air supplies
• umbilicals

Operator level maintenance  includes:

• basic de-service
• communications checks
• depth monitoring
• line pressure settings
• primary and secondary air supplies

SSBA  includes:

• bail-out cylinder and assembly
• facemask ensemble, either:

• full mask
• mouthpiece/half-mask
• umbilical

Dive contingencies  include:

• air supply stoppage
• buddy breathing
• companion diver
• flooded mask/helmet
• fouled surface supply
• umbilical blockage/choking
• umbilical rupture