Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comment 

1

SFI11v2

Initial release. Supersedes and is not equivalent to SFIDIVE301B Work effectively as a diver in the seafood industry

HLTFA311A

Apply first aid

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Apply knowledge of the roles of industry, government bodies and qualifications for diving operations

1.1. Roles  of a diver in the seafood industry and diving qualifications  are understood and complied with

1.2. The roles of industry, government bodies and various diving qualifications relating to diving work are identified and applied to diving work

2. Apply anatomy, diving physics and physiology principles when performing dives

2.1. The relationship between the pressure, volume and temperatures of gas, and the implications of this relationship for the physical condition  of divers, are understood and applied  to diving work

2.2. Partial pressure, solubility of gases, the behaviour of light and sound under water and buoyancy principles are understood and applied to diving work

3. Follow OHS procedures in diving operations

3.1. Guidelines and regulatory requirements for OHS in diving operations are understood and complied with

3.2. The needs of a diving casualty are identified  and the correct procedures are applied

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• assessing and establishing the needs of a diving casualty
• assisting in the treatment of diving-related health conditions and illnesses
• calculating:

• volume changes with changing depths and pressures
• pressure changes with changes in temperature
• partial pressure of gases at different depths
• buoyancies of various objects at different depths

• complying with any relevant codes of practice and OHS regulatory requirements
• complying with the general requirements of Australian standards for diving
• providing first aid to a diving casualty
• literacy skills to:

• follow dive tables
• read diving information and instruments

• numeracy skills to make calculations for diving operations

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• industry and government bodies associated with diving
• principles relating to:

• buoyancy (Archimedes' Principle)
• the partial pressure of gases (Dalton's Law)
• the relationship between pressure and temperature (Charles' Laws)
• the relationship between pressure and volume (Boyle's Law)
• the solubility of gases (Henry's Law)

• procedures relating to maintaining the health and safety of the individual and others
• reciprocal recognition arrangements of dive standards with other countries
• advantages and limitations of the use of one hundred per cent oxygen in managing diving illnesses
• atmospheric, hydrostatic, absolute, ambient and gauge pressures
• Australian standards relating to diving, such as AS/NZ 2299.1:2007 Occupational diving operations - Standard operational practice and AS 2815 series - Training and certification of occupational divers
• different effects of saltwater and freshwater on buoyancy
• equipment used to compensate for buoyancy changes
• equipment used to compensate for light and sound effects under water
• hazards other than those directly related to diving that may affect divers
• obligations, responsibilities and required health status for accreditation as an occupational diver
• positive, negative and neutral buoyancy
• recreational dive-industry qualifications relating to occupational diving
• statutory requirements for OHS in diving operations
• the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS)
• the behaviour of light and sound under water and their effect on divers
• the effect on divers of partial pressure and solubility of gases
• the effect on divers of pressure, volume and temperature changes
• the need for decompression as it relates to partial pressure and solubility of gases
• the relationship between the ADAS and diver-training establishments
• the use and effect of nitrox in surface-orientated diving operations using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA)

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:

• assess the needs of a diving casualty and provide first aid as required
• assist in the treatment of diving-related health conditions and illnesses
• complete calculations accurately relating to depth, pressure, temperature, gases and buoyancy
• comply with regulations and industry standards relating to occupational diving
• follow OHS requirements for diving operations

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• first aid principles as they relate to diving-related conditions, illnesses and accidents
• hazards associated with diving
• regulations, Australian standards and industry standards related to diving
• the advantages and limitations of the use of gases
• the laws and principles relating to depth, pressure, temperature, gases and buoyancy
• the statutory requirements for OHS in diving operations
• the use and effect of gases

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:

• current first aid manuals
• manuals relating to the various regulations and codes of practice
• relevant diving equipment
• suitable dive sites

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• observation of practical demonstration
• practical exercises
• project work
• written or oral short-answer testing

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed holistically with other diving units.

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.

Relevant government regulations , licensing and other compliance requirements  may include:

• business or workplace operations, policies and practices
• ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences
• health and welfare of aquatic animals
• Indigenous land rights and cultural activities
• maritime and occupational diving operations, safety at sea and pollution control
• OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control

OHS guidelines  may include:

• appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits
• 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 and contractors 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
• safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, 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:

• improving energy efficiency
• increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resource
• managing environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• protecting native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas, adhering to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Ramsar Convention, World Heritage and other international treaties for which Australia is a signatory
• reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
• reducing energy use
• reducing use of non-renewable resources

PPE  may include:

• buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
• personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
• sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)

Roles  may include:

• act as standby
• supervise other divers
• support aquaculture operations
• support vessel maintenance
• support wild catch fishing operations, including ornamental species
• undertake cleaning and maintenance of aquaculture or holding facilities, including public aquaria

Qualifications  may include:

• ADAS
• industry
• recreational

Physical condition  may include:

• bite
• decompression sickness and predisposing factors
• hyperventilation
• hypothermia
• lung or eardrum barotrauma
• near drowning, drowning and saltwater fever
• poisoning and toxicity:

• carbon monoxide
• carbon dioxide
• oxygen
• stings and wounds inflicted by marine animals

• shocks from bleeding
• squeezes

Applied  may include:

• Archimedes' Principle
• Boyle's Law
• Charles' Laws
• Dalton's Law
• Henry's Law
• calculations

Identified  may include:

• advised by a third party
• directly