Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

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.

1. Plan drift dives.

1.1. Determine factors affecting selection of drift diving site  and ensure selected site meets industry technical and safety criteria , relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.2. Identify potential hazards  and impact of currents  on drift diving.

1.3. Develop and negotiate a suitable drift dive plan  with buddy and other team members.

1.4. Determine a suitable communication system and make ascent decisions  with drift dive party.

1.5. Select and use drift dive equipment  according to industry technical and safety criteria and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Perform drift dives.

2.1. Enter water with buddy and demonstrate simultaneous descents with the dive team.

2.2. Demonstrate positive, neutral and negative buoyancy during drift dive practice.

2.3. Complete drift dives  with and without a surface reference float and or boat according to industry technical and safety criteria.

2.4. Maintain relative position with dive team throughout drift dive.

2.5. Give, receive and respond to hand signals as agreed in the dive plan.

2.6. Perform drift diving ascents  according to negotiated dive plan and industry technical and safety criteria.

3. Evaluate drift dive.

3.1. Evaluate relevant aspects  of the drift dive.

3.2. Identify improvements for future drift dives.

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

Required skills 

• planning and organising skills to develop a drift dive plan with buddy and dive team
• problem-solving skills to:

• identify direction and strength of tidal streams and currents
• determine factors influencing site selection
• demonstrate positive, negative and neutral buoyancy during drift diving

• communication skills to:

• signal buddy and dive team throughout drift dive
• use surface signalling equipment to maintain contact with boat skipper

• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to drift dive site to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge 

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures and industry technical and safety criteria to enable safe conduct of all drift diving activities
• selection of drift dive equipment and its role in signalling and communicating with others
• water entry and exit techniques from dive boats
• hazards commonly associated with drift diving in open water to a depth of 18 metres
• direction and strength of tidal stream and currents and their impact on drift diving
• emergency, first aid and rescue procedures appropriate to the boat and location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group.

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 plan drift dive with buddy and dive team and selects appropriate equipment according to the conditions
• communicates with and monitors buddy's progress throughout the drift dive and uses surface signalling procedures to communicate with dive team and boat crew
• negotiates hazards and undertakes drift diving ascents according to industry technical and safety criteria
• evaluates and reflects on own drift diving performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple drift dives to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• resources and information to plan and select appropriate drift dive equipment
• an open water dive site, suitable for drift diving to a maximum depth of 18 metres
• a suitable buddy to participate in drift diving
• a suitable diving boat
• SCUBA diving and drift diving 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 safe participation in drift diving activities, including ascents and use of drift diving equipment
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of potential drift diving hazards, and direction and strength of tidal streams and currents
• 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:

• SISOSCB309A Complete dives off boats.

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 selection of drift diving site  may include:

• direction and strength of tidal stream
• powerful currents
• boating or shipping lanes.

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
• maritime legislation.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• boat procedures
• communication protocols
• signalling procedures
• code of ethics
• minimal impact codes.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• group management hazards
• inability to obtain neutral buoyancy
• no supporting boat to follow divers
• shipping lanes
• separation from buddy and or diving team
• eddies
• rocks
• gullies.

Currents  may include:

• on-shore
• off-shore
• river
• tidal induced
• long-shore
• rip.

Drift dive plan  may include:

• descent and ascent
• communication system
• navigation
• hazards
• emergency procedures
• team recovery.

Ascent decisions  may include:

• minimum air supply
• location
• signals.

Drift dive equipment  may include:

• surface floats and marker buoys
• lines
• emergency signalling devices.

Drift dives  may include:

• being carried along by current
• navigating around formations
• minimal effort diving
• relaxing, pleasant and scenic
• using less air.

Drift diving ascents  may include:

• buddy pairs
• a group
• solo in case of emergencies.

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.