Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the DEF Defence Training Package.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to act as a standby diver in support of diving operations (from a platform and in-water) in an open water environment.

It includes preparing and positioning required diving equipment and emergency resources; meeting the readiness states as detailed by the dive supervisor; maintaining communications with dive supervisor throughout the dive; and taking rapid steps to resolve incidents, ranging from resupplying emergency breathing gas reserves to locating and rescuing injured or unconscious diver/s.

This unit relates, in part, to existing standards in the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS).

This unit was developed for Defence divers but may be applicable to anyone in this field.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies, dive plan and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Persons undertaking this unit work independently and perform specific tasks in a range of contexts that could be unpredictable.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Not applicable.

Defence Work Diving.

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Prepare as a standby diver 

1.1 

Conduct function check on equipment

1.2 

Confirm dive plan and emergency response plan with dive supervisor

1.3 

Prepare and position emergency resources in accordance with dive plan

2 

Operate as a standby diver 

2.1 

Maintain situational awareness and status of deployed diver/s during dive operation

2.2 

Respond to incidents or unplanned situations in accordance with emergency response and dive plan

2.3 

Locate and reach diver to render assistance

2.4 

Render assistance to diver

2.5 

Recover unconscious diver in accordance with emergency response and dive plan

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the DEF Defence Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to DEFWDV003 Act as a standby diver.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the DEF Defence Training Package.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

• applying relevant industry standards, and organisational policies and procedures
• applying SCUBA operating techniques
• assembling equipment and attaining and maintaining a state of readiness to enter the water rapidly in accordance with emergency response plan
• interpreting orders, dive and emergency response plan
• locating and recovering an unconscious diver from a depth of 20 metres to the surface
• maintaining records according to organisational policies and procedures
• performing standby diver duties
• wearing of self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) equipment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• dive equipment
• dive physics
• dive physiology and medicine, including:

• compression illnesses
• decompression illnesses
• heat and cold illnesses

• diving descent and ascent techniques
• general diving safety awareness, including:

• diving in harbours
• diving in tidal waters, currents and tides
• diving on and/or near a ship’s hull
• entrapment/foul lines
• lost/separated
• marine animal threats
• pollution/weeds
• working in confined spaces

• oceanography
• relevant industry standards, and organisational policies and procedures, including:

• dive plan and/or instructions/orders
• emergency response procedures/plan

• SCUBA operating techniques.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• applicable documentation, including legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operation manuals
• documentation specific to the dive operation, including dive plan and risk assessment
• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry.