Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comment 

1

SFI11v2

Initial release. Supersedes and is not equivalent to SFIDIVE305B Undertake emergency procedures in diving operations using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus

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. Perform surface standby-diver activities for divers using SCUBA

1.1. Surface standby-diver activities during operations  conform to appropriate emergency/rescue procedures according to the equipment  used

1.2. A state of readiness to ensure prompt action in the event of an emergency  is maintained at all times

2. Perform in-water standby-diver activities using SCUBA

2.1. In-water standby-diver activities conform to appropriate emergency/rescue procedures according to the equipment used

2.2. Communication  lines are maintained with the surface team to ensure all necessary rescue action is undertaken

3. Employ correct techniques for emergency situations when using SCUBA

3.1. Assistance  is given in the recovery of an unconscious or injured diver from the surface to dry land or the deck of a dive platform in a manner that prevents further injury

3.2. Ascent  in an emergency situation is managed by controlling buoyancy, while identifying an emergency situation where shedding weights  may be necessary

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• applying emergency first aid procedures
• applying emergency/rescue procedures in accordance with the situation
• dressing appropriately for standby-diver duties and maintaining a state of readiness
• free ascending correctly completing proper drills during ascent and on the surface
• giving expired-air resuscitation to a surfaced diver while in the water
• maintaining communication with diver's tender and following instructions
• recovering a diver in distress to the surface
• using a safety line to locate a diver in distress
• literacy skills to:

• complete 'dive accident medical information' forms
• follow an emergency action plan
• keep records
• read dive tables
• read diver's first aid literature
• read regulations and industry guidelines

• numeracy skills to:

• make calculations involving pressure, volume and temperature relationships
• use decompression information while underwater

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• effective methods to handle a range of physical emergencies
• emergencies that may occur during diving operations in the seafood or ornamental/aquarium industry
• free-ascent practices and associated dangers and limitations
• need for and limitations of shedding weights in particular emergency situations
• procedures related to the use of equipment in relation to identified emergencies
• risk of hyperthermia or hypothermia when fully dressed as a standby diver
• suit inflation and buoyancy compensator inflation procedures
• treatment of medical emergencies

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:

• perform standby-diver duties
• apply emergency/rescue procedures to:

• conscious diver
• unconscious diver

• undertake in-water resuscitation
• recover a distressed diver and apply first aid
• free ascend correctly and safely
• communicate and follow instructions

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• physical emergency procedures
• treatment of medical emergencies
• hyperthermia and hypothermia
• shedding weights in emergency situations
• inflation procedures and free-ascent practices

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

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

Resources may include:

• suitable diving environment
• diving equipment for SCUBA diving operations as listed in the range of variables

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

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

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
• maritime and occupational diving operations, and safety at sea
• 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 in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
• OHS training register
• 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

PPE  may include:

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

Operations  may include:

• cleaning and maintaining display tanks
• collecting aquatic animals:

• abalone
• beche-de-mer
• broodstock or seedstock
• crayfish, lobsters and crabs
• ornamental fish, live, rock, corals and other invertebrate
• other molluscs
• pearls
• sea urchins and sponges
• seaweed or aquatic plants

• collecting dead stock
• collecting environmental water samples
• eradicating or releasing predators
• from a beach
• from a jetty
• from a vessel
• installing, servicing and maintaining ponds, farm environment, cages and associated equipment
• retrieving lost tools and equipment
• tending aquaculture animals

Equipment  may include:

• breathing apparatus:

• demand type (e.g. band mask and helmet)
• free-flow type

• buoyancy compensator
• catch bags
• communication systems:

• topside and diver
• power supply
• tape recorders and tapes

• depth-measuring instruments
• diver's clothing
• diving watch
• gauges
• knives
• main and reserve air supplies
• safety harness
• shot-line
• weights, fins and masks

Emergency  may include:

• entanglement
• entrapment
• injury
• malfunctioning equipment
• medical
• predator

Communication  may include:

• hand signals
• lifeline signals
• slate
• voice

Assistance  may include:

• disentangle
• in-water surface resuscitation
• remove cause of entrapment
• rescue:

• conscious diver
• unconscious diver

Ascent  may include:

• buoyancy compensator
• lifeline
• shedding weights
• stage
• underwater propulsion device
• with and without air supply

Shedding weights  may include:

• mid-water
• seabed
• surface