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 a SCUBA diving session.

1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics .

1.2. Assess participant's current SCUBA diving knowledge in order to determine the session's aims and objectives .

1.3. Determine an appropriate instructional plan  according to participant's needs and characteristics.

1.4. Develop a SCUBA diving plan  according to participant's needs and characteristics, industry technical and safety criteria , relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.5. Identify potential hazards  associated with SCUBA diving and minimise risks  according to organisational policies and procedures.

1.6. Access relevant sources  to interpret detailed weather and environmental information  and determine contingency plans .

1.7. Establish the need for a dive lookout and or above-water dive supervisor according to conditions, industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Select and organise equipment and resources.

2.1. Select and access equipment  and resources  according to contextual issues , industry technical and safety criteria and organisational policies and procedures, and check serviceability.

2.2. Check equipment for safety and suitability according to relevant legislation and manufacturer's recommendations and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.

2.3. Check contents of first aid and repair kits to ensure suitability to the location and activity.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the SCUBA diving session in a manner appropriate to the participants.

3.2. Encourage participants to seek clarification, information and feedback as required during the session.

3.3. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while SCUBA diving.

3.4. Inform participants of known and anticipated hazards, safety procedures  and appropriate behaviour.

3.5. Check and confirm that all participant equipment is fitted and adjusted.

4. Instruct a SCUBA diving session.

4.1. Conduct introductory SCUBA diving activities to reduce risk.

4.2. Monitor individual participant's performance during SCUBA diving session.

4.3. Apply instructional techniques  to impart activity specific knowledge , SCUBA diving techniques  and safety and rescue procedures .

4.4. Observe participants during SCUBA diving and adjust or refine individual and or group technique as required.

4.5. Demonstrate procedures for dealing with emergency and non-routine situations according to organisational policies and procedures.

5. Complete post session responsibilities.

5.1. Inform participants of opportunities to further develop their SCUBA diving skills and knowledge.

5.2. Retrieve, inspect, wash, and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.

5.3. Provide opportunities for participants to identify their personal progress and satisfaction with the session, and give feedback as required.

5.4. Evaluate relevant aspects  of the SCUBA diving session and determine the level of learning achieved.

5.5. Identify potential areas of improvement for future SCUBA diving instructional sessions.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• consult with participants to plan an appropriate SCUBA diving session
• convey information about the safety aspects of the session
• interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

• problem-solving skills to:

• plan SCUBA diving sessions according to participant's needs and characteristics
• address participant difficulties in developing techniques
• anticipate and respond to non-routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and a suitable SCUBA diving site
• monitor and evaluate progress
• organise participants into manageable groups or buddy pairs for SCUBA diving

• language and literacy skills to:

• produce SCUBA diving and instructional plans for the session
• complete post session participant and self evaluations

• personal SCUBA diving skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain techniques to participants
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies whilst instructing SCUBA diving.

Required knowledge 

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures and industry technical and safety criteria to enable safe conduct of SCUBA diving session
• site specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential dive hazards and any special restrictions applying to the area
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for SCUBA diving, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection
• instruction techniques and theories applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities to enable effective instruction of participants with different needs, characteristics and ability levels
• physics and physiology, such as the direct and indirect effects of pressure and signs, symptoms, prevention and treatment of common SCUBA diving risks such as decompression illness to enable safe performance
• SCUBA diving techniques and underwater communication systems used between buddy and other divers to reduce risk
• no-decompression dive tables and limits to determine air requirements
• hazards and risks commonly associated with open water SCUBA diving
• navigation techniques to avoid getting lost under water
• emergency, first aid and rescue procedures appropriate to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group
• minimal impact interactions and techniques to minimise negative impact on aquatic animal and plant life.

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:

• plans and delivers information, explanations and demonstrations for SCUBA diving sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participant's needs and characteristics
• observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve SCUBA diving technique and performance
• uses and modifies instructional techniques and or activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles
• evaluates and reflects on own instruction performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure instruction of SCUBA diving activities that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• an open water SCUBA diving site and controlled location for the conduct of instructional dive sessions
• groups of participants with different needs and characteristics to take part in SCUBA diving sessions
• a suitable diving boat, if required
• SCUBA diving, navigation, communication, safety, rescue, first aid and teaching equipment
• resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, instruct and document SCUBA diving sessions for a variety of participants.

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 planning processes, such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics
• oral or written questioning to assess application of legislation, industry technical and safety criteria and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe conduct of all SCUBA diving activities
• observation of safe SCUBA diving instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics
• portfolio of SCUBA diving session plans
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

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.

Characteristics  may include:

• age
• cultural and situational factors
• previous experience and knowledge
• physical development.

Session's aims and objectives  may include:

• developing SCUBA diving instruction skills
• education
• development
• therapy
• fitness targets
• recreation.

Instructional plan  may include:

• SCUBA diving activities and drills
• duration of activities and drills.

SCUBA diving plan  may include:

• aims and objectives
• date, time and duration
• location, equipment and resources
• safety requirements.

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
• marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• assessment procedures
• time and budget constraints
• communication protocols
• confidentiality of participant information
• code of ethics
• minimal impact codes.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• group management hazards
• SCUBA hazards.

Risks  may include:

• hypothermia
• heat exhaustion
• injuries
• lost party of party member
• equipment failure
• barotrauma
• nitrogen narcosis
• contaminated SCUBA air
• pressure or volume or density relationships
• buoyancy
• respiration
• air consumption
• oxygen toxicity
• carbon monoxide toxicity
• stings or bites
• Decompression Illness (DCI).

Relevant sources  may include:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• media
• land managers or agencies
• coastal patrol or coastguards
• volunteer marine rescue
• local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information  may include:

• satellite images
• daily and weekly forecasts
• maximum and minimum temperatures
• weather warnings
• event warnings
• river levels
• synoptic charts
• high and low tide predictions.

Contingency plans  may include:

• change in weather and water conditions
• equipment failure.

Equipment  may include:

• SCUBA diving equipment
• safety and rescue equipment
• navigation equipment
• communication equipment.

Resources  may include:

• clothing
• food and water
• teaching aids.

Contextual issues  may include:

• weather conditions, including times
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• group objectives
• group size.

Safety procedures  may include:

• suitable buddy
• communication signs and signals
• in-water supervision
• safety and rescue equipment.

Instructional techniques  may include:

• simple to complex
• part to whole
• chronological
• known to unknown
• D.E.D.I.C.T.
• E.D.I.C.T.
• I.D.E.A.
• orientate, enhance, synthesise

Required knowledge  may include:

• risk and hazard prevention and management
• safety procedures
• SCUBA diving techniques
• communication and buddy systems
• responsible and safe behaviour.

SCUBA diving techniques  may include:

• entries to and exits from the water
• removal and replacement of equipment on surface
• mask and regulator removal, recovery and replacement in water
• use of buddy and communication system
• buoyancy control
• underwater navigation
• controlled breathing
• descending and ascending
• equalising pressure
• self and buddy rescues
• bearings or reciprocal bearings
• dive calculations
• air supply monitoring.

Safety and rescue procedures  may include:

• emergency response procedures
• group management in emergency situations
• symptoms, treatment and prevention of common SCUBA diving risks.

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.