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 for a snorkelling activity.

1.1. Identify an appropriate activity location  according to relevant legislation , organisational policies and procedures  and industry criteria .

1.2. Access information on the location and identify potential hazards  associated with the activity.

1.3. Identify the effects of pressure , temperature and volume  in relation to snorkel diving.

1.4. Access relevant sources  to interpret weather and environmental information .

1.5. Establish a communication system to use with buddy and other participants while snorkelling.

2. Select snorkelling equipment.

2.1. Select snorkel dive equipment  according to contextual issues , and check working condition.

2.2. Fit and adjust equipment to ensure comfort, safety and suitability to the participant.

2.3. Use and maintain snorkel dive equipment according to industry criteria and manufacturer's recommendations.

3. Apply snorkelling skills.

3.1. Assess conditions before entering the water.

3.2. Apply breathing techniques through a snorkel.

3.3. Demonstrate clearing of snorkel and mask.

3.4. Apply methods of equalising to clear water from ears.

3.5. Demonstrate surface and underwater swimming and diving on a snorkel according to industry and safety criteria.

3.6. Communicate with buddy.

4. Perform snorkel dive rescues.

4.1. Demonstrate rescues and or treatments for a variety of potential snorkelling first aid situations .

4.2. Support buddy and tow 10 metres in a simulated rescue exercise.

4.3. Apply cramp release techniques on self and buddy to relieve cramp.

4.4. Perform self rescue techniques to achieve buoyancy.

5. Evaluate snorkelling activity.

5.1. Evaluate relevant aspects  of the snorkelling activity.

5.2. Identify improvements for future snorkelling experiences.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to inform progress and interact with instructor and buddy during snorkelling
• teamwork skills to snorkel with and look out for a buddy
• listening skills to follow instructions and directions from the supervisor about water conditions to maintain safety
• swimming skills to:

• swim 400 metres on surface wearing snorkelling equipment
• hold breath, dive under water and clear snorkel upon re-surfacing
• perform self rescue and unconscious diver recovery from 3 metres

• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge 

• legislation, organisational policies and procedures and industry criteria to enable safe conduct of all snorkelling activities
• weather and environmental information to interpret forecast conditions and their affect on the activity
• sea features such as currents, waves and tides and how these impact on the activity
• selection and maintenance of snorkelling equipment
• factors affecting buoyancy and how to control sinking and floating
• pressure, volume and temperature, as related to squeezes
• atmospheric related concerns, such as hypothermia, hyperthermia and sunburn
• gases and respiration as related to shallow water blackout, hyperventilation, overexertion
• accident prevention, self rescue, rescue and first aid procedures
• aquatic hazards, such as sea life and environmental, and how to negotiate these
• emergency and rescue procedures appropriate to the 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 and select a snorkelling location and equipment for the conditions and duration of the activity
• demonstrates snorkelling surface and diving techniques and performs snorkel dive rescues in realistic simulations
• seeks advice and feedback from leader and evaluates and reflects on own snorkelling performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple snorkelling activities in controlled conditions to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• resources and information to plan and select appropriate equipment for the snorkelling activity
• a suitable snorkelling location with either open or confined water
• a qualified leader or supervisor
• snorkelling, safety, rescue and first aid 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:

• oral and or written questioning to assess knowledge of snorkel dive rescuing techniques and common snorkelling first aid situations
• observation of safe participation and demonstration of snorkelling skills, such as surface and dive snorkelling
• 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:

• SISCAQU202A Perform water rescue techniques

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.

Activity location  may include:

• open water
• confined water.

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
• use and maintenance of equipment
• communication protocols
• emergency procedures
• code of ethics.

Industry criteria  may include:

• British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)
• Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
• SCUBA Schools International (SSI).

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes
• dangerous animals and insects
• group management hazards

Effects of pressure , temperature and volume  may include:

• barotrauma
• hypothermia
• hyperthermia
• hyperventilation
• shallow water blackout
• buoyancy
• phobias.

Relevant sources  may include:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• media
• land managers or agencies
• coastal patrol or coastguard
• 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.

Equipment  may include:

• mask
• snorkel
• fins
• weight system or buoyancy control
• exposure protection
• dive knife and or tool
• wetsuit
• safety and rescue equipment
• first aid equipment.

Contextual issues  may include:

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

First aid situations  may include:

• near drowning
• hypothermia
• hyperthermia
• barotrauma
• aquatic injuries
• stings
• exhaustion
• sunburn.

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.