Assessment Requirements for SISOSCB001 SCUBA dive in open water to a maximum depth of 18 metres

Release: 1

Assessment Requirements for SISOSCB001 SCUBA dive in open water to a maximum depth of 18 metres

Modification History

Not applicable.

Performance Evidence

Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:

plan and complete four open water dives each for different parameters

prior to each dive, and at the water’s edge:

assemble own diving equipment

inspect all equipment for safety and serviceability

fit and adjust equipment to self, including appropriate weights, in conjunction with buddy

complete a BWRAF (buoyancy, weights, releases, air, final) check in conjunction with buddy

during each dive, use effective techniques to control:

entry and exit

descent and ascent

underwater swimming

buoyancy both underwater and at the surface

mouthpiece clearing for both snorkel and regulator

exchanges between regulator and snorkel, in-water at the surface

swimming at the surface using snorkel; fully geared

buddy contact, cooperation and communication, using correct signals for communication

navigation of a basic course with an underwater compass

across all dives, collectively participate in simulations to respond to problematic and emergency situations and:

clear partially and fully flooded masks

remove and replace mask underwater

remove and replace SCUBA system in-water at the surface

remove and replace weight system and SCUBA kit in water too deep in which to stand

use an alternate air source to provide air to and receive air from a diver, and make controlled air sharing ascents

provide buddy assistance for two situations

after each dive, disassemble SCUBA gear.

Knowledge Evidence

Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:

organisational safety and emergency response procedures for diving activities

factors to consider when planning a dive:

dive location

objectives

abilities of self and buddy

depth and duration of dive

contingencies

features of diving environments, particularly those relevant to local conditions, sufficient to understand the impacts on diving activities and locations:

water conditions:

temperature and thermocline

visibility

movements, currents, waves, tides

density of fresh and salt water

topography; bottom and shoreline

aquatic life; animals and plants

weather conditions

hazards and techniques used to safely negotiate these:

surface hazards

overhead obstructions

entanglement and entrapment in natural and constructed features

special environmental features, including any cultural and heritage features, minimal impact techniques specific to diving environments, and why these are important to conservation

any local regulations specific to diving

how to use dive computers to

determine no-decompression limits for single and repetitive dives

properly plan and execute a dive

features, function and operation of dive computers, and advantages of dive computers over dive tables when planning and completing dives

the physics of diving; the physical principles of matter and their application to diving activities and hazards:

sound

light

buoyancy

pressure and gas laws

temperature

for the following medical problems related to diving, the causes, prevention, symptoms, first aid and treatment:

direct effects of pressure during descent, types of squeezes and barotrauma:

mask

suit

ears

sinuses

lungs

teeth

direct effects of pressure during ascent:

gas expansion – ears, sinuses, lungs, stomach, intestines and teeth

lung over pressurization and overexpansion injuries

vertigo

indirect physiological effects of pressure:

decompression illness

nitrogen narcosis

carbon dioxide excess and relationship to overexertion

oxygen toxicity

shallow water blackout and relationship to hyperventilation

issues related to contaminated air

other physiological and psychological problems:

drowning and secondary drowning

carotid sinus reflex

inadequate ventilation (hypoventilation)

atmospheric issues – hypothermia, hyperthermia, sunburn

bite and sting injuries from aquatic animals and plants

issues related to use of medication, drugs and alcohol

fatigue and exhaustion

stress and panic

over confidence

for the following diving equipment, identifying features, functions, operation and, where relevant, how to fit and adjust for comfort and safety:

fins

face masks

snorkels

buoyancy control devices

exposure suits, booties and gloves of different grades suited to different conditions

weight ballast systems

cylinders and valves, cylinder support systems

regulators

submersible pressure gauges

alternative air sources of different types

timing devices

depth gauges

underwater compasses

floats and flags

lights

emergency equipment carried by dive operators:

signalling devices, acoustical and visual

first aid kits

oxygen kits

for all of the above equipment, how to inspect for safety and serviceability

the purpose and importance of pre and post-dive roll calls

inclusions of personal diving log books and the importance of completing after each dive

communication protocols used between divers, buddies and activity leaders:

hand signals

noise signals such as rapping on cylinder

use of slates

use of signalling devices, acoustical and visual

dive buddy systems and procedures used to:

cross check gear

maintain contact and cooperation

maintain common safety

techniques used to:

enter and exit the water

descend and ascend using safety stops

swim underwater and at the surface in diving gear

maintain buoyancy both underwater and at the surface

use an alternate air source to provide air to and receive air from a diver, and make controlled air sharing ascents

rescue self and buddy from problematic and emergency situations.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must be demonstrated in an open water site during daylight hours. Dives can be completed from either a boat or from the shore.

During assessment:

direct vertical access to the surface must be possible; aquatic plants are not considered an overhead obstruction

the first two of the four required open water dives must include at least 20 minutes at a depth between 5 and 12 metres

the last two of the four required open water dives must include at least 20 minutes at a depth between 5 to 18 metres

no more than three dives can be completed in any one day

the following resources must be available to replicate industry conditions of operation and also for the purpose of assessing the candidate’s ability to identify features and operational use:

first aid equipment

oxygen equipment

communication equipment for emergency response

diver flags of a type and size that meet local maritime regulator requirements.

Assessment must ensure use of:

a diving buddy with whom the candidate can dive

fins

masks

snorkels

cylinders and valves

buoyancy control devices with low pressure inflators

regulators with submersible pressure gauges

alternative air source

weight ballast systems

exposure suits suitable for conditions

timing devices

depth gauges

underwater compasses

signalling devices, acoustical and visual

dive computers

organisational safety and emergency response procedures for diving activities.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations requirements for assessors, and:

be an individual who is currently certified and sanctioned by an industry authorised organisation to teach and assess open water diving skills and to authorise the issuance of C-Card certification.

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guides - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=1ca50016-24d2-4161-a044-d3faa200268b