Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:59 PM AWST
22/07/2026 4:59 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Instruct specialised SCUBA diving skills
Instruct specialised SCUBA diving skills
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOSCB420A
SISOSCB420A
State Code
D6466
D6466
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
15/10/2014
Field of Education
092103 - Sports Coaching, Officiating And Instruction
Original Release Date
15/10/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to instruct specialised SCUBA diving skills. This unit focuses on planning, instructing and evaluating instructional specialised SCUBA diving sessions to enable participants to achieve the skills and knowledge required to participate independently, or with minimal supervision, in an open water SCUBA diving activity.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a specialised SCUBA diving session.
- 1.1. Establish participant's needs and characteristics.
- 1.2. Assess participant's current specialised SCUBA diving knowledge in order to determine the session'saims and objectives.
- 1.3. Determine an appropriate instructional plan according to participant's needs and characteristics.
- 1.4. Develop a specialised 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 specialised SCUBA diving and minimise risks according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.6. Access relevantsources 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 specific equipment and resources for specialised SCUBA diving session 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 specialised 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 during specialised 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 specialised SCUBA diving session.
- 4.1. Conduct introductory specialised SCUBA diving activities to reduce risk.
- 4.2. Monitor individual participant's performance during specialised SCUBA diving session.
- 4.3. Apply instructional techniques to impart activity specific knowledge, specialised SCUBA diving techniques and safety and rescue procedures.
- 4.4. 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 specialised 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 specialised SCUBA diving session and determine the level of learning achieved.
- 5.5. Identify potential areas of improvement for future specialised SCUBA diving instructional sessions.
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.
Specialised SCUBA diving may include:
night diving
underwater navigation
altitude diving
boat diving
drift diving
dry suit diving
multi level diving
search and recovery diving
underwater photography
underwater videography
wreck diving
deep diving
underwater naturalist
peak performance buoyancy
computer aided dives
diving with enriched air nitrox (EANx).
Session's aims and objectives may include:
developing SCUBA diving skills
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
Instructional plan may include:
specialised SCUBA diving activities and drills
duration of specialised activities and drills.
Specialise 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
working with children.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
assessment procedures
time and budget constraints
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
environmental regulations
code of ethics.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
group management hazards.
specialised SCUBA hazards.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
lost party or party member
equipment failure
exhaustion
near drowning
barotrauma
nitrogen narcosis
contaminated SCUBA air
cramps
stings or bites from marine creatures
Decompression Illness (DCI).
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.
Contingency plans may include:
change in weather and water conditions
equipment failure.
Equipment may include:
SCUBA diving equipment
safety and rescue equipment
specialised 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
participant characteristics
number of support staff
features of dive
other divers
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
specialised SCUBA diving techniques
communication and buddy systems
responsible and safe behaviour.
Specialised SCUBA diving techniques may include:
videoing
photography
dry suit
computer aided
wreck dives.
Safety and rescue procedures may include:
emergency response procedures
group management in emergency situations
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common specialised SCUBA diving risks.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
Characteristics may include:
age
cultural and situational factors
previous experience and knowledge
physical development.
Specialised SCUBA diving may include:
night diving
underwater navigation
altitude diving
boat diving
drift diving
dry suit diving
multi level diving
search and recovery diving
underwater photography
underwater videography
wreck diving
deep diving
underwater naturalist
peak performance buoyancy
computer aided dives
diving with enriched air nitrox (EANx).
Session's aims and objectives may include:
developing SCUBA diving skills
education
development
therapy
fitness targets
recreation.
Instructional plan may include:
specialised SCUBA diving activities and drills
duration of specialised activities and drills.
Specialise 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
working with children.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
assessment procedures
time and budget constraints
communication protocols
confidentiality of participant information
environmental regulations
code of ethics.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
group management hazards.
specialised SCUBA hazards.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
lost party or party member
equipment failure
exhaustion
near drowning
barotrauma
nitrogen narcosis
contaminated SCUBA air
cramps
stings or bites from marine creatures
Decompression Illness (DCI).
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.
Contingency plans may include:
change in weather and water conditions
equipment failure.
Equipment may include:
SCUBA diving equipment
safety and rescue equipment
specialised 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
participant characteristics
number of support staff
features of dive
other divers
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
specialised SCUBA diving techniques
communication and buddy systems
responsible and safe behaviour.
Specialised SCUBA diving techniques may include:
videoing
photography
dry suit
computer aided
wreck dives.
Safety and rescue procedures may include:
emergency response procedures
group management in emergency situations
symptoms, treatment and prevention of common specialised SCUBA diving risks.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
instructional technique
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
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 specialised 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 specialised 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 e specialised 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:
a suitable open water SCUBA diving site and controlled location for the conduct of instructional dive sessions
groups of participants to take part in the specialised SCUBA diving sessions
a suitable diving boat, if required
specialised SCUBA diving, navigation, communication, safety, rescue, first aid and teaching equipment
resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, instruct and document specialised 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 specialised SCUBA diving activities
observation of safe specialised SCUBA diving instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics
portfolio of specialised 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.
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 specialised 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 specialised 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 e specialised 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:
a suitable open water SCUBA diving site and controlled location for the conduct of instructional dive sessions
groups of participants to take part in the specialised SCUBA diving sessions
a suitable diving boat, if required
specialised SCUBA diving, navigation, communication, safety, rescue, first aid and teaching equipment
resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, instruct and document specialised 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 specialised SCUBA diving activities
observation of safe specialised SCUBA diving instruction, monitoring and adjustment according to participant's needs and characteristics
portfolio of specialised 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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBE77 | SISOSCB011 | Lead specialised SCUBA diving activities | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| D445 | SIS50310 | Diploma of Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |