Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:11 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:11 AM 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.
Act as a standby diver
Act as a standby diver
Unit of competency
National Code
DEFDV003B
DEFDV003B
State Code
AVV04
AVV04
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to act as a standby (air) diver in support of diving operations (both from a platform and inwater) in an open water environment.The diver will need to prepare and position the required diving equipment, and emergency resources, meet the readiness states as detailed by the dive supervisor, maintain communications with the supervisor throughout the dive, and take rapid steps to resolve incidents, ranging from the resupplying of emergency air reserves, to locating and rescuing injured or unconscious diver/s.Note: This Unit of Competency covers the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) occupational grouping of standby diver. All information was correct at the time of development of this Unit of Competency; however, any diver seeking ADAS accreditation should consult ADAS and not rely on the information contained in this Unit of Competency.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for standby diver responsibilities
- 1.1 Diving equipment is inspected and donned for immediate readiness.
- 1.2 Emergency resources are prepared and positioned.
- 1.3 Dive plan and reaction to incidents are confirmed with dive supervisor and task-readiness is confirmed in the designated medium.
2. Perform standby duties during the dive
- 2.1 Overall awareness of the dive operation including the status of deployed diver/s is proactively maintained with dive supervisor.
- 2.2 Incidents are responded to immediately.
- 2.3 Deployed diver is located via life-line or float-line.
- 2.4 Emergency air supplies are ferried to submerged divers.
- 2.5 An unconscious diver is recovered from under the water to the surface platform.
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Platforms may include:
boats
ships
(semi) -permanent platforms
Open water environment includes:
day or night
oceans, seas, lakes and rivers
sub-surface conditions:
current (0-2 knots)
visibility (0 metre +)
temperature (0 degrees +)
surface and sub-surface hazards such as:
anchor drop zones
cathodic protection devices
electrical cabling
inlets and sonar/radio frequency hazards
marine animals
piers and jetties
pipelines
pollutants
propellers/thrusters
trapping hazards:
beams
culverts
gates
grottoes and caves
intakes and out-falls
nets
safety, anchor and communications lines
sewers
submerged ships, vehicles and structures
sluices
vessel rocking and associated movement
Diving equipment may include:
breathing system devices:
cylinder configuration:
single
pressure:
demand
positive
supply:
independent primary
buoyancy devices:
buoyancy compensator
weight belt
dive clothing:
gloves
facemask
fins
wet-suit (including booties and hood)
diving accessory equipment:
knife
watch
compass
communications slate
facemask/mouthpiece ensemble
safety equipment:
diver's safety lines
Inspecting diving equipment may include:
anchorage of safety lines
confirmation of necessary equipment
function of apparatus
air
buoyancy device
general fit and form
security of buckles and attachments
Emergency resources may include:
breathing system and devices (see above)
buoyancy devices (see above)
safety equipment (see above)
Incidents may include:
diver with equipment malfunction
injured diver
lost diver
Medium includes:
in-water
out-of-water
Platforms may include:
boats
ships
(semi) -permanent platforms
Open water environment includes:
day or night
oceans, seas, lakes and rivers
sub-surface conditions:
current (0-2 knots)
visibility (0 metre +)
temperature (0 degrees +)
surface and sub-surface hazards such as:
anchor drop zones
cathodic protection devices
electrical cabling
inlets and sonar/radio frequency hazards
marine animals
piers and jetties
pipelines
pollutants
propellers/thrusters
trapping hazards:
beams
culverts
gates
grottoes and caves
intakes and out-falls
nets
safety, anchor and communications lines
sewers
submerged ships, vehicles and structures
sluices
vessel rocking and associated movement
Diving equipment may include:
breathing system devices:
cylinder configuration:
single
pressure:
demand
positive
supply:
independent primary
buoyancy devices:
buoyancy compensator
weight belt
dive clothing:
gloves
facemask
fins
wet-suit (including booties and hood)
diving accessory equipment:
knife
watch
compass
communications slate
facemask/mouthpiece ensemble
safety equipment:
diver's safety lines
Inspecting diving equipment may include:
anchorage of safety lines
confirmation of necessary equipment
function of apparatus
air
buoyancy device
general fit and form
security of buckles and attachments
Emergency resources may include:
breathing system and devices (see above)
buoyancy devices (see above)
safety equipment (see above)
Incidents may include:
diver with equipment malfunction
injured diver
lost diver
Medium includes:
in-water
out-of-water
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to maintain readiness timings throughout the dive.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over a variety of tasks performing the duties of a standby diver at least twice and locating and recovering an unconscious diver from a depth of 20 m to the surface.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be conducted in the ocean supported by questioning on shore or aboard vessels.
When practicable, assessment should relate to the diver’s vocational focus.
Specific resources for assessment
Access to a complete range of diving, safety and accessory equipment; and a dive platform.
Assessment must confirm the ability to maintain readiness timings throughout the dive.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over a variety of tasks performing the duties of a standby diver at least twice and locating and recovering an unconscious diver from a depth of 20 m to the surface.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be conducted in the ocean supported by questioning on shore or aboard vessels.
When practicable, assessment should relate to the diver’s vocational focus.
Specific resources for assessment
Access to a complete range of diving, safety and accessory equipment; and a dive platform.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBD22 | DEFWDV003 | Act as a standby diver | Unit of competency |
