Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Technical diving plan may include:
objectives
date, time and duration of dive
site, diving rig and equipment
safety and emergency procedures.
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
communication protocols
code of ethics.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
lack of immediate access to the surface
hypoxia or hyperoxia
narcosis
decompression illness (DCI)
errors and omitted procedures
drowning, due to failed buoyancy control device (BCD) and backup, or water entry with closed cylinder valves.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
lost party or party member
equiptment failure
no gas
regulator free flow
Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) failure
oxygen toxicity
dive computer failure or lost slate and or dive tables
hypoxia
hyperoxia
pulmonary toxicity
carbon dioxide
central nervous toxicity
toxicity in dive partner
lost bottom gas
catastrophic gas loss.
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.
Gas plan may include:
equivalent air depth (EAD)
maximum blend depth
gas consumption
actual and reserve gas supply
calculate best mix for any depth
residual oxygen percentage for repetitive diving
oxygen dose
decompression on oxygen
air and enriched air of up to 60 per cent oxygen.
Equipment may include:
exposure suits
mask
fins
weight systems
buoyancy control device (BCD) and harness
multigas computers
gas related equipment
accessories
navigation equipment
communication equipment.
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
development of technical diving and gas plans
technical diving techniques and procedures
rescues and emergency procedures.

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 select, inspect and fit technical diving equipment, including a basic rig
calculates gas mixtures and no decompression limits according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
identifies potential hazards, risks and emergency situations commonly associated with technical diving and implements appropriate risk management procedures according to industry technical and safety criteria
evaluates and reflects on technical diving performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation of technical diving activities that are of a sufficient duration to allow the participant to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information to plan and select appropriate equipment for the technical diving activity
an open water site suitable for technical diving
a suitable diving boat, if required
technical diving, navigation, communication, 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:
observation of the planning and review process with evidence of reference to resources
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of technical diving techniques, procedures, hazards and risks
observation of safe participation and handling of equipment throughout technical diving process
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Industry has determined that this unit must be assessed with the following unit or units:
SISOSCB317A Complete a dive using Enriched Air Nitrox.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.