Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables places the competency in context and allows for differences between enterprises and workplaces, including practices, knowledge and requirements. The range of variables also provides a focus for assessment and relates to the unit as a whole. The following variables may be present.

Equipment:
· main and reserve air supplies
· breathing apparatus:
· demand type (band mask and helmet)
· free-flow type
· diver's clothing
· weights, fins and masks
· buoyancy compensator
· safety harness
· depth-measuring instruments
· diving watch
· dive computer
· shot-line
· umbilicals
· gauges
· surface-supply panel
· surface-supply compressor unit
· communication systems:
· topside and diver
· power supply
· tape recorders and tapes
· catch bags
· SSBA.

Operation:
· collecting sea animals:
· pearls
· abalone
· molluscs
· beche-de-mer
· crayfish
· sea urchins
· broodstock
· ornamental fish
· tending aquaculture animals
· installing, servicing and maintaining ponds, farm environment, cages and associated equipment
· retrieving lost tools and equipment
· collecting dead stock
· eradicating predators
· from a beach
· from a vessel
· from a jetty.

Person in charge:
· team dive
· single person dive
· dive supervisor.

Protective clothing:
Exposure suits:
· wet
· dry
· warmed.

Tools:
· knives
· screwdrivers
· shifting spanners
· open and ring spanners
· shackle spanners
· hammers
· hacksaws
· cold chisels
· files
· netting needles
· harvest tools
· imaging equipment
· cleaning tools.

Guidelines:
· Australian occupational dive standards
· Australian Dive Accreditation System
· recreational dive industry standards
· codes of practice
· Occupational Health and Safety codes of practice and regulations
· other regulations relevant to the type of diving operation and area of activity.

Decompression procedures:
· ascent rate
· safety stops
· surface interval
· repetitive group
· flight time exclusion
· emergency
· decompression restrictions
· altitude restrictions.

Communication:
· voice
· lifeline signals
· hand signals
· slate.

Work relationships:
· other divers
· surface support team
· vessel crew.

Each unit of competency has an evidence guide that relates directly to the performance criteria and the range of variables. Its purpose is to guide assessment of the unit in the workplace and/or training program. The following components provide information to assist this purpose.

Underpinning knowledge
The underpinning knowledge identified for this unit is comprehensive due to its likely inclusion in a group of units that may be used as the basis for the issue of licences by regulatory bodies.

The essential knowledge and understanding a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· minimum equipment required for an SSBA diving operation
· various SSBA configurations and their key features
· function and operating method of each item used in an SSBA diving operation
· function and regulation of main and reserve air supplies
· pressure values for different depths and awareness of pneumofathometer
· testing, connection and maintenance procedures for SSBA
· common equipment faults and consequences of incorrect use
· correct dressing and undressing sequence for SSBA
· methods to enter and exit the water
· possible hazards associated with an SSBA diving operation and precautions to reduce risk
· diving physiology principles and appropriate medicine for SSBA diving operations
· principles of underwater communication systems
· decompression principles, tables and procedures
· legal and regulatory procedures and requirements.

Practical skills
The essential skills a person needs to perform work to the required standard include:
· checking and preparing equipment for an SSBA diving operation
· dressing correctly for the type and duration of the diving operation prior to entering the water
· operating SSBA at pre-dive stage and checking all related equipment
· preparing a dive plan, checklist and risk assessment
· entering and exiting the water under various situations
· diving in open water to a maximum depth of 30 metres using SSBA and:
· appropriate operational techniques for the prevailing conditions
· correct breathing techniques for the duration of the dive
· correct techniques and rates for descent and ascent
· using correct decompression procedures
· providing tender duties to another diver by:
· assisting diver safely into and out of the water
· monitoring diver's equipment and condition
· conforming to operational procedures in dealing with diver's umbilical
· establishing and maintaining effective communication using:
· hand and line signals
· voice communication systems
· correct voice procedures and the phonetic alphabet
· operating SSBA with divers in the water
· undressing correctly on completion of an SSBA diving operation
· carrying out post-dive equipment checks
· decontaminating, cleaning and storing all equipment.

Literacy skills used for:
· reading regulations and industry guidelines
· reading dive tables
· keeping records
· reading diver's first aid literature
· following an emergency action plan
· completing 'dive accident medical information' forms.

Numeracy skills used for:
· making calculations involving pressure, volume and temperature relationships
· using decompression information.

Critical aspects of competence
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
· complete pre-dive preparations for occupational diving operations
· dress correctly for diving operations and undress correctly at completion of a dive
· operate SSBA at pre-dive stage and while in the water
· undertake a dive in open water to a maximum depth of 30 metres using SSBA
· use decompression principles, tables and procedures
· perform tender duties for a diver
· carry out post-dive equipment checks
· use, maintain and store equipment including:
· main and reserve air supplies
· breathing apparatus: demand type (band mask and helmet) and free-flow type
· diver's clothing
· weights, fins and masks
· buoyancy compensator
· safety harness
· depth-measuring instruments
· diving watch
· dive computer
· shot-line
· umbilicals
· gauges
· surface-supply panel.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
· anatomy, diving physics and physiology principles
· pre-dive and post-dive procedures
· diving equipment operating procedures
· hazards associated with SSBA diving operations
· diving-related medical conditions and their treatments.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit may be assessed after/with:
· No recommendations.

Context of assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
· observation of practical demonstration
· written or oral short answer testing
· practical exercises
· project work.

Resources required for assessment
Resources may include:
· suitable diving environment
· diving equipment for SSBA diving operations as listed in the range of variables.