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.
Factors affecting site selection may include:
entry and exit points
bottom conditions
aquatic life
subject
environmental conditions
tides and currents
water conditions.
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
Agency Standards.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
communication protocols
code of ethics
minimal impact codes.
Underwater hazards may include:
current
loss of buoyancy
hazardous aquatic life
concentrating on subject rather than diving
nitrogen narcosis
equipment failure
mobility
dexterity
corrosion.
Risks may include:

hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure
barotrauma
nitrogen narcosis
contaminated SCUBA air
cramps
stings or bites from aquatic life
Decompression Illness (DCI).
Principles of video composition may include:
plan the shoot
definition
image completeness
foreground
background
subject direction and position
lighting
contrast
use and pose a model
editing
title pages.
Underwater video equipment may include:
housing
video camera
strobe
aiming lights
trays
arms
sealing rings
recharging systems
film
maintenance kit
playback equipment.
Pre-dive equipment care may include:
housing and loading video
tools
cleaning
lubrication
sealing rings
batteries
electronics.
Underwater video recording techniques may include:
maintaining smooth movements
lighting and composition
normal lens technique
close-up or zoom technique
wide angle technique
keeping a moving subject correctly composed
panning-horizontal movement
tilting-vertical movement
focussing
editing
different environmental conditions
effects of water on light and video recording.
Subjects may include:
fish
aquatic mammals
aquatic plant life
shipwrecks
cave systems
portraits of other divers.
Position may include:
diver propulsion
buoyancy control
body positioning.
Negative impact may include:
suspended particles
light loss
colour absorption.
Post-dive equipment care may include:
washing
lubricating.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
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:
applies relevant process to select and use underwater video recording equipment and undertakes pre and post dive equipment care
performs a range of underwater video recording techniques to capture a variety of subjects and identifies factors affecting quality of footage
negotiates hazards and risks and minimises negative impact on aquatic life throughout dive according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
evaluates and reflects on own underwater video recording performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple underwater video recording activities to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
resources and information to plan and select appropriate under water video equipment
a suitable open water dive site to a maximum depth of 18 metres
SCUBA diving and video 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 safe participation and use of video equipment
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of underwater video recording techniques, hazards and risks
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended for example:
SISOSCB304A Navigate prescribed routes under water.