Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:37 PM AWST
22/07/2026 8:37 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.
Guide a SCUBA dive
Guide a SCUBA dive
Unit of competency
National Code
SISOSCB308A
SISOSCB308A
State Code
D6454
D6454
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
30/03/2012
Field of Education
092101 - Sport And Recreation Activities
Original Release Date
30/03/2012
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to guide a SCUBA dive. This unit focuses on the application of planning skills to make suitable arrangements to guide groups safely on SCUBA diving activities.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan a SCUBA diving activity.
- 1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the conditionofparticipants.
- 1.2. Develop an activity plan according to participant's needs, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.3. Select an appropriate site for SCUBA diving according to participant's abilities, activity objectives, industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
- 1.4. Identify hazards associated with SCUBA diving and minimise risks to ensure personal safety of participants.
- 1.5. Access relevantsources to interpret detailed weather and environmental information to determine activity plan.
- 1.6. Determine food and water requirements according to principles of nutrition and contextual issues of the activity.
- 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 SCUBA diving equipment.
- 2.1. Supervise selection of equipment according to design and construction features and organisational policies and procedures and check serviceability.
- 2.2. Assess equipment for safety and suitability and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.
- 2.3. Check safety and rescue equipment to ensure suitability to the group and the dive.
3. Brief participants.
- 3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information about the SCUBA diving activity in a manner suitable to the participants.
- 3.2. Outline safe diving procedures relevant to the dive site, dive conditions and planned dive activity.
- 3.3. Explain symptoms, treatment and prevention of common SCUBA diving risks to assist participants in self-monitoring.
- 3.4. Establish a suitable communication system for participants to use while SCUBA diving.
- 3.5. Check and confirm participants are properly equipped for the dive.
4. Lead SCUBA diving activity.
- 4.1. Demonstrate correct SCUBA diving techniques to participants.
- 4.2. Apply in-water supervision techniques and monitor SCUBA diving techniques to ensure safety of participants.
- 4.3. Identify potential hazards and determine how they can be overcome or avoided.
- 4.4. Identify underwater features and aquatic life.
- 4.5. Implement appropriate modifications to activity in regard to all variable factors that are monitored.
- 4.6. Respond to emergencies or no-routine situations according to industry technical and safety criteria and organisational policies and procedures.
5. Complete post activity responsibilities.
- 5.1. Ensure all divers are accounted for and notify relevant authority of dive completion.
- 5.2. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures.
- 5.3. Ensure dive safety logs are completed before and after the dive according to industry technical and safety criteria and organisational policies and procedures.
- 5.4. Evaluate relevant aspects of diving activity.
- 5.5. Identify potential areas of improvement for future diving activities.
- 5.6. Review own performance and identify potential improvements.
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.
Condition of participants may include:
age
cultural and situational factors
previous experience and knowledge
physical development
diver's build, weight and lung capacity.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
safety and emergency requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
working with children
environmental regulations
marine regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety:
medically fit to dive to a maximum of 18 metres
communication protocols
assessment procedures
time and budget constraints
confidentiality of participant information
code of ethics.
Industry technical and safety criteria may include:
British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
SCUBA Schools International (SSI).
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
rough conditions
rocks and reefs
boat traffic
phobias
darkness or poor visibility
decompression
water depth
squeezes
barotrauma
panic
aquatic animals and plants.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure
near drowning
getting separated from group
barotrauma
nitrogen narcosis
contaminated SCUBA air
cramps
pressure or volume or density relationships
buoyancy
respiration
air consumption
direct and indirect effects of pressure
nitrogen narcosis
oxygen toxicity
carbon monoxide toxicity
stings or bites
Decompression Illness (DCI):
Ingassing or offgassing nitrogen
residual nitrogen.
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 warnings
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size
season and weather
participant characteristics
number of staff
safety and rescue requirements
dive duration
depth and currents.
Equipment may include:
fins
mask
snorkel
wetsuit or drysuits
buoyancy control device (BCD) with low pressure inflator
compressed air cylinder and valve
regulator and backpack
alternate air source
submersible pressure gauge
timing device
depth gauge
no-decompression tables
computer
weight belt and weights
diver's tools
safety and rescue equipment
specialist diving equipment
communication equipment
navigation equipment.
Relevant information may include:
personal equipment requirements
safety procedures
buddy and communication systems
responsible behaviour
risk and hazard prevention and management.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles
head signals
dive slate
dive flags
dive site maps
visual or physical contact with buddy.
SCUBA diving techniques may include:
entries to and exits from the water
mask and regulator removal, recovery and replacement in water
buddy system
buoyancy control
underwater navigation
descending and ascending
equalising pressure
self and buddy rescues
bearings or reciprocal bearings
dive calculations.
In-water supervision may include:
monitoring diver's air
ensuring planned bottom times aren't exceeded
ensuring divers don't get separated or run low on air.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
water conditions.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
assessment technique
group feedback
directing techniques
rescue techniques employed.
Condition of participants may include:
age
cultural and situational factors
previous experience and knowledge
physical development
diver's build, weight and lung capacity.
Plan may include:
aims and objectives
date, time and duration
location, equipment and resources
safety and emergency requirements.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
working with children
environmental regulations
marine regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety:
medically fit to dive to a maximum of 18 metres
communication protocols
assessment procedures
time and budget constraints
confidentiality of participant information
code of ethics.
Industry technical and safety criteria may include:
British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)
Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
SCUBA Schools International (SSI).
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
rough conditions
rocks and reefs
boat traffic
phobias
darkness or poor visibility
decompression
water depth
squeezes
barotrauma
panic
aquatic animals and plants.
Risks may include:
hypothermia
heat exhaustion
injuries
exhaustion
lost party or party member
equipment failure
near drowning
getting separated from group
barotrauma
nitrogen narcosis
contaminated SCUBA air
cramps
pressure or volume or density relationships
buoyancy
respiration
air consumption
direct and indirect effects of pressure
nitrogen narcosis
oxygen toxicity
carbon monoxide toxicity
stings or bites
Decompression Illness (DCI):
Ingassing or offgassing nitrogen
residual nitrogen.
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 warnings
synoptic charts
high and low tide predictions.
Food and water requirements may include:
menu planning and preparation
range of foods.
Principles of nutrition may include:
food groups
dietary guidelines
individual food requirements and allergies.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size
season and weather
participant characteristics
number of staff
safety and rescue requirements
dive duration
depth and currents.
Equipment may include:
fins
mask
snorkel
wetsuit or drysuits
buoyancy control device (BCD) with low pressure inflator
compressed air cylinder and valve
regulator and backpack
alternate air source
submersible pressure gauge
timing device
depth gauge
no-decompression tables
computer
weight belt and weights
diver's tools
safety and rescue equipment
specialist diving equipment
communication equipment
navigation equipment.
Relevant information may include:
personal equipment requirements
safety procedures
buddy and communication systems
responsible behaviour
risk and hazard prevention and management.
Communication system may include:
calls
radio
hand signals
whistles
head signals
dive slate
dive flags
dive site maps
visual or physical contact with buddy.
SCUBA diving techniques may include:
entries to and exits from the water
mask and regulator removal, recovery and replacement in water
buddy system
buoyancy control
underwater navigation
descending and ascending
equalising pressure
self and buddy rescues
bearings or reciprocal bearings
dive calculations.
In-water supervision may include:
monitoring diver's air
ensuring planned bottom times aren't exceeded
ensuring divers don't get separated or run low on air.
Variable factors may include:
change of weather
equipment failure
water conditions.
Relevant aspects may include:
objectives
planning process
activity site
weather
equipment selection
clothing selection
food selection
instructional content
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 within activity constraints and guides and monitors groups in a safe and professional manner
applies contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that commonly arise during SCUBA diving
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of SCUBA diving activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable open water SCUBA dive site that enables the demonstration and practice of SCUBA diving techniques
participants to take part in the SCUBA diving activity
a suitable diving boat if required
SCUBA, navigation, communication and safety equipment
resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document SCUBA diving activity 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 and guiding processes and interacting with a group of participants including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge and application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all SCUBA diving activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of SCUBA diving activity 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 within activity constraints and guides and monitors groups in a safe and professional manner
applies contingency management techniques to deal with a range of problems and issues that commonly arise during SCUBA diving
encourages and responds to group feedback and evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure the safe guiding of SCUBA diving activities that reflect the needs of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.
Assessment must also ensure access to:
a suitable open water SCUBA dive site that enables the demonstration and practice of SCUBA diving techniques
participants to take part in the SCUBA diving activity
a suitable diving boat if required
SCUBA, navigation, communication and safety equipment
resources and information regarding participants and location to plan, guide and document SCUBA diving activity 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 and guiding processes and interacting with a group of participants including conveying information for safe participation
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge and application of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all SCUBA diving activities
observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions and equipment failure
review of SCUBA diving activity 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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C6268 | SROSCB010A | Guide a SCUBA dive | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBE78 | SISOSCB010 | Lead SCUBA diving activities | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J761 | SIS30413 | Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| J768 | SIS40313 | Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation | Qualification |
| AZV7 | SIT30116 | Certificate III in Tourism | Qualification |