Assessor Resource

DEFDV001B
Dive using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus in open water to 30 metres

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


As agreed in the creation of this Training Package, applications for units transferred from the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package will be developed as part of continuous improvement plans, and taking into account the change in Unit of Competency format as detailed in templates for Streamlined Training Packages.

This unit covers the competency required to dive using selfcontained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) in an open water environment to a depth of 30 metres.

The unit includes planning the dive (including using decompression tables); selecting, inspecting and fitting equipment; entry to the water from a range of platforms; conducting descent to, and servicing time at, the required depth; the ascent (including using decompression techniques); exiting from the water to the original platform; and removing and refurbishing equipment.

During the dive, divers must demonstrate situational awareness of their position and orientation, their equipment (including depth, time and air gauges), and other divers. They must be able to communicate (verbally by radio and nonverbally through signalling methods), to navigate underwater, and to manage the range of surface and subsurface hazards inherent to diving.

The unit also covers divers’ ability to perceive, both in themselves and others, the signs and symptoms of diving induced medical problems, and to take necessary corrective action/s; and to appropriately react to, and manage, a range of individual and group contingencies/emergencies.

Note: This Unit of Competency has been aligned with the existing standards of the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS). This Unit of Competency relates, in part, to the minimum standard for a diver using SCUBA to a depth of 30 metres. ADAS refers to this as ‘restricted’. Further experience is required to gain an ADAS ‘unrestricted’ rating.

Tables for both of these ADAS ratings are provided in the Evidence Guide. 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 only on the information contained in this unit.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

HLTFA311A Apply first aid.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

safely enter and exit the water appropriate to the launch platform, equipment and conditions

avoid and manage medical complications during dives

avoid and manage hazards during dives

comply with assigned callsigns

act as a relay between two callsigns

receive a number of hand signal messages, demanding acknowledgement, interpretation and appropriate responses from the diver

relay hand signal message to other divers

receive a number of written messages including diagrams, demanding acknowledgement, interpretation and appropriate responses from the diver

draft a number of written messages including diagrams

receive a number single line signal messages, demanding acknowledgement, interpretation and appropriate responses from the diver

navigate underwater, using a compass only, a complete triangle, of side length not less than 30 m (waypoints only to be distinguishable within 8 m).

Consistency in performance

Competency will be demonstrated over a minimum of 12 (ADAS Pt 1 Restricted) dives with the diver diving to 30 m using SCUBA (air) in open water that includes the following requirements:

day and night

subsurface conditions:

current (0–2 knots)

visibility (0 metre +)

temperature (0 degrees +)

range of surface and subsurface hazards.

Table 1 (below) outlines the minimum dives required by this Unit of Competency. At the time of printing, this contributed to the achievement of an ADAS Pt 1 (restricted) license, however divers seeking ADAS licensing need to confirm details with ADAS.

Table 1

Condition

No of Dives

Bottom time (mins)

Remarks

Between 030m

12

325

Represents total accrued – refer ADAS Pt 1 Restricted (Science Diver)

Special Qualifiers

2530m dive

1

15

Zero visibility

1

20

Depth: 29 m

Night

(+30 mins sunset/

sunrise)

1

20

Depth: 10 m

Table 2 (below) outlines the minimum dives required for an ‘unrestricted’ ADAS Pt 1 license, however divers seeking ADAS licensing need to confirm details with ADAS.

Table 2

Condition

No of Dives

Bottom time

(mins)

Remarks

Between 030m

21

660

Represents total accrued – refer ADAS Pt 1 Diver

Special Qualifiers

2830 m dive

1

15

Zero visibility

2

20 (per dive)

Depth: 29 m

Night (+30 mins sunset/

sunrise)

1

20

Depth: 29 m

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency will be assessed in the ocean over a range of oceanic, diurnal and nocturnal environments, 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; open water dive site; and dive platform.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

compile briefs and clear messages

conduct decompression stops

conduct predetermined decompression requirements

conduct unplanned decompression procedures arising from the onset of (simulated) compression related problems

navigate

signalling:

hand signalling

line signalling

written signalling

switch from primary to the reserve air system

use the phonetic alphabet

use words twice procedures

Required Knowledge

decompression calculations

dive equipment

dive physics

dive physiology and medicine:

heat and cold illnesses

compression illnesses

decompression illnesses

general occupational/diving safety awareness:

diving in harbours

diving in tidal waters, currents and tides

diving on/near a ship's bottom (e.g. boats, propellers, etc.)

lost/separated

entrapment/foul lines

marine animal threats

pollution/weed

working in confined spaces

general precautions to be taken against the range of hazards

hand signals

handling procedures for non-functional items

line signals

literacy

marine animal threats

marine hazards

navigation theory

oceanography

radio frequency hazards

radio telephone procedures (RTP)

relevant references and Australian Standards

phonetic alphabet

principles of underwater communication systems and diver intercom systems and their limitations

safe operating ranges for air-supplies

surfacing procedures

use of (air) decompression tables to determine decompression time/s and depth/s for a range of dive profiles

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.

Decompression tables may include:

Defence Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine

Equipment may include:

breathing system and devices:

cylinder

configuration

demand

independent primary

pressure

positive

single

supply

buoyancy devices:

buoyancy compensator

weight belt

dive clothing:

fins

gloves

wetsuit (includes booties and hood)

diving accessory equipment:

communications slate

compass

face mask/mouthpiece ensemble

knife

watch

safety equipment:

diver’s safety lines

Entry to the water may include:

dive

forward/backward jump

rollback

walkin (backwards)

Platforms may include:

boats

semipermanent platforms

ships

Buoyancy includes:

positive

negative

neutral

Decompression techniques may include:

lazyshot and drifting stops

lazyshot and fixed shot rope

lazyshot and float line

lazy shot and life line

surface

Diving descent and ascent techniques may include:

breathing

buoyancy maintenance

equalisation

maintaining situational and positional awareness throughout the dive

monitoring equipment and gauges

propulsion

surfacing

Relevant factors may include:

air

depth

equipment

location

other divers

time

Threats may include:

pollution

weed

other debris

Effects of open water environment may include:

currents

swells

wave action

Ensuring recovery may include:

employing rendezvous procedures

surfacing

Surface and subsurface hazards may include:

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 outfalls

nets

safety, anchor and communications lines

sluices

sewers

submerged ships, vehicles and structures

vessel rocking and associated movement

Ensuring safe surfacing must include:

checking for the sounds of propellers before committing to breaching the surface

advancing the arm above the head for protection and signalling, and once surfaced, gaining 360 degree awareness

Electronic communications device may include:

topside/surface

subsurface divers systems:

hard wire

through water voice

Accessories may include:

antenna

ear set

microphone

Radio telephone procedures may include:

callsigns

phonetic alphabet

prowords

relaying messages

words twice procedures

Dangerous items may include:

explosives

Assisting other divers may include:

physically recovering a diver to the surface using the ‘companion diver’ drill (including unconscious companion)

searching for a lost buddy

sharing air supply through buddy breathing

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Dive plan is constructed using decompression tables. 
Dive plan is discussed and cleared, as necessary, by the supervisor. 
Equipment is selected, inspected for serviceability, fitted and tested if required. 
Any unserviceable equipment is quarantined and defects are reported according to organisational procedures. 
Independent check of fit and function of equipment by a diver's attendant or dive supervisor is ensured. 
Markers are positioned in the water to identify the presence of divers. 
Water is entered from sea-borne and land-borne platforms. 
An in-water leak test is conducted at the surface to ensure the integrity and functionality of the equipment. 
In-water checks are conducted. 
Buoyancy is adjusted to commence the dive and as required throughout the dive. 
Measured and controlled breathing is maintained throughout the dive operation. 
Measured and controlled finning is maintained throughout the dive operation. 
Discomfort is prevented and safety is ensured by descending and ascending at an appropriate rate in accordance with dive plan, using appropriate decompression techniques. 
Diving descent and ascent techniques are implemented. 
Relevant factors are monitored throughout the dive. 
Threats posed are avoided or managed to ensure personal safety. 
Effects of open water environment are considered and managed during the dive to prevent impact against rocks, hulls or interference with other divers. 
Spatial awareness is recovered when balance is lost under conditions of zero visibility. 
When lost and/or separated, recovery is ensured. 
 
 
 
Signs and symptoms of compression related problems are recognised (in self and others) and immediate corrective procedures are taken. 
Signs and symptoms of decompression related problems are recognised (in self and others) and immediate corrective procedures are taken. 
Heat and cold related problems are recognised (in self and others) and immediate corrective procedures are taken. 
Electronic communications device and accessories are inspected for serviceability and fitted. 
Messages are transmitted and received in accordance with radio telephone procedures (RTP). 
Electronic communications device transmission safety requirements are adhered to when working around dangerous items. 
Electronic communications device and accessories are de serviced and stowed. 
Diver-to-diver hand signals are used appropriately throughout the dive operation. 
Written and diagrammatic communications on underwater writing boards are used appropriately throughout the dive operation. 
Standard single line signals are used appropriately throughout the dive operation. 
Compass bearing is maintained underwater using a compass. 
Distance for a constant swim rate underwater is estimated and maintained. 
Distance travelled is estimated using a watch. 
Flooded face mask is resolved by clearing and refitting. 
Blocked mouthpiece is resolved by clearing and refitting. 
Failed primary breathing system is resolved through switching to the alternate sources. 
Irrecoverable malfunctions are managed through buddy breathing and/or emergency surfacing. 
Lost/severed safety line/s are managed through surfacing. 
Significant systemic failures are managed through the ditching drill and emergency surfacing drill. 
Surfacing is accomplished with the optimum safe speed on hearing the emergency recall signal. 
Other divers are assisted. 
Equipment is maintained during the dive. 
Post-dive, equipment is de-serviced, and tested (if required) and stowed. 
Unserviceable equipment is quarantined and defects are reported in accordance with organisational procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFDV001B - Dive using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus in open water to 30 metres
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Assessment Record Sheet

DEFDV001B - Dive using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus in open water to 30 metres

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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