Assessor Resource

SISOSCB305A
Complete underwater search and recovery dives

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to current or aspiring SCUBA dive guides or instructors specialising in search and recovery diving in controlled open water environments to a maximum depth of 18 metres. This may include those working for private dive schools or companies operating at coastal sites or through holiday resorts.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to complete underwater search and recovery dives. This includes planning underwater searches and recovering an object that weighs between 6 and 45 kilograms.

No licensing, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

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

Prerequisites

SISOSCB301A SCUBA dive in open water to a maximum depth of 18 metres.

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.

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 a range of underwater search techniques, such as circular and U pattern searches, to locate objects of different size and weight

applies processes to recover various objects weighing between 6 and 45 kilograms, using knots and safe lifting techniques according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures

negotiates hazards and risks, and minimises negative impact on aquatic animal and plant life throughout search and recovery

evaluates and reflects on search and recovery performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in search and recovery diving activities that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a suitable open water SCUBA dive site

a buddy to participate in search and recovery dive

a suitable diving boat, if required

SCUBA, navigation and recovery equipment and an object weighing between 6 and 45 kilograms to recover.

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

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of factors affecting selection of search and recovery techniques in open water

observation of safe participation and communication with buddy throughout search and recovery dives

written and or verbal self evaluation

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:

SISOSCB309A Complete dives off boats.

Guidance information for assessment

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.

Required skills

communication and teamwork skills to:

inform progress during search

interact with buddy via underwater hand signals

recover and lift an object weighing up to 45 kilograms to the surface

problem-solving skills to:

determine factors affecting search, underwater navigation and appropriate recovery methods according to depth, size and weight of object

tie knots to secure load for safe lifting

numeracy skills to calculate weight of load and determine suitable lifting method

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the site to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge

legislation, organisational policies and procedures and industry technical and safety criteria to enable safe conduct of all deep water SCUBA diving activities

selection, use and maintenance of SCUBA and lifting equipment, characteristics and technology, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment

weather and environmental information to interpret conditions and their effect on the search and recovery dive

hazards and risks commonly associated with open water search and recovery techniques to a depth of 18 metres

underwater search patterns, such as linear and circular searches to find an object

navigation techniques to search for an object under water

knots and lifting techniques suitable to the depth, size and weight of the object

underwater communication systems such as signs and signals used to communicate with buddy

emergency, first aid and rescue procedures appropriate to the location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group

minimal impact interactions and techniques to minimise negative impact on aquatic animal and plant life.

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.

Underwater search may include:

linear

circular

U pattern

jack stay

expanding square.

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

manufacturer's recommendations.

Factors may include:

bottom topography

water movement

depth

visibility.

Risks and hazards may include:

slipping knots

runaway ascent

load dislodgment

entanglement

hypothermia

cramps

exhaustion

stings or bites

Decompression Illness (DCI).

Knots may include:

bowline

half hitch

sheet bend.

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.

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
Identify the need for an underwater search and make suitable arrangements according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Determine factors affecting selection of search techniques. 
Navigate underwater search according to industry technical and safety criteria. 
Identify and mark location of found object. 
Plan recovery exercise according industry technical and safety criteria. 
Determine suitable recovery methods according to size, depth and weight of object to be recovered. 
Negotiate risks and hazards associated with underwater lifting techniques. 
Demonstrate displacement and lift calculations according to industry technical and safety criteria. 
Tie knots underwater according to the characteristics of the object and chosen recovery method. 
Raise object to the surface using lifting equipment according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of the search and recovery exercise. 
Identify improvements for future search and recovery dives. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOSCB305A - Complete underwater search and recovery dives
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SISOSCB305A - Complete underwater search and recovery dives

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: