Required skills

communication skills to inform progress and interact with buddy throughout night diving via physical contact and underwater hand and light signals

teamwork skills to

check assemble and fit buddys dive equipment

negotiate maximum time and depth limits

take extra precautions during night diving to ensure safety of buddy

swimming and navigating skills to safely dive at night

problemsolving skills to

determine time depth and air supply limits

adapt to changing weather and sea conditions

navigate underwater at night

use a dive light to check for other divers and hazards

self and buddy rescue 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 night diving activities

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

selection use and maintenance of SCUBA equipment suitable for night diving characteristics and technology the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment such as lighting options

physics and physiology such as the direct and indirect effects of pressure and signs symptoms prevention and treatment of common SCUBA diving risks such as decompression illness to enable safe performance

weather and environmental information to interpret forecast conditions and their effect on the diving activity

sea features such as currents waves and tides and how these might impact on the night dive

factors affecting buoyancy and how to control sinking and floating

nodecompression dive tables to determine air requirements

underwater communication systems used at night such as hand and torch signals to communicate with and ensure safety of buddy

night navigation techniques to avoid getting lost under water

hazards and risks commonly associated with open water night diving to a depth of metres

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

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 maintain and fit dive and lighting equipment and calculates maximum dive time and depth using a nodecompression table

practices night navigation techniques while maintaining contact and communication with buddy at all times

negotiates hazards and risks and minimises negative impact on nocturnal aquatic animal and plant life throughout night dive according to industry technical and safety criteria relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures

evaluates and reflects on own night diving performance to identify strengths weaknesses and areas that need improvement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple night diving activities to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

resources and information to plan and select appropriate equipment for the SCUBA diving activity

a suitable open water dive site for night diving

a buddy to participate in night dive process

a suitable diving boat if required

SCUBA night navigation communication and safety 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 the planning and review process

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of open water night diving techniques hazards and risks

observation of safe participation and communication with buddy throughout night dives

written and or verbal self evaluation

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended

Guidance information for assessment

Factors affecting site selection may include:

Industry technical and safety criteria may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Night hazards may include:

Physics and physiology may include

Weather and environmental information may include:

Plan may include:

Communication system may include:

Dive equipment may include:

Lighting equipment may include:

Diver's needs and characteristics may include:

Entries to and exits from water may include:

Relevant aspects may include: