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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan for a deep dive.
  2. Select and use deep dive equipment.
  3. Perform deep dives.
  4. Evaluate deep dives.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to inform progress and interact with buddy via underwater hand signals

teamwork skills to

check assemble and fit buddys dive equipment

negotiate maximum time and depth limits

deep dive with and look out for buddy

problemsolving skills to

determine time depth and air supply limits

navigate underwater

adapt to changing weather and sea conditions

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 deep water SCUBA diving activities

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

selection use and maintenance of SCUBA equipment characteristics and technology the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment

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 dive

factors affecting buoyancy and how to control sinking and floating

nodecompression dive tables to determine air requirements

physics physiology hazards and risks commonly associated with deep diving to a depth of metres and signs symptoms prevention and treatment of common deep diving risks such as decompression illness to enable safe performance

navigation techniques to avoid getting lost under water

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

Evidence Required

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 equipment and calculates maximum dive time and depth using a nodecompression table

demonstrates safe deep diving techniques according to industry technical and safety criteria relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures

identifies symptoms prevention and treatment for potential deep diving risks negotiates hazards and minimises negative impact on aquatic animal and plant life throughout dive

communicates with and monitors buddys progress and physiological and psychological well being throughout the deep dive

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple SCUBA deep 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 deep diving activity

a suitable open water deep diving site

a suitable buddy to participate in deep dive process

a suitable diving boat if required

SCUBA 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

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of deep diving techniques hazards and risks

observation of safe participation and communication with buddy throughout deep diving process

written and or verbal self evaluation

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

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

for example

SISOSCBA Complete dives off boats

SISOSCB309A Complete dives off boats.

Guidance information for assessment


Range Statement

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.

Deep diving plan may include:

objectives

date, time and duration of dive

site and equipment

suitable buddy

time, depth and air supply limits

safety and emergency procedures.

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.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

poor visibility

rough conditions

rocks and reefs

water depth

squeezes

barotrauma

panic

aquatic animals and plants.

Physics and physiology may include

pressure or volume or density relationships

temperature

buoyancy

respiration

air consumption

ingassing and offgassing

decompression sickness

nitrogen narcosis

oxygen toxicity

carbon monoxide toxicity

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

eshaustion

lost party or party member

equipment failure

nitrogen narcosis

drifting

hypercapnia

buoyancy control

near drowning

getting lost or separated from group

barotrauma

nitrogen narcosis

contaminated SCUBA air

cramps

stings or bites

Decompression Illness (DCI).

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.

Deep dive 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 tool

communication equipment

navigation equipment.

Diver's needs and characteristics may include:

age

cultural and situational factors

previous dive experience and knowledge

physical development

diver's build, weight and lung capacity.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.