Required skills

communication skills to

consult with participants to identify individual and group needs

convey information about the safety aspects of the activity

interact with participants to create a safe and positive diving environment

problemsolving skills to

plan a suitable SCUBA diving activity according to participants needs and abilities

make decisions about potential hazards that may affect the activity

respond to nonroutine situations

planning and organising skills to

source allocate and coordinate resources equipment and a suitable dive site

organise participants into buddy pairs for diving

language and literacy skills to

produce a plan for the SCUBA diving activity

complete post activity participant and self evaluations

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in dive emergencies

Required knowledge

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

site specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential dive hazards and any special restrictions applying to the area

equipment types characteristics and technology used for SCUBA diving the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection

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

principles of nutrition to maintain health and energy during the activity

SCUBA diving techniques and underwater communication systems used between buddy and other divers to reduce risk

nodecompression dive tables and limits to determine air requirements

hazards and risks commonly associated with open water SCUBA diving

navigation techniques to avoid getting lost under water

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 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

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

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

Condition of participants may include:

Plan may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Industry technical and safety criteria may include:

Risks may include:

Weather and environmental information may include:

Food and water requirements may include:

Principles of nutrition may include:

Contextual issues may include:

Equipment may include:

Relevant information may include:

Communication system may include:

SCUBA diving techniques may include:

In-water supervision may include:

Variable factors may include:

Relevant aspects may include: