Required skills

communication skills to

inform progress

interact with buddy

signal dive tender throughout dive

teamwork skills to

check assemble and fit equipment

monitor diver at all times while tendering

give recognise and respond to underwater signals

swimming skills to swim metres on the surface and at least metres underwater on surface supply air

problemsolving skills to

determine safe entries and exits

remove and replace equipment on surface

navigate underwater

adapt to changing weather and sea conditions

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

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe and legal conduct of all activities

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

selection use and maintenance of surface supplied air diving equipment characteristics and technology the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment 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 dive

factors affecting buoyancy during surface supplied air diving

physics and physiology such as effects of pressure and signs symptoms prevention and treatment of common hookah diving risks such as carbon monoxide toxicity to enable safe performance in open water to a depth of metres

underwater communication systems to communicate with buddy and or tender

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 plan a safe dive and select maintain and operate surface supplied air diving equipment

demonstrates a range of safe open water dives using surface supplied air and diving techniques such as five point descents and ascents

identifies potential risks and emergency situations commonly associated with open water dives using surface supplied air and implements appropriate emergency management procedures

actively communicates with buddy and tender throughout dive and performs safe tendering of a diver by monitoring and operating surface supply air unit

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in open water dives using surface supplied air that are of a sufficient duration to allow the participant to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

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

access to a suitable open water dive site

access to a suitable buddy and tender to participate in dive process

access to a suitable diving boat

access to surface supplied air diving equipment such as small air compressor air reserve tank portable gasoline engine or electric motor floating air hose gasoline regulator harness exposure suit hood gloves fins full face mask buoyancy compensating device in line pressure gauge bail out cylinder and weight system

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 with evidence of reference to resources

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of open water hookah diving techniques risks and emergency procedures

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

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

Risks may include:

Emergency procedures may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Industry technical and safety criteria may include:

Contextual issues may include:

Relevant sources may include:

Weather and environmental information may include:

Equipment may include:

Maintenance procedures may include:

Five-point descent may include:

Diving techniques may include:

Five-point ascent may include:

Dive tender duties may include:

Relevant aspects may include: