Required skills

communication skills to

consult with participants to plan an appropriate specialised SCUBA diving session

convey information about the safety aspects of the session

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problemsolving skills to

plan specialised SCUBA diving sessions according to participants needs and characteristics

address participant difficulties in developing techniques

anticipate and respond appropriately to nonroutine situations

planning and organising skills to

source allocate and coordinate resources equipment and a suitable diving site

monitor and evaluate progress

organise participants into manageable groups or buddy pairs for specialised diving

language and literacy skills to

produce specialised SCUBA diving and instructional plans for the session

complete postsession participant and self evaluations

personal specialised SCUBA diving skills required for specific specialised dives to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain techniques to participants

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies whilst instructing specialised SCUBA diving

Required knowledge

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

site specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential specialised 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

instructional techniques and theories applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities

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

specialist diving knowledge required for specific areas such as the types and features of underwater photography equipment used during a specialist photography dive

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

nodecompression dive tables and limits to determine air requirements

hazards and risks commonly associated with the specific open water specialised SCUBA diving activity

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 and delivers information explanations and demonstrations for specialised SCUBA diving sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participants needs and characteristics

observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve specialised SCUBA diving technique and performance

uses and modifies instructional techniques and or activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure instruction of e specialised SCUBA diving activities that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

a suitable open water SCUBA diving site and controlled location for the conduct of instructional dive sessions

groups of participants to take part in the specialised SCUBA diving sessions

a suitable diving boat if required

specialised SCUBA diving navigation communication safety rescue first aid and teaching equipment

resources and information regarding participants and location to plan instruct and document specialised SCUBA diving sessions 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 processes such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics

oral or written questioning to assess application of legislation industry technical and safety criteria and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe conduct of all specialised SCUBA diving activities

observation of safe specialised SCUBA diving instruction monitoring and adjustment according to participants needs and characteristics

portfolio of specialised SCUBA diving session plans

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

Characteristics may include:

Specialised SCUBA diving may include:

Session's aims and objectives may include:

Instructional plan may include:

Specialise SCUBA diving plan may include:

Industry technical and safety criteria may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Hazards may include:

Risks may include:

Weather and environmental information may include:

Contingency plans may include:

Equipment may include:

Resources may include:

Safety procedures may include:

Instructional techniques may include:

Required knowledge may include:

Specialised SCUBA diving techniques may include:

Safety and rescue procedures may include:

Relevant aspects may include: