Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISOCVE519A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply sinkhole diving skills

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOCVE519A - Apply sinkhole diving skills
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to sinkhole dive in flooded caverns to a depth of 20-40 metres. This unit is conducted at safe partial pressures of the individual gases within the breathing gas mixture consumed.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those working as specialist sinkhole divers, sinkhole diving adventure guides, instructors or program managers who are required to sinkhole dive to a depth of 20-40 metres. This unit may also apply to leaders working for outdoor education or adventure providers; volunteer groups; not-for-profit organisations or government agencies.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites SISOCVE518A Apply cave diving skillsSISOCVE416A Apply cavern diving skillsSISOSCB302A Complete night dives
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Plan a deep sinkhole dive.
  • Access information on the site and formulate a dive plan according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Identify and plan for potential hazards and risks associated with the sinkhole dive.
  • Identify possible sources of stress associated with sinkhole diving.
  • Convey the dive plan to the rest of the dive team.
  • Establish a communication system to use with buddy and other participants while diving.
       
Element: Select, fit and use sinkhole diving equipment.
  • Select and fit personal equipment, so that it is streamlined to avoid snagging points.
  • Check personal equipment for safety and serviceability prior to the dive according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's specifications.
  • Identify, fit and use group equipment according to manufacturer's specifications.
  • Use underwater breathing systems appropriately.
       
Element: Perform sinkhole dives.
  • Apply sinkhole diving techniques, demonstrating correct posture.
  • Demonstrate effective buoyancy control and anti-silting techniques.
  • Apply minimal impact techniques to minimise damage to the environment while sinkhole diving.
  • Use a range of sinkhole diving techniques to negotiate features of a water-filled sinkhole.
  • Negotiate hazards and apply strategies to reduce risk while sinkhole diving.
  • Apply buddy diving procedures and communication techniques throughout sinkhole dive.
  • Apply techniques to deal with stress where required.
       
Element: Use sinkhole diving specific navigation skills.
  • Apply sinkhole diving navigation aids to navigate through the sinkhole.
  • Demonstrate line placement and use of a cave reel.
       
Element: Evaluate sinkhole diving activity.
  • Evaluate relevant aspects of the sinkhole diving activity.
  • Identify improvements for future sinkhole diving experiences.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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 processes to devise a suitable dive plan and select, maintain and fit dive equipment for the specific sinkhole dive

negotiates hazards, risks and features of a water-filled sinkhole, at depths of 20-40 metres, using various techniques, causing minimal environmental impact

applies sinkhole diving navigation techniques to move through the water-filled sinkhole efficiently, and communicates with and monitors buddy's progress

evaluates and reflects on own sinkhole diving performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in sinkhole diving activities in sinkholes that reflect local conditions and are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

information on the sinkhole dive site to plan a sinkhole dive and select appropriate equipment

suitable locations, including fresh water, for the conduct of sinkhole diving activities

a suitable buddy to participate in dive process

diving, safety and rescue, communication and navigation 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 sinkhole diving techniques, hazards and risks, and techniques to minimise environmental impact

observation of safe participation and communication with buddy throughout diving process

copy of dive plans

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

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

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

problem-solving skills to:

check equipment serviceability prior to use

identify and negotiate potential hazards, risks and stressful situations

apply sinkhole diving specific navigation and anti-silting techniques

maintain buoyancy control

planning and organising skills to:

access information on sinkhole diving site

prepare a dive plan

select and fit equipment

apply minimal impact techniques

communication skills to:

convey information regarding dive to other participants

inform progress and interact with buddy through established communication systems

teamwork skills to safely monitor and assist buddy throughout sinkhole dive

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 conduct of all sinkhole diving activities

types and characteristics of equipment to enable its safe and efficient selection, use and maintenance

features of a water-filled sinkhole and safe negotiation methods

factors affecting buoyancy to control sinking and floating

hazards, risks and sources of stress commonly associated with sinkhole diving

communication systems and buddy diving procedures suitable for sinkhole diving

sinkhole diving specific navigation techniques, including line placement and use of a cave reel, to avoid getting lost under water

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

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.

Dive plan may include:

objectives

maximum time and depth

gas consumption and rules

planned turn around

roles and sequence of divers within the group

communication signals

decompression requirements

contingency management.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

sinkhole access and permit requirements

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety:

medically fit to dive in sinkholes

risk management and emergency procedures

communication protocols

manufacturer's design specifications and recommendations for equipment use

Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines:

Cave Safety Guidelines

Code of Ethics and Conservation

Minimal Impact Caving Code

Cave Diving Code of Practice.

Hazards may include:

rock piles

fauna and flora

unstable roof

changed surface weather conditions

phobias

water depth

decompression

entanglement

current.

Risks may include:

near drowning

hypothermia

injury

separation from group or buddy

cramps

exhaustion

Decompression Illness (DCI).

Sources of stress may include:

light failure

lost buddy

out of air situation

silt out

lost line

cold water

narcosis

dislodged mask.

Communication techniques may include:

hand signals

light signals

line signals

torch signals

written notes.

Personal equipment may include:

diving equipment

safety and rescue equipment

communication equipment

navigation equipment.

Group equipment may include, but not be limited to:

shot-lines

decompression or safety tanks

emergency first aid equipment.

Underwater breathing systems may include:

redundant side mounted SCUBA

redundant back mounted SCUBA

manifolded SCUBA systems.

Sinkhole diving skills may include:

anti-silting

buoyancy control

propulsion

navigation.

Buoyancy control may include:

correct weighting

hovering

controlled descent and ascent

level swimming.

Anti-silting techniques may include:

buoyancy control

propulsion techniques

gear management

body trim.

Minimal impact techniques may include:

avoiding sensitive areas

keeping to marked routes.

Features may include:

rock-piles

thermoclines

haloclines

flora and fauna in the sinkhole

silty floors

loose roofs

speleothems

bones

fossils

fixed lines

survey stations

current.

Strategies to reduce risk may include:

pre-dive checks

low silting propulsion

continuous guidelines to the surface

redundant breathing gas and regulator supplies

backup lights

shot lines.

Buddy diving procedures may include:

monitoring buddy

providing emergency gas to buddy where required.

Techniques to deal with stress may include:

use of backup light or breathing supply

buddy or octopus breathing with buddy

controlled exit from the dive

emergency ascent

relaxation or breathing techniques.

Navigation aids may include:

sinkhole map

survey markers

compass

water flow

trogged paths

fixed guidelines and markers.

Use of cave reel may include:

deploying and retrieving the line

maintaining tension

locking or unlocking the reel.

Relevant aspects may include:

planning processes

communication systems

sinkhole diving skills and minimal impact techniques

buoyancy control and anti-silting techniques.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Access information on the site and formulate a dive plan according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify and plan for potential hazards and risks associated with the sinkhole dive. 
Identify possible sources of stress associated with sinkhole diving. 
Convey the dive plan to the rest of the dive team. 
Establish a communication system to use with buddy and other participants while diving. 
Select and fit personal equipment, so that it is streamlined to avoid snagging points. 
Check personal equipment for safety and serviceability prior to the dive according to organisational policies and procedures and manufacturer's specifications. 
Identify, fit and use group equipment according to manufacturer's specifications. 
Use underwater breathing systems appropriately. 
Apply sinkhole diving techniques, demonstrating correct posture. 
Demonstrate effective buoyancy control and anti-silting techniques. 
Apply minimal impact techniques to minimise damage to the environment while sinkhole diving. 
Use a range of sinkhole diving techniques to negotiate features of a water-filled sinkhole. 
Negotiate hazards and apply strategies to reduce risk while sinkhole diving. 
Apply buddy diving procedures and communication techniques throughout sinkhole dive. 
Apply techniques to deal with stress where required. 
Apply sinkhole diving navigation aids to navigate through the sinkhole. 
Demonstrate line placement and use of a cave reel. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of the sinkhole diving activity. 
Identify improvements for future sinkhole diving experiences. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOCVE519A - Apply sinkhole diving skills
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SISOCVE519A - Apply sinkhole diving skills

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: