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

SISOSCB304A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Navigate prescribed routes underwater

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOSCB304A - Navigate prescribed routes underwater
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to measure distance, determine direction and navigate underwater along prescribed routes.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to current or aspiring SCUBA dive guides or instructors working in controlled open water environments to a maximum depth of 18 metres. This may include those working for private dive schools or companies operating at coastal sites or through holiday resorts.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
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 prescribed routes.
  • Identify standard methods formeasuring distance and determining direction.
  • Assess hazards associated with navigating underwater and implement procedures to minimise risks according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Select navigation equipment, set compass bearing and determine roles with buddy.
       
Element: Navigate underwater.
  • Determine direction underwater by using a compass and or natural phenomena.
  • Navigate a straight line and its reciprocal using standard methods for measuring distance and direction indicators according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Follow a prescribed route with changes of direction and record measurement on slate.
       
Element: Evaluate navigation techniques.
  • Evaluate relevant aspects of the underwater navigation activity.
  • Identify improvements for future underwater navigation 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:

measures distances and determines and maintains direction underwater using both compass and natural phenomena to navigate a straight line

negotiates hazards and risks associated with underwater navigation, and minimises negative impact on aquatic animal and plant life

evaluates and reflects on navigation performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that need improvement.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple underwater navigation activities to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to:

an open water SCUBA dive site

a suitable buddy to participate in underwater navigation activity

a suitable diving boat, if required

SCUBA, navigation and recovery 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:

observation of the planning and review process

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of a range of standard methods for measuring distance and processes to determine and maintain direction throughout underwater navigation

observation of safe participation and communication with buddy during activity

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Industry has determined that this unit must be assessed with the following unit or units:

SISOSCB301A SCUBA dive in open water to a maximum depth of 18 metres.

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

communication and teamwork skills to inform progress with buddy and determine roles throughout underwater navigation activity

problem-solving skills to:

determine direction using a compass and or natural phenomena

measure and calculate distance using standard methods

follow a prescribed route in open water

numeracy skills to set compass bearings, measure distance and record information to support safe underwater navigation

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 underwater navigation activities

features, operation and usage of navigation equipment to measure distance and direction

weather and environmental information to interpret forecast and conditions and their effect on the activity

hazards and risks associated with navigating in open water to a depth of 18 metres

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

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

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.

Standard methods for measuring distance may include:

kick cycles

time

arm spans

diver line reel or rope.

Direction may include:

straight line

turn

square

triangle.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

depth

currents

visibility

time

air depletion

entanglement

disorientation.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

exhaustion

lost part or party member

equipment failure

loosing track of visual references

diving deeper than intending

barotrauma

nitrogen narcosis

contaminated SCUBA air

stings or bites

Decompression Illness (DCI).

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

minimal impact codes.

Navigation equipment may include:

underwater compass and watch

slate

land compass to plot route before dive

GPS to use from boat to get to site

buoys to map location.

Roles may include:

monitoring bearing and direction, using compass

monitoring air consumption, depth and hazards

monitors navigation, air consumption, depth and hazards while diving together.

Natural phenomena may include:

wrecks

cliffs

pinnacles

reefs

sand bars

current

waves.

Direction indicators may include:

using a compass

using natural phenomena.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.

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
Identify standard methods formeasuring distance and determining direction. 
Assess hazards associated with navigating underwater and implement procedures to minimise risks according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select navigation equipment, set compass bearing and determine roles with buddy. 
Determine direction underwater by using a compass and or natural phenomena. 
Navigate a straight line and its reciprocal using standard methods for measuring distance and direction indicators according to industry technical and safety criteria, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Follow a prescribed route with changes of direction and record measurement on slate. 
Evaluate relevant aspects of the underwater navigation activity. 
Identify improvements for future underwater navigation experiences. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOSCB304A - Navigate prescribed routes underwater
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

SISOSCB304A - Navigate prescribed routes underwater

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: