ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Operate a surface supply panel

1.1 Surface supply panel and associated equipment are inspected for serviceability and all gauges are checked to ensure that they are in-date.

1.2 Main and reserve air supplies are connected to the surface supply panel and supply is confirmed independently from each.

1.3 Seals and connections are checked for integrity, correct function and correct line-up.

1.4 Each umbilical from the surface supply panel is individually confirmed as supplying a specific diver.

1.5 Operator level maintenance on the surface supply panel is performed at the work site.

1.6 Surface supply panel is de-serviced after use.

2. Conduct dive operations

2.1 SSBA is selected, inspected for serviceability, fitted and tested (both out of water and in-water).

2.2 Dives are conducted using SSBA and dive contingencies are demonstrated.

2.3 SSBA is de-serviced and defects are reported in accordance with organisational procedures.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

conduct buddy breathing

conduct ditching drills

conduct lost buddy drills

conduct unconscious companion diver drills

fit and check SSBA

identify distress and illness in others at depth

inspect SSBA for serviceability and functionality

monitor SSBA equipment and gauges

recover and clear mask and mouthpiece

refurbish SSBA post-dive

switch from SSBA primary to the reserve air system

Required Knowledge

dive physics

dive physiology and medicine

general occupational/diving safety awareness

hazards to the umbilical

marine animal threats

marine hazards

oceanography

relevant references and Australian Standards

safe operating ranges for air-supplies

SSBA dive equipment characteristics and limitations

surface supply panel characteristics and limitations

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

arrange for others to check equipment maintain equipment during the dive

conduct inwater checks

implement contingency and emergency drills including:

buddy breathing

ditching drills

unconscious companion diver drills

handle nonfunctional surface control panel items

handle nonfunctional equipment items

operate and maintain the surface control panel during the dive

prepare equipment for the dive

prepare the surface control panel for dive

recover and clear mask and mouthpiece

refurbish the surface control panel postdive

refurbish equipment postdive

safely enter and exit the water appropriate to the launch platform, equipment and conditions

switch from primary to the reserve air system

Consistency in performance

Competency will be demonstrated over a minimum of 25 (ADAS Pt 2) dives and through the operation of the surface supply panel on four separate occasions that includes the following requirements:

a range of surface and subsurface hazards

current (0–2 knots)

day and night

oceans, seas, lakes and rivers

subsurface conditions:

temperature (0 degrees +)

visibility (0 metre +)

Table 1 (below) outlines the minimum dives required by this Unit of Competency. At the time of printing, this contributed towards the achievement of an ADAS Pt 2 licence, however divers seeking ADAS licensing need to confirm details with ADAS.

Table 1

The tables below are not relevant to this Unit of Competency but at the time of printing, contributed towards the achievement of an ADAS Pt 3 licence (SSBA diving to 50 metres). Divers seeking Pt 3 licensing need to confirm details with ADAS.

Inwater decompression drills in the above table are to be conducted as follows:

1 dive in the 33 to 42 metre depth range, remaining at the selected depth from the table below for at least the time in column 2 and conducting in water decompression for a simulated bottom time of at least that in column 3.

1 dive in the 42 to 50 metre depth range, remaining at the selected depth from the table below for at least the time in column 2 and conducting in water decompression for a simulated bottom time of at least that in column 3.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency will be assessed in the ocean for all practical assessments, supported by questioning on shore or aboard vessels.

When practicable, assessment should relate to the diver’s vocational focus.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to complete range of SSBA diving, safety and accessory equipment.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Open water environment may include:

day or night

oceans, seas, lakes and rivers

subsurface conditions:

current (0–2 knots)

visibility (0 metre +)

temperature (0 degrees +)

surface and subsurface hazards such as:

anchor drop zones

cathodic protection devices

electrical cabling

inlets and sonar/radio frequency hazards

marine animals

piers and jetties

pipelines

pollutants

propellers/thrusters

trapping hazards:

beams

culverts

gates

grottoes and caves

intakes and outfalls

nets

safety, anchor and communications lines

sewers

submerged ships, vehicles and structures

sluices

vessel rocking and associated movement

Associated equipment includes:

gauges

main and reserve air supplies

umbilicals

Operator level maintenance includes:

basic deservice

communications checks

depth monitoring

line pressure settings

primary and secondary air supplies

SSBA includes:

bailout cylinder and assembly

facemask ensemble, either:

full mask

mouthpiece/halfmask

umbilical

Dive contingencies include:

air supply stoppage

buddy breathing

companion diver

flooded mask/helmet

fouled surface supply

umbilical blockage/choking

umbilical rupture