This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to support self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) diving operations from the surface by acting as a ‘lazy shot/bailout operator’ and/or diver’s attendant in an open water environment.

It includes preparing bailout cylinder, rigging ‘lazy shot’ and attending to SCUBA (air) diver/s from the surface.

The lazy shot/bailout operator’s purpose is to mark the required decompression depth (through the use of the lazy shot) for ascending divers to service their decompression requirements. As part of the lazy shot rig, additional supplies of air (bailout cylinders) are provided in the event that divers’ personal supplies expire prior to surfacing. This can occur when multiple and/or lengthy decompression periods must be served.

The diver’s attendant covers all aspects of assistance given to a diver in preparation for the dive, the conduct of the dive (such as managing and monitoring safety/communications lines) and the post dive refurbishment of equipment.

This unit was developed for Defence divers but may be applicable to anyone in this field.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Persons undertaking this unit work under supervision and perform specific tasks in a range of contexts that could be unpredictable.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare bail-out cylinder and rig lazy shot

1.1

Inspect and prepare lazy shot, cordage and bail-out cylinder

1.2

Deploy and set lazy shot, cordage and bail-out cylinder at required depth for decompression stop, in accordance with dive plan

1.3

Ensure adjustment for subsequent decompression stops in accordance with dive plan

1.4

Re-stow lazy shot, cordage and bail-out cylinder

2

Attend to a SCUBA (air) diver from the surface

2.1

Assist diver in fitting and inspecting dive equipment prior to undertaking dive

2.2

Assist diver’s entry into, and exit from, the water

2.3

Ensure diver’s equipment is confirmed for fit and absence of leaks on entering the water

2.4

Manage diver’s safety line throughout the dive

2.5

Interpret and respond to all line signals between diver and supervisor

2.6

Report diver’s condition, position and progress to supervisor as required

2.7

Assist diver from the surface during a poor visibility search

2.8

Assist diver in the removal and stowage of equipment

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

applying relevant industry standards, and organisational policies and procedures

assembling equipment

assisting a searching diver in poor visibility (less than 2 metres) in a parallel search

diving using selfcontained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) in open water to 30 metres

measuring distance

maintaining attention to diver throughout dives

reading gauges

relaying at least two messages from diver to supervisor

rigging and setting lazy shot and bailout at appropriate depth/s

transmitting at least two messages from supervisor to diver.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

dive equipment including:

bailout cylinder

lazy shot

SCUBA and associated equipment

dive physics

dive physiology and medicine including:

heat and cold illnesses

compression illnesses

decompression illnesses

diving descent and ascent techniques

general diving safety awareness including:

diving in harbours

diving in tidal waters, currents and tides

diving on and/or near a ship’s bottom

lost/separated

entrapment/foul lines

marine animal threats

pollution/weeds

working in confined spaces

general boat awareness and safety

line signals

marine animal threats

marine hazards

oceanography

relevant industry standards, and organisational policies and procedures including:

dive plan and/or instructions

emergency response.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, SCUBA equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

relevant documentation including organisational procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

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

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Not applicable.

Work Diving