Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to perform underwater dive work in aquaculture environments, including entering and leaving the water safely, undertaking maintenance on culture, holding or other structures and vessels, using basic hand tools and auxiliary devices, restraining and lifting loads, and conducting underwater searches.
This unit applies to individuals who work as occupational divers in the aquaculture sector of the seafood industry.
Occupational licensing, legislative and certification requirements apply to this unit but vary according to state/territory requirements. Occupational diving is regulated independently by each state and territory work health and safety authority. Users are advised to check with the relevant authority to confirm current requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Enter and leave the water | 1.1 Consult crew and consider prevailing weather and water conditions when assessing the safety of diving operations, and make a judgement on whether to continue the dive 1.2 Ensure that procedures during the dive, and when entering or leaving the water from the dive platform meet guidelines and are according to normal dive practices 1.3 Use signals to the dive platform before descent and following ascent according to normal dive practices |
2. Maintain structures, vessels and equipment | 2.1 Inspect and assess the condition of culture or holding structures and report any required action to the supervisor 2.2 Inspect and assess the condition of associated vessels, structures, plant and equipment and report any required action to the supervisor 2.3 Undertake appropriate maintenance according to industry or licensing body instructions and health and safety procedures |
3. Assist in lifting and handling | 3.1 Recognise the limitations and suitability of winches with hydraulic and air motors for use on the surface and underwater when undertaking winching operations 3.2 Use correct signs and signals during winch operations to communicate effectively with crew 3.3 Select and rig lifting equipment and ropes of the correct type and safe working load using the correct mechanical advantage for the load being lifted 3.4 Use and secure lifting bags to raise loads 3.5 Restrain the load so that ascent is controlled 3.6 Inspect and maintain slings, ropes and lifting bags and carry out pre- and post-dive checks on lifting devices |
4. Use basic hand tools and auxiliary devices underwater | 4.1 Use a range of hand tools to complete simple tasks underwater 4.2 Use auxiliary devices in underwater operations safely 4.3 Inspect tools and devices for defects, maintain and store after use or set aside for repair |
5. Conduct underwater searches | 5.1 Use a range of underwater search and survey techniques to locate targeted items 5.2 Maintain signals while conducting underwater search |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Numeracy | Interprets and follows dive tables Reads diving instruments Performs calculations and measurements for diving operations and underwater search and survey techniques |
Reading | Interprets required information from diving-related instructions, procedures, regulatory requirements and guidelines |
Navigate the world of work | Takes responsibility for decisions about when and how to complete tasks, and coordinates with others |
Interact with others | Uses appropriate terminology and signals specific to diving, lifting and handling operations |
Get the work done | Uses diver communication systems |
Sectors
Diving (DIV)