SFIDIVE310A
Perform diving operations using SSBA

This unit of competency involves pre-dive preparations for occupational diving operations, undertaking occupational diving to a maximum depth of 30 metres using surface-supplied breathing apparatus (SSBA) and completing occupational post-dive activities in the seafood industry, including public aquaria and other live holding facilities.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Therefore it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.

Application

Completion of this and other diving units may lead to further accreditation in occupational diving by industry and/or regulatory authorities. Check with the relevant industry or regulatory body for specific requirements.

All enterprise or workplace procedures and activities are carried out according to relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements, including occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines, maritime and occupational diver codes of practice and procedures and ecologically sustainable development (ESD) principles.

Equipment operation, maintenance, repairs and calibrations are undertaken in a safe manner that conforms to manufacturer instructions. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected, checked, used and maintained.



Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for diving operations using SSBA

1.1. Equipment is checked and prepared for a SSBA diving operation and defective equipment is marked and removed from service by the person in charge of the diving operation

1.2. PPE and diving equipment appropriate to the type and duration of the dive are donned in the correct sequence

1.3. Before the dive, all surface-supply equipment is connected and checked for correct function line-up and readiness

1.4. Before the dive, the reserve air-supply equipment is connected and checked for correct function and readiness

1.5. A dive plan is prepared, all equipment to be used is checked, necessary tools selected, a risk assessment conducted and the dive recorded by the person in charge of the diving operation

2. Perform underwater diving operations using SSBA

2.1. Open-water diving operations to a maximum depth of 30 metres are undertaken using SSBA according to accepted industry occupational diving guidelines

2.2. Correct decompression procedures are followed

2.3. Diver's tender duties are undertaken in an SSBA diving operation according to accepted industry occupational diving guidelines

2.4. Effective communication is established and maintained

2.5. SSBA is operated whilst divers are in the water

3. Maintain effective work relationships within a dive team

3.1. Effective work relationships are established and maintained within the dive team

3.2. Effective teamwork is carried out and maintained

3.3. Routine instructions are followed

4. Complete activities after SSBA dive

4.1. On completion of the SSBA diving operation, PPE and diving equipment are removed

4.2. Post-dive equipment checks are carried out

4.3. Equipment is decontaminated, cleaned and stored

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include:

carrying out post-dive equipment checks

checking and preparing equipment for an SSBA diving operation

decontaminating, cleaning and storing all equipment

dressing correctly for the type and duration of the diving operation prior to entering the water

diving in open water to a maximum depth of 30 metres using SSBA and:

appropriate operational techniques for the prevailing conditions

correct breathing techniques for the duration of the dive

correct techniques and rates for descent and ascent

entering and exiting the water under various situations

establishing and maintaining effective communication using:

correct voice procedures and the phonetic alphabet

hand and line signals

voice communication systems

operating SSBA at pre-dive stage and checking all related equipment

operating SSBA with divers in the water

preparing a dive plan, checklist and risk assessment

providing tender duties to another diver by:

assisting diver safely into and out of the water

conforming to operational procedures in dealing with diver's umbilical

monitoring diver's equipment and condition

undressing correctly on completion of an SSBA diving operation

using correct decompression procedures

literacy skills to:

complete 'dive accident medical information' forms

follow an emergency action plan

keep records

read dive tables

read diver's first aid literature

read regulations and industry guidelines

numeracy skills to:

make calculations involving pressure, volume and temperature relationships

use decompression information

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

common equipment faults and consequences of incorrect use

correct dressing and undressing sequence for SSBA

decompression principles, tables and procedures

diving physiology principles and appropriate medicine for SSBA diving operations

function and operating method of each item used in an SSBA diving operation

function and regulation of main and reserve air supplies

legal and regulatory procedures and requirements

methods to enter and exit the water

minimum equipment required for an SSBA diving operation

possible hazards associated with an SSBA diving operation and precautions to reduce risk

pressure values for different depths and awareness of pneumofathometer

principles of underwater communication systems

testing, connection and maintenance procedures for SSBA

various SSBA configurations and their key features

Evidence Required

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 evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

carry out post-dive equipment checks

complete pre-dive preparations for occupational diving operations

dress correctly for diving operations and undress correctly at completion of a dive

operate SSBA at pre-dive stage and while in the water

perform tender duties for a diver

undertake a dive in open water to a maximum depth of 30 metres using SSBA

use decompression principles, tables and procedures

use, maintain and store equipment, including:

breathing apparatus - demand type (band mask and helmet) and free-flow type

buoyancy compensator

depth-measuring instruments

dive computer

diver's clothing

diving watch

gauges

main and reserve air supplies

safety harness

shot-line

surface-supply panel

umbilicals

weights, fins and masks

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

anatomy, diving physics and physiology principles

diving equipment operating procedures

diving-related medical conditions and their treatments

hazards associated with SSBA diving operations

pre-dive and post-dive procedures

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

Resources may include:

suitable diving environment

diving equipment for SSBA diving operations as listed in the range of variables

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

observation of practical demonstration

written or oral short-answer testing

practical exercises

project work

Guidance information for assessment

This unit may be assessed holistically with other diving units.


Range Statement

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.

Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:

business or workplace operations, policies and practices

ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits and licences

health and welfare of aquatic animals

Indigenous land rights and cultural activities

maritime and occupational diving operations, safety at sea and pollution control

OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control

OHS guidelines may include:

appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits

codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector

enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards

hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures

induction or training of staff and contractors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner

OHS training register

safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques

safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace

systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts

the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE

ESD principles may include:

improving energy efficiency

increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resource

managing environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control

protecting native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas, adhering to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Ramsar Convention, World Heritage and other international treaties for which Australia is a signatory

reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

reducing energy use

reducing use of non-renewable resources

PPE may include:

buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)

personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)

sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)

exposure suits:

dry

warmed

wet

Equipment may include:

breathing apparatus:

demand type (e.g. band mask and helmet)

free-flow type

buoyancy compensator

communication systems:

power supply

tape recorders and tapes

tools

topside and diver

catch bags

depth-measuring instruments

dive computer

diver's suits or clothing, wet, dry or warmed

diving watch

gauges

main and reserve air supplies

safety and emergency:

bail out bottle

first aid

oxygen

spare air

safety harness

self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA)

shot-line

SSBA

surface-supply compressor unit

surface-supply panel

umbilicals

weights, fins and masks

Operation may include:

cleaning and maintaining display tanks

collecting aquatic animals:

abalone

beche-de-mer

broodstock or seedstock

crayfish, lobsters and crabs

ornamental fish, live, rock, corals and other invertebrate

other molluscs

pearls

sea urchins and sponges

seaweed or aquatic plants

collecting dead stock

collecting environmental water samples

eradicating or releasing predators

from a beach

from a jetty

from a vessel

installing, servicing and maintaining ponds, farm environment, cages and associated equipment

retrieving lost tools and equipment

tending aquaculture animals

Diving operation may include:

single person dive

team dive

Tools may include:

cleaning tools

cold chisels

files

hacksaws

hammers

harvest tools

imaging equipment and water quality testing

knives

netting needles and twine

open and ring spanners

screwdrivers

shackle spanners

shifting spanners

Diving guidelines may include:

Australian Dive Accreditation System (ADAS)

Australian occupational dive standards

codes of practice

OHS codes of practice and regulations

other regulations relevant to the type of diving operation and area of activity

recreational dive industry standards

Decompression procedures may include:

altitude restrictions

ascent rate

decompression restrictions

emergency

flight time exclusion

repetitive group

safety stops

surface interval

Communication may include:

hand signals

lifeline signals

slate

voice

Work relationships may include:

other divers

surface support team

vessel crew


Sectors

Diving operations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor