Required skills

planning and organising skills to develop a drift dive plan with buddy and dive team

problemsolving skills to

identify direction and strength of tidal streams and currents

determine factors influencing site selection

demonstrate positive negative and neutral buoyancy during drift diving

communication skills to

signal buddy and dive team throughout drift dive

use surface signalling equipment to maintain contact with boat skipper

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to drift dive 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 drift diving activities

selection of drift dive equipment and its role in signalling and communicating with others

water entry and exit techniques from dive boats

hazards commonly associated with drift diving in open water to a depth of metres

direction and strength of tidal stream and currents and their impact on drift diving

emergency first aid and rescue procedures appropriate to the boat and location to ensure risk minimisation to self and group

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

applies relevant process to plan drift dive with buddy and dive team and selects appropriate equipment according to the conditions

communicates with and monitors buddys progress throughout the drift dive and uses surface signalling procedures to communicate with dive team and boat crew

negotiates hazards and undertakes drift diving ascents according to industry technical and safety criteria

evaluates and reflects on own drift diving performance to identify strengths weaknesses and areas that need improvement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure participation in multiple drift dives to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

resources and information to plan and select appropriate drift dive equipment

an open water dive site suitable for drift diving to a maximum depth of metres

a suitable buddy to participate in drift diving

a suitable diving boat

SCUBA diving and drift diving 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 safe participation in drift diving activities including ascents and use of drift diving equipment

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of potential drift diving hazards and direction and strength of tidal streams and currents

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

SISOSCBA Complete dives off boats

SISOSCB309A Complete dives off boats.

Guidance information for assessment

Factors affecting selection of drift diving site may include:

Industry technical and safety criteria may include:

Relevant legislation may include:

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

Hazards may include:

Currents may include:

Drift dive plan may include:

Ascent decisions may include:

Drift dive equipment may include:

Drift dives may include:

Drift diving ascents may include:

Relevant aspects may include: