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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan a SCUBA diving session.
  2. Select and organise equipment and resources.
  3. Brief participants.
  4. Instruct a SCUBA diving session.
  5. Complete post session responsibilities.

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

consult with participants to plan an appropriate SCUBA diving session

convey information about the safety aspects of the session

interact with participants to create a safe and positive environment

problemsolving skills to

plan SCUBA diving sessions according to participants needs and characteristics

address participant difficulties in developing techniques

anticipate and respond to nonroutine situations

planning and organising skills to

source allocate and coordinate resources equipment and a suitable SCUBA diving site

monitor and evaluate progress

organise participants into manageable groups or buddy pairs for SCUBA diving

language and literacy skills to

produce SCUBA diving and instructional plans for the session

complete post session participant and self evaluations

personal SCUBA diving skills to a high level of technical correctness to demonstrate and explain techniques to participants

first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response and or rescue in emergencies whilst instructing SCUBA diving

Required knowledge

legislation organisational policies and procedures and industry technical and safety criteria to enable safe conduct of SCUBA diving session

site specific information to assist in the planning process and enable management of potential dive hazards and any special restrictions applying to the area

equipment types characteristics and technology used for SCUBA diving the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment and factors affecting appropriate selection

instruction techniques and theories applicable to a range of ages and learning abilities to enable effective instruction of participants with different needs characteristics and ability levels

physics and physiology such as the direct and indirect effects of pressure and signs symptoms prevention and treatment of common SCUBA diving risks such as decompression illness to enable safe performance

SCUBA diving techniques and underwater communication systems used between buddy and other divers to reduce risk

nodecompression dive tables and limits to determine air requirements

hazards and risks commonly associated with open water SCUBA diving

navigation techniques to avoid getting lost under water

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

minimal impact interactions and techniques to minimise negative impact on aquatic animal and plant life

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 and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential

plans and delivers information explanations and demonstrations for SCUBA diving sessions to ensure activities are conducted safely according to participants needs and characteristics

observes and monitors the progress of participants and provides constructive feedback and intervention to improve SCUBA diving technique and performance

uses and modifies instructional techniques and or activities to cater for a range of individual learning styles

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure instruction of SCUBA diving activities that reflect the needs and characteristics of a range of participants to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance

Assessment must also ensure access to

an open water SCUBA diving site and controlled location for the conduct of instructional dive sessions

groups of participants with different needs and characteristics to take part in SCUBA diving sessions

a suitable diving boat if required

SCUBA diving navigation communication safety rescue first aid and teaching equipment

resources and information regarding participants and location to plan instruct and document SCUBA diving sessions for a variety of participants

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 planning processes such as consulting with participants to determine their needs and characteristics

oral or written questioning to assess application of legislation industry technical and safety criteria and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe conduct of all SCUBA diving activities

observation of safe SCUBA diving instruction monitoring and adjustment according to participants needs and characteristics

portfolio of SCUBA diving session plans

thirdparty reports from a supervisor detailing performance

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


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.

Characteristics may include:

age

cultural and situational factors

previous experience and knowledge

physical development.

Session's aims and objectives may include:

developing SCUBA diving instruction skills

education

development

therapy

fitness targets

recreation.

Instructional plan may include:

SCUBA diving activities and drills

duration of activities and drills.

SCUBA diving plan may include:

aims and objectives

date, time and duration

location, equipment and resources

safety requirements.

Industry technical and safety criteria may include:

British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC)

Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)

SCUBA Schools International (SSI).

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permission for access

environmental regulations

marine regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

assessment procedures

time and budget constraints

communication protocols

confidentiality of participant information

code of ethics

minimal impact codes.

Hazards may include:

temperature extremes

group management hazards

SCUBA hazards.

Risks may include:

hypothermia

heat exhaustion

injuries

lost party of party member

equipment failure

barotrauma

nitrogen narcosis

contaminated SCUBA air

pressure or volume or density relationships

buoyancy

respiration

air consumption

oxygen toxicity

carbon monoxide toxicity

stings or bites

Decompression Illness (DCI).

Relevant sources may include:

Bureau of Meteorology

media

land managers or agencies

coastal patrol or coastguards

volunteer marine rescue

local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information may include:

satellite images

daily and weekly forecasts

maximum and minimum temperatures

weather warnings

event warnings

river levels

synoptic charts

high and low tide predictions.

Contingency plans may include:

change in weather and water conditions

equipment failure.

Equipment may include:

SCUBA diving equipment

safety and rescue equipment

navigation equipment

communication equipment.

Resources may include:

clothing

food and water

teaching aids.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Safety procedures may include:

suitable buddy

communication signs and signals

in-water supervision

safety and rescue equipment.

Instructional techniques may include:

simple to complex

part to whole

chronological

known to unknown

D.E.D.I.C.T.

E.D.I.C.T.

I.D.E.A.

orientate, enhance, synthesise

Required knowledge may include:

risk and hazard prevention and management

safety procedures

SCUBA diving techniques

communication and buddy systems

responsible and safe behaviour.

SCUBA diving techniques may include:

entries to and exits from the water

removal and replacement of equipment on surface

mask and regulator removal, recovery and replacement in water

use of buddy and communication system

buoyancy control

underwater navigation

controlled breathing

descending and ascending

equalising pressure

self and buddy rescues

bearings or reciprocal bearings

dive calculations

air supply monitoring.

Safety and rescue procedures may include:

emergency response procedures

group management in emergency situations

symptoms, treatment and prevention of common SCUBA diving risks.

Relevant aspects may include:

objectives

planning process

activity site

weather

equipment selection

clothing selection

food selection

instructional content

instructional technique

assessment technique

group feedback

directing techniques

rescue techniques employed.