The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit/s

PUADEFDV001B Dive using self contained underwater breathing apparatus in open water to 30 metres

SROSCB008A Inspect and fill SCUBA cylinders

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Operate an N2O2compressor/hand-booster pump

1.1 Compressor and associated equipment are inspected for serviceability

1.2 Protective equipment is fitted

1.3 Leads and hoses are connected to the compressor

1.4 Gas cylinders are charged to maximum working pressure and details are recorded in relevant logs

1.5 Operator level maintenance is performed on the compressor

1.6 Compressor is de-serviced after use

2. Conduct dive operations

2.1 CCBA (N2O2) is selected, inspected for serviceability, and fitted and tested (both out of water and in-water)

2.2 Dives are conducted using CCBA (N2O2) and dive contingencies are demonstrated

2.3 CCBA (N2O2) is de-serviced and defects are reported in accordance with organisational procedures

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

conduct buddy breathing

conduct ditching drills

conduct lost buddy drills

conduct unconscious companion diver drills

fit and check CCBA (N2O2)

identify distress and illness in others at depth

inspect and prepare CCBA (N2O2)

monitor CCBA (N2O2) equipment and gauges

recover and clear mask and mouthpiece

refurbish CCBA (N2O2) post-dive

Required Knowledge

CCBA (N2O2) dive equipment characteristics and limitations

CCBA (N2O2) characteristics and limitations

dive physics

dive physiology and medicine

general occupational/diving safety awareness

hazards of nitrox

marine animal threats

marine hazards

oceanography

relevant references and Australian Standards

safe operating ranges for air-supplies

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

arrange for others to check equipment

conduct inwater checks

handle nonfunctional equipment items

implement contingency and emergency drills such as:

buddy breathing

ditching drills

unconscious companion diver drills

maintain equipment during the dive

prepare equipment for the dive including charging of cylinders

recover and clear mask and mouthpiece

refurbish equipment postdive

safely enter and exit the water appropriate to the launch platform, equipment and conditions

switch from primary to the reserve air system.

Consistency in performance

Competency will be demonstrated over a minimum of 15 dives with the diver diving to a depth not greater than 40 m using CCBA (N2O2) in open water that includes the following requirements:

day and night

oceans

seas, lakes and rivers

subsurface conditions:

a range of surface and subsurface hazards

current (0–2 knots)

temperature (0 degrees +)

visibility (0 metre +).

Table 1 (below) outlines the minimum dives required by this Unit of Competency.

Table 1

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency will be assessed in the ocean over a range of oceanic, diurnal and nocturnal environments, supported by questioning on shore or aboard vessels.

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

Specific resources for assessment

Access to a complete range of CCBA (N2O2) diving, safety and accessory equipment.

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Open water environment may include

Day or night

Oceans, seas, lakes and rivers

Sub-surface conditions:

current (0-2 knots)

visibility (0 metre +)

temperature (0 degrees +)

surface and sub-surface hazards such as:

anchor drop zones cathodic protection devices

electrical cabling

inlets and sonar/radio frequency hazards

marine animals piers and jetties

pipelines

propellers/thrusters

pollutants

trapping hazards such as:

beams

culverts

gates

grottoes and caves

intakes and out-falls

nets

safety, anchor and communications lines

sewers

sluices

submerged ships

vehicles and structures

vessel rocking and associated movement

CCBA (N2O2) includes

N2O2 cylinder

Counter-lung

Emergency cylinder

Facemask/mouthpiece

Scrubber material

Associated equipment includes

Hoses

Pumps

Protective equipment may include

Boots

Gloves

Goggles

Operator level maintenance may include

Checking existing pressure in cylinders with pressure gauge

Conducting charging in (N2O2) clean environment

Following correct charging procedure and charging rate

Operating high pressure charging panels

Dive contingencies may include

Buddy breathing

Companion diver

Flooded mask

Fouled supply

Hose blockage/choking

Hose rupture

Partial pressure anomalies

Set to 40 bar

Trouble drill

This unit contains employability skills.