ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCECRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Select site and prepare for night dives.

1.1. Select suitable night dive site according to previous daytime diving experience of self or other party members.

1.2. Determine optimum conditions for night dive site and select appropriate time.

1.3. Confirm activity safety and emergency response procedures to ensure compliance during activities.

1.4. Confirm protocols for communications between divers, buddy and crew.

2. Select and prepare night diving equipment.

2.1. Select exposure suit and accessories suitable for night dive conditions, and check for safe working condition.

2.2. Select personal diver lights according to need, complete safety and serviceability checks and attach back-ups to equipment.

2.3. Select and secure diver marker lights to self to assist identification above and below water.

2.4. Select and secure marker lights to boats, buoys and lines, as appropriate to type of dive, to assist exit from water.

2.5. Utilise other lights appropriate for conditions and ensure security.

3. Complete night dives.

3.1. Enter and exit water utilising lighting equipment and lit reference points to orientate position.

3.2. Maintain contact with buddy and use lit reference lines, as available, for descents and ascents to orientate position.

3.3. Utilise personal diver lights to illuminate path of travel, and highlight points of interest.

3.4. Maintain communication and close visual contact with buddy using lights.

3.5. Ensure use of lights does not adversely affect buddy, other divers, support crew or marine animals.

3.6. Use lighting equipment to safely approach and negotiate obstacles and hazards throughout all diving activities.

3.7. Use compass navigation techniques to avoid disorientation.

3.8. Utilise lights to identify underwater features to fix position and maintain direction and course.

4. Respond to problems.

4.1. Change to back up light in cases of primary light failure or flooding, and resurface.

4.2. Orientate body position through use of air bubble travel when reference points are lost.

4.3. Surface if necessary to verify location and reset direction of travel utilising reference lights.

Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement.

SKILLS

DESCRIPTION

Reading skills to:

interpret detailed and familiar organisational safety and emergency response procedures.

Oral communication skills to:

use clear and unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communications to make intent known.

Teamwork skills to:

work in harmony with support crew, buddy diver and other divers to safely complete night dives.

Planning and organising skills to:

manage own timing to complete activities within planned timeframes.