Ocean Diver Pool Lesson OS1 - Being Underwater

OD Pool Lesson OS1 - Being Underwater

Basic equipment (fins, mask, snorkel), scuba, finning, buoyancy, fin pivots, care of equipment.

1. Briefing
2. Entry into shallow water without equipment by ladder or wading
3. Fit and practice with mask, fins and snorkel - standing depth
   • Mask demisting/fitting
   • Method of securing snorkel
   • Breathing through snorkel, face submerged, static
   • Flood snorkel/clear by blowing (static, standing)
   • Fit fins, finning action on back and front
   • Flood/clear snorkel while finning, face submerged
   • Remove fins, mask & snorkel.
4. Kit up with the SCUBA unit and carry out buddy checks
5. Breathing from a demand valve, standing depth
6. Buoyancy control - standing depth Inflate and deflate the BC on the surface, using the direct feed
7. Swimming on the surface on the back, BC inflated - standing depth
   • Finning action
   • Attitude in the water
8. Buoyancy check and swimming underwater - standing depth
   • Buoyancy check - fin pivot
   • Swim underwater
9. Swimming underwater - to/in/from deeper water
   • Buoyancy adjustment with changing depth
   • Finning action and attitude control
10. Remove equipment
11. Exit from shallow water by ladder or wading
12. Debriefing
13. Equipment care

Ocean Diver Pool Lesson OS2 - Basic Skills

OD Pool Lesson OS2 - Basic Skills

Kitting up, buddy checks, swimming on the surface, clearing regulators and mask, using alternate air sources, ascending, descending.

1. Briefing
2. Prepare SCUBA unit
   • Assembly and functional check
3. Kit up and buddy check
4. Entry into shallow water by ladder or wading
5. Buoyancy check, standing depth
6. Swimming on surface, BC inflated
   • On back, BC inflated
   • On front, breathing from DV, BC partially inflated
   • Swimming on surface changing from demand valve to snorkel
7. Breathing without a mask, nose submerged, standing depth
8. Retrieving and clearing demand valve - standing depth
   • Demand valve clear - exhale perform twice
   • Demand valve clear - purge button, perform twice
   • Retrieve demand valve and clear, perform twice
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
9. Mask clearing, standing depth
   • Initial clear
   • Progressive flood
   • Remove & replace
10. Use of alternative air source - standing depth
    • As donor and recipient
11. Swimming underwater to deeper water
12. Controlled ascent and descent using BC - deeper water
    • 'Mini' ascent/descent
    • Ascent/descent
13. Swimming underwater to shallower water
14. Exit water by wading or via steps
15. Remove SCUBA unit
16. Debriefing
17. Equipment care

Ocean Diver Pool Lesson OS3 - Developing skills

Stride entries, mask clearing, free flows, alternate air sources, buoyancy control.

1. Briefing
2. Preparing SCUBA unit
   • Assembly
   • Functional check
3. Kit up and buddy check
4. Entry into deeper water using stride entry
5. Controlled descent into deeper water
6. Swim underwater to standing depth
   • Finning action
   • Buoyancy control
7. Mask clearing - recap in standing depth
   • Partial flood
   • Full flood
   • Remove & replace
8. Breathing from a free flowing demand valve - standing depth
9. Swim to deeper water
10. Mask clearing in deeper water
    • Partial flood
    • Full flood
    • Remove & replace
    • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
11. Use of alternative air source - deeper water
    • Static, as donor and recipient
    • AS ascent, as donor and recipient
12. Buoyancy control
    • BC inflator stuck open
    • Mid water hover
    • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
13. Normal ascent from deeper water
14. Deep water exit via ladder
15. Debriefing
16. Equipment care

Ocean Diver Pool Lesson OS4 - Beyond the basics

Backward roll entries, descending into deep water, mask clearing, finning without mask, forward rolls, ascents, forward roll entries, surface dives, small boat exits.

1. Briefing
2. Prepare SCUBA unit
   • Assembly
   • Functional check
3. Kit up and buddy check
4. Entry into deep water using backward roll
5. Make a controlled descent in deep water
6. Mask clearing in deeper water
   • Remove & replace
7. Finning without mask
8. Forward rolls - deeper water
9. Ascent in buddy pairs
10. Remove SCUBA unit (and weights/belt) at surface and exit from deeper water
11. Kit up in snorkelling equipment
12. Enter deep water by forward roll
13. Surface dives in deeper water
    • Surface dive/surfacing drill, repeat several times
    • Snorkel clearing - displacement method
    • Consolidation
    • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
14. Exit as for a small boat
15. Debriefing
16. Equipment care
    • (Competence/confidence performance standard)

Ocean Diver Pool Lesson OS5 - Safety skills

Roll entries, use of alternate air source, towing, controlled buoyant lifts, ladder exits.

1. Briefing
2. Prepare SCUBA unit
   • Assembly
   • Functional check
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
3. Kit up and buddy check
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
4. Enter deep water using a forward roll
5. Use of alternative air source - deeper water
   • AS ascent, as both donor and recipient
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
6. Towing a casualty - standing depth
   • Towing hold - static
   • Tow
7. Controlled buoyant lift (CBL) - deeper water
   • 'Self' lift
   • 'Mini' CBL
   • CBL
   • 'Rescue' CBL
   • CBL and tow
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
8. Deep water exit, via ladder
9. Debriefing
10. Equipment care

Ocean Diver Lesson OO1 - The First Open Water Dive

1. Briefing
2. Fit protective clothing
   • Put on suit
   • Fit additional weight to belt/pouches
3. Prepare SCUBA unit
4. Kit up and buddy check
   • Fit weightbelt/weights, then SCUBA unit
   • Locating and operating critical items wearing gloves
5. Enter water
   • Steps or wading into standing depth water
6. Equipment fit and buoyancy check - standing depth
   • Mask fit
   • Check mask seals
   • Buoyancy check - fin pivot
7. Dive to a maximum of six metres
   • Enjoyment
   • Buoyancy control with changing depth
   • Finning action and swimming attitude
   • Impact on the underwater environment
8. Mouthpiece and mask clearing - standing depth
   • Mouthpiece retrieval and clearing
   • Partial mask clear
9. Weight and jettison check - standing depth
   • Weight check with low air contents
   • Weight belt/weight jettison
10. Exit
    • Exit water by wading or steps
11. Dekit
12. Debrief
13. Equipment care

See Instructor Manual for guidance on adapting this lesson to differing circumstances.

Ocean Diver Lesson OO2 - The Second Open Water Dive

1. Briefing
2. Prepare SCUBA unit and put on protective clothing
3. Kit up and buddy check
   • dry run of the AS exercise
   • dry run of the stuck inflator drill
4. Entry - standing depth
   • Steps or wading
5. Skills practice - 2M
   • (All competence/confidence performance standard except buoyancy control and AAS use)
   • Buoyancy control - mid water hover
   • Inversion recovery
   • Dry suit inflator stuck open
   • Mouthpiece retrieval and clear
   • Mask clear
   • Partial
   • Full flood
   • Remove & replace
   • Breathe from an Alternative Supply- static
6. Carry out exploratory dive to approximately ten metres
   • Buoyancy control with changing depth - descent
   • Finning action and swimming attitude
   • Awareness of and impact on the underwater environment
   • Pilotage demonstration
   • Buoyancy control with changing depth - ascent
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
7. Exit
   • Exit water by wading or steps
8. De-kit
9. Debrief
10. Equipment care

See Instructor Manual for guidance on adapting this lesson to differing circumstances.

Ocean Diver Lesson OO3 - The Third Open Water Dive

1. Briefing
2. Prepare SCUBA unit
3. Kit up and buddy check
   • Recap AS dry run
4. Deep water entry - Stride or backward roll
5. Vertical/near vertical descent
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • Buoyancy control with changing depth
   • Descent arrested just clear of bottom
6. Personal and rescue skills at 6m
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • Mask clearing
   • Partial
   • Full flood
   • Remove and replace
   • AS ascent from 6m as both donor and receiver
7. Exploratory dive to between 12 and 15 metres
   • Buoyancy control
   • Finning action and swimming attitude
   • Awareness of, and impact on, underwater environment
   • Dive leading demonstration
   • Buddy monitoring
   • Depth/air/time management
   • Pilotage
   • Interest
8. Vertical/near vertical ascent
   • Buoyancy control with changing depth
   • Ascent check
9. Deep water exit - as for boat or onto jetty
10. De-kit
11. Debrief
12. Equipment care

See Instructor Manual for guidance on adapting this lesson to differing circumstances.

Ocean Diver Lesson OO4 - The Fourth Open Water Dive

1. Briefing
2. Prepare SCUBA unit
3. Kit up and buddy check
   • CBL dry run
4. Deep water entry
   • As from boat or jetty
5. Descent
   • Vertical/near vertical descent, arrested just clear of bottom
6. Rescue skills from 6m
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • 'Mini' CBL
   • CBL to surface
   • Tow casualty 25m
7. Exploratory dive to between 15 and 20 metres
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • Buddy monitoring
   • Dive leading
   • Depth/time/air management
   • Pilotage
   • Interest
8. Ascent
   • Vertical/near vertical ascent, ascent check
9. Weights/weightbelt jettison - shallow water
   • Jettison weights/weightbelt from casualty
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
10. Exit
    • Appropriate to local conditions
11. De-kit
12. Debrief
13. Equipment care
    • Note: buoyancy control throughout lesson -
    • Competence/confidence performance standard

See Instructor Manual for guidance on adapting this lesson to differing circumstances.

Ocean Diver Lesson OO5 - The Fifth Open Water Dive

1. Briefing
2. Dive leading planning
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
3. Prepare SCUBA unit
4. Kit up and buddy check
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
5. Entry
   • Suitable for local conditions
6. Student dive leading practice to between 12 and 20 metres
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • Buddy monitoring
   • Depth/time/air management
   • Pilotage
7. Weight check with low air contents - 2m
   • Mid water hover
8. Weights/weightbelt jettison - standing depth
   • Jettison own weights/weightbelt
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
9. Exit
   • Suitable for local conditions
10. De-kit
11. Debrief

See Instructor Manual for guidance on adapting this lesson to differing circumstances.

Sports Diver Lesson SOR/O - Refresher / Orientation

Mask clearing, inflator stuck drills, buoyancy.

Though normally carried out as an open-water lesson, in DUSAC this lesson is usually taught as a refresher pool session for CMAS 1* equivalent crossover divers (e.g. PADI open water divers).

1. Briefing
2. Fit protective clothing
3. Prepare SCUBA unit
4. Kit up and buddy check
5. Entry into standing depth water
6. Skills practice - standing depth water
   • Buoyancy check - fin pivot
   • Mask clearing
   • Partial
   • Full flood
   • Remove and replace
7. Skills practice - 3m
   • Mask clearing
   • Partial
   • Full flood
   • Remove and replace
   • Dry suit inflator stuck open
   • Buoyancy check - mid water hover
8. Buoyancy control with changing depth - from 6m
   • Ascent and descent
9. Exploratory dive to a maximum of 15m
   • Buoyancy control and swimming attitude
   • Buddy awareness
   • Awareness of and impact on the underwater environment
10. Vertical / Near vertical ascent
11. Weight check with low air contents - 2m
    • Mid water hover
12. Jettison own weights/weightbelt - standing depth
13. Exit
14. Dekit
15. Debrief

See Instructor Manual for guidance on adapting this lesson to differing circumstances.

Sports Diver Pool Lesson SS1 - Rescue Skills

Towing, towing with RB, Air sharing ascents, controlled buoyant lifts, removing kit.

1. Briefing
2. Tow Incorporating RB
   • Tow - standing depth initially
   • Tow incorporating RB- standing depth initially
3. Kit up and buddy check
4. Tow Incorporating RB
   • Tow - standing depth initially
   • Tow incorporating RB- standing depth initially
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
5. AS Ascent Revision - deeper water
   • Donor
   • Receiver
6. CBL - Deeper Water
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • Approach casualty, CBL, secure at surface
   • Commence RB, summon help, tow incorporating RB to shallow water
7. Kit removal - Standing Depth
8. Debrief

Sports Diver Lesson SO1 - Diver Rescue

Key Requirement is EFFECTIVENESS!

Points 1-5 are a run-through, stepwise, of what the actual assessment consists of. At this stage the instructors can check and correct anything that the trainees are doing wrong. The trainees will be assessed only on the full continuous assessment (point 6).

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Notes for instructors:

• Rescuers should not administer rescue breaths (RB) while dekiting themselves or the casualty.
• Candidates are not expected to give chest compressions, administer oxygen, or have first-aid knowledge.

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Advice to candidates:

• Remember your rates for rescue breaths (RB):
  • static: 1 breath every 6 seconds and;
  • towing: 2 breaths every 15 fin-strokes.
• Ensure you have an effective pistol grip. Don't let your little or ring fingers extend over the casualty's neck.
• When giving in-water breaths, roll the casualty over to you; don't try to climb up to give them breaths as this pushes the casualty under-water and will also exhaust you.
• Fin at a constant and sustainable rate. Finning too quickly will exhaust you and you will forget everything you have learned. Exhaustion is the commonest cause of failing the test.
• Keep hold of the casualty at all times.
• Don't forget to fully inflate your own BCD upon reaching the surface. You will not be able to give breaths if your BCD is not full.

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1. Recap towing hold and RB technique, static:
   • In chest deep water rescuer establishes hold on the casualty's chin with one hand, and some suitable grip on the casualty's equipment, either under the casualty's far shoulder or under the pillar valve, with the other hand.
   • Arms are initially kept straight keeping the casualty in line behind the rescuer
   • Rescuer brings casualty closer alongside their head to administer RB. Keeping a pistol grip over the casualty's mouth, the rescuer places their elbow behind casualty's shoulder to secure neck extension and keep mouth closed.
   • Rescuer uses hand underneath casualty to roll casualty towards them.
   • Rescuer seals mouth over casualty's nose, holds for approx. 2secs. Casualty allowed to roll onto back.
   • Roll/Ventilation sequence repeated, then rescuer resumes straight arm tow position.
2. Tow and RB, mobile:
   • Repeat the sequence of 2RB every 15 fin-strokes several times while swimming into deeper water (2-3metres).
3. Jettisoning of Casualty's Weightbelt:
   • In chest deep water, the casualty lies face down on the bottom
   • Rescuer approaches, rolls casualty onto back, takes secure grip of casualty, unfastens and removes casualty's weightbelt.
   • Make sure weightbelt is clear of casualty before jettisoning.
4. Landing Casualty onto Shore from standing depth, whilst administering RB:
   • Kit removal- rescuer calls for assistance, administers in-water RB for one minute (10 rescue breaths) at a pace of one breath every 6 seconds, then dekit self. No further in-water rescue breaths are administered.
   • Rescuer removes the casualty's weightbelt, disconnects all straps and drysuit feed as quickly as possible.
   • Rescuer deflates the casualty's BC. Rescuer sinks casualty's SCUBA gear and pulls it clear.
   • Landing Casualty- still in waist deep water, rescuer removes casualty from water
     (this will be demonstrated by instructors before the test commences).
   • Resume RB at on-land rate, administering breaths through the mouth
   • When indicated by Instructor, casualty is placed in recovery position.
5. Kit up and Buddy Check including a dry run of CBL technique.
6. Rescue from 6 metres:
   • Mini CBL:

     From a kneeling position establish a hold on the casualty, introduce air into casualty's BC in short bursts until slightly positively buoyant, once casualty is raised 1m venting air in short bursts arrest ascent and initiate controlled descent.

   • Complete Rescue Sequence (should be continuous):

     CBL with casualty face down at the bottom:
     Rescuer approaches casualty, and establishes positive hold. Introduces air into casualty's STAB to initiate CBL and continues lift to the surface, venting air in bursts to maintain controlled rate of ascent.
     Rescuer secures casualty at the surface, by fully inflating casualty's STAB.
     Rescuer inflates own STAB for adequate surface buoyancy.

     Tow incorporating RB for 25m:
     Rescuer removes casualty's mask and mouthpiece, establishes grip on chin and underneath casualty, rolls/ventilates casualty for 2 cycles, signals for assistance, gives RB for 1 minute (10 breaths) at a pace of one breath every 6 seconds,tows casualty for 25m to shallow water, administering two cycles of RB every 15 fin-strokes.

     Recovery of Casualty:
     Upon reaching waist depth water, give RB for 1 minute (10 breaths at a pace of one breath every 6 seconds),
     Dekit self and then casualty, as described earlier.
     Land casualty as practiced earlier, with assistance.
     Rescuer recommences RB at on-land rate.
     Rescuer places casualty in recovery position.

Sports Diver Lesson SO2 - SMB (surface marker buoy) use

1. Briefing
2. Dry practice of SMB operation
3. Kit up and buddy check
4. Entry
5. SMB use during exploratory dive to 15 - 20m
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • Descent
   • During exploratory dive
   • Monitor overhead for potential hazards
   • Use of buoy line as buddy line
   • Vertical ascent
6. Exit
7. Debrief

Sports Diver Lesson SO3 - Simulated Decompression Dive

The aim of this assessment is to understand the planning requirments necessary for decompression diving

Equipment required:

• Shot line:
  • weights (15 - 25kg, 5kg counterweight)
  • rope (as long as dive depth + ~5m)
  • buoy (at least 50% more buoyancy than hanging weight)
• Distance reel and line with clip on end

Briefing by instructor

Dive planning

Plan dive profile using either the BSAC Nitrox or BSAC '88 decompression tables of the planning function of a decompression computer. Base the plan on a depth greater than that which will actually be achieved. (e.g. 30m)

Dive requirements:

Descent down shot line

Exploratory dive using distance line- must be maintained straight and tense and kept clear from body and equipment:

• Secure distance line to shot
• Securing line at turning points
• Time / depth / air management
• Line evenly reeled in on inbound swim
• Line detached from shot before ascent

Ascent up shot line to 6m

Simulated decompression stop for 3 minutes, stop depth must be maintained to within 1m and correctly timed.

Sports Diver Lesson SO4 - Compass navigation / delayed SMB (dSMB)

Briefing by instructor

Dive planning

Plan dive profile using either the BSAC Nitrox or BSAC '88 decompression tables of the planning function of a decompression computer. Base the plan on a depth greater than that which will actually be achieved. (e.g. 30m)

Dive requirements:

Descent down shot line

Exploratory dive using distance line- must be maintained straight and tense and kept clear from body and equipment:

• Secure distance line to shot
• Securing line at turning points
• Time / depth / air management
• Line evenly reeled in on inbound swim
• Line detached from shot before ascent

Ascent up shot line to 6m

Simulated decompression stop for 3 minutes, stop depth must be maintained to within 1m and correctly timed.

Briefing by instructor

Dry practice of compass use

• Setting a bearing
• Following a bearing
• Estimating and controlling distance
• Setting and following a reciprocal bearing

Dry practice of dSMB use

• Familiarity with equipment and inflation technique

Kit up and buddy check

• dSMB stowage and access
• Compass access

Entry into water

Compass use on surface

• Setting and following a bearing
• Estimating and controlling distance
• Setting and following a reciprocal bearing

Compass use underwater (2-6m)

• Swim to destination object and return
• 'Out and back' swims

Exploratory dive to 20m maximum

• Demonstration of general compass use
• Integration with pilotage

dSMB deployment from bottom - 10m depth

• Initial inflation to straighten buoy
• Main inflation and deployment
• Ascent reeling in line
• Practise decompression stop at 6m for 1 min

Sports Diver Lesson SO5 - Dive Leading / Basic Skills Review

Briefing by instructor

Dry practice of compass use

• Setting a bearing
• Following a bearing
• Estimating and controlling distance
• Setting and following a reciprocal bearing

Dry practice of dSMB use

• Familiarity with equipment and inflation technique

Kit up and buddy check

• dSMB stowage and access
• Compass access

Entry into water

Compass use on surface

• Setting and following a bearing
• Estimating and controlling distance
• Setting and following a reciprocal bearing

Compass use underwater (2-6m)

• Swim to destination object and return
• 'Out and back' swims

Exploratory dive to 20m maximum

• Demonstration of general compass use
• Integration with pilotage

dSMB deployment from bottom - 10m depth

• Initial inflation to straighten buoy
• Main inflation and deployment
• Ascent reeling in line
• Practise decompression stop at 6m for 1 min

Sports Diver practical lesson SP1: Assistant Dive Marshal

Lesson Objectives:

To enable Sports Divers to contribute to dive organisation and management under supervision of the dive marshal.

Achievement Targets:

• Understand the relevance and importance of the information recorded in the dive log
• Understand the requirements for safe buddy pairing
• Understand the necessity for adequate dive monitoring

Briefing:

Should occur prior to the actual day of the dive, so that the student arrives on site with a full understanding of their role. Any factors affecting buddy pairings and timings should be explained, such as:

1. Trainees requiring specific instruction with appropriate instructors
2. Inexperienced divers with experienced divers
3. Divers with particular common interests
4. Buddy pairs requiring slack water (e.g. Trainees, or those requiring to dive a particular site)
5. Ensuring instructors and experienced divers get reasonable opportunities to dive for their own interests

How and why diving will be monitored on site should also be explained Requirement for safety cover, e.g. Boat or additional shore cover remote from the main group, should be explained, as well as how communications will be maintained.

On-Site:

Student should:

1. Maintain the dive log
2. Ensure divers are ready to go at the appropriate times
3. Monitor divers anticipated surfacing times
4. Ensure adequate surface cover at all times
5. Record post-dive information, including any training carried out
6. Provide adequate handover to a temporary substitute so that they get an opportunity to dive themselves

Dive Leader Lesson DO2 - Dive Leading Demonstration

1. Briefing
   • Overall lesson brief
   • Demonstration brief
   • "Trainee's" diving experience
   • Dive profile and route
   • Breathing Gas Management
2. Kit up and buddy check
3. Entry
4. Exploratory dive - depth not to exceed 20m
   • Buddy monitoring
   • Navigation
   • Depth/time and air management
   • Dive interest
5. Exit
6. Kit removal
7. Debriefing
   • Overall lesson debrief
   • Demonstration debrief

Dive Leader Lesson DO3 - Dive Leading Practice

1. Briefing
   • Overall lesson brief
   • Student's dive brief:
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • "Trainee's" diving experience
   • Dive profile and route
   • Breathing Gas Management
2. Kit up and buddy check
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
3. Entry
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
4. Exploratory dive - depth not to exceed 20m
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • Buddy monitoring
   • Navigation
   • Depth/time and Breathing Gas Management
   • Dive interest
5. Exit
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
6. Kit removal
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
7. Debriefing
   • Student's dive debrief
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
   • Overall debrief

Dive Leader Lesson DO4 - Shot Recovery by Simple Lift

Equipment required:

• Shot weight- 10-15kg.
• Safety weight 4-5kg on 1m line, with karabiner to attach it to the shot weight.

1. Lifting Bag attachment and Partial inflation (with safety weight attached)
• lifting bag attached securely to shot weight (using karabiner)
• bag neck held open
• AS mouthpiece introduced between straps to project into opening, making sure to keep it clear from entanglement.
• Initial inflation to straighten bag, further inflation to tension straps
• Vent bag completely and repeat
2. Lifting Bag controlled Inflation (with safety weight attached)
• Inflate lifting bag until straps are tensioned
• Grasp shot weight at point at which lifting bag is attached and try to lift it
• Add further air to the bag, and repeat until shot can be easily lifted in one hand, by introducing smaller and smaller amounts of air
• Vent bag and repeat
3. Reposition shot weight
• Repeat of previous exercise, but without safety weight
• Once the shot weight is just negatively buoyant , the combination should be moved 5-10m along the bottom, and settled again at the bottom
• Deflate the bag
4. Recover shot weight
• Re-attach safety weight.
• Repeat the controlled inflation exercise until the shot weight is just lifted from the ground and is restrained by the safety weight
• Deflate the lifting bag
• Fasten the safety weight directly to the shot weight (so they act as one weight)
• Repeat controlled inflation until shot weight is just lifted off the bottom, then release the weights, allowing them to continue upwards to the surface.
• Divers swim out from directly underneath the path of the ascending weight
5. DSMB deployment mid water - approx 10m depth
• Ascent checked at about 8m, neutral buoyancy achieved
• DSMB removed and reel and DSMB held clear of diver and equipment
• Initial inflation with reel unlocked to straighten SMB, buoyancy adjusted to counteract buoyancy of DSMB
• Full inflation and deployment -diver breathes out to counteract increasing buoyancy of DSMB, DSMB released as soon as increasing buoyancy causes diver to ascend.
• Reel held unlocked until it has completely stopped rotating, line tension checked to ensure DSMB is at the surface
• Line reeled in during ascent to surface, maintaining appropriate tension to ensure SMB remains upright in the water and diver surfaces directly below buoy.

Dive Leader Lessons DO6 and DO7 - Diving and Rescue Skills Review

In DUSAC, Dive Leader open water lessons DO6 and DO7 are combined in a single assessed dive. The dive is carried out from a RIB in approximately 15m of water using a shot line as a datum.

Assessed tasks:

• Mask Clearing (complete removal) x 2
• Fin Pivot x 2
• Demand valve removal and retrieval x 2
• AS from 15m to 6m as donor. Stop at 6m, break and re-descend to 15m
• AS from 15m to 6m as receiver. Stop at 6m, break and re-descend to 15m
• CBL from 15m to 6m as rescuer, Stop at 6m, break and re-descend
• CBL from 15m to 6m as casualty, Stop at 6m and break
• Carry out 1min safety stop at 6m (simulated decompression stop)
• Ascend to surface, recommence rescue at surface
• Static RB for approximately 1 minute
• Tow while giving effective RB for 50m, land casualty to boat, recover self into boat and continue rescue.

The DL rescue assessment is followed by a scenario-type question and answer session. Scenarios / questions are to be agreed by the examiners beforehand to ensure that the tests are run as fairly as possible. They may encompass all areas that a dive leader would be expected to know. Examiners are to be briefed fully by the training officer beforehand. A Nationally Qualified Instructor (NQI) must be present at all tests although assistant instructors may administer the test itself. The verdict of the NQI is final. The students will be given full reasons for failure and areas for improvement noted. If possible, the NQI should be present at all debriefs.

Dive Leader Lesson DO1 - DSMB Deployment Mid Water

1. Briefing
2. Dry practice of DSMB use
3. Kit up and buddy check
4. Entry
5. Exploratory dive
6. Ascent with no visual reference
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
7. DSMB deployment in mid water - approximately 10m depth
   • (Competence/confidence performance Standard)
   • Initial Inflation
   • Main inflation and deployment
8. Ascent and practice decompression stop at 6m for 3 min
   • (Competence/confidence performance standard)
9. Exit
10. Debriefing

Advanced Diver Open Water Lesson AO1

This lesson reviews skills which, by their nature, may not have been exercised for some time. These skills comprise a mixture of diving and personal rescue, with the latter being extended with some additiona1surface rescue skills not previously covered. This lesson provides refresher training in these skills, and extends the depth range over which some are practiced.

At the end of this lesson the student should:

• Be competent and confident in their ability to:
  • clear their mask at a depth of 20m
  • perform an AS ascent from 20m acting as donor
  • perform an AS ascent from 20m acting as recipient
• Have confirmed correct weighting for their equipment configuration
• Be competent and confident in their ability to:
  • jettison a casualty's weights / weightbelt and their own weights / weightbelt
  • rescue a distressed diver on the surface by means of a rope throw
  • rescue a distressed diver on the surface by means of surface buoyancy.

Lesson Contents

The basic skills review is conducted at a depth of approximately 20m. Where students have not practiced these skills for some time, particularly mask clearing, or if they are at all apprehensive, it may be prudent to precede this lesson with a preliminary review in shallower water. The skills practice entails ascents from 20m to 6m. Decompression considerations dictate that these ascents be performed as early in the dive as possible, and before descending to a greater depth. Instructors must take the impact of these multiple ascents into consideration on the profile of the remainder of the dive and on any subsequent dives.

Although the surface rescue skills are appropriate to boat diving situations, for the purposes of acquiring the skills, while the availability of a boat is ideal, these elements can be performed from a suitable jetty or other structure which will adequately simulate a boat.

1. Equipment configuration

   The diving and personal rescue skills elements of this lesson should be carried out using the equipment configuration that the student would normally use for adventurous diving.

2. Briefing

   Explain the above objectives and the importance of regular practice of skills which would otherwise not be exercised until a situation occurred where dive safety depended upon their speedy and competent execution. Ensure that all aspects of a SEEDS brief are covered. Also highlight the need to consider the decompression implications of the multiple ascents, not only on the remainder of this dive, but also on any subsequent dives.

3. Kit up and buddy checks

   Prior to kitting up review the student's equipment configuration for its appropriateness to adventurous diving. Ensure that the equipment is balanced, that any ancillary equipment or loops of hose are either stowed or adequately restrained to prevent their being a snag hazard. Once fully kitted and normal buddy checks have been completed, include a dry run of the actions for accessing the AS and the means of maintaining a positive contact during the ascent.

4. Entry

   Entry as appropriate for local conditions.

5. Mask clearing at 20m

   Depending upon the student's recent experience of mask clearing, a partial and a full flood as precursors to removing and replacing the mask may not be necessary. Even where the student has had recent practice, but the water temperature is low, the partial and full floods are advisable to acclimatize the face to the water temperature.

   Partial mask clear (optional)
   Lift lower skirt of mask from face to allow a small amount of water to enter, hold top edge of mask against forehead, breathe out steadily (but not forcibly) through nose, tilt head backwards.

   Full flood (optional)
   As for partial flood but lifting mask skirt off face to completely flood the mask.

   Remove & replace
   Flood mask completely as above remove mask from head, identify nose pocket to check mask is correct way up, place strap out of way over front of mask, place mask on face, run finger round edge of hood to check clear of mask skirt, replace strap over head, hold top of mask against forehead, breathe out steadily through nose, tilt head backwards.

   At the end of this exercise, the student should be competent and confident in their ability to remove, replace and clear their mask.

6. AAS ascents from 20m

   This should start from the possible real life situation of both divers swimming along side by side at 20m, when one diver's (recipient's) air supply fails. Recipient makes physical contact with donor to attract attention, signals 'out-of-air', takes donor's AS from stowage and commences to breathe from it. Recipient and donor take secure hold of each other. Once ready, donor and recipient exchange 'up' signals, ascend at a normal rate to 6m, each controlling their buoyancy as required. At 6m ascent is discontinued, recipient reverts to own demand valve and both descend back to 20m. Donor returns AAS to stowage.

   Perform exercise with student acting as donor and then repeat with student acting as recipient. At the end of the second AS ascent, a normal ascent should then be continued to the surface, where the student should fully inflate their buoyancy aid by mouth or by emergency cylinder (if fitted) as they would have to do in an 'out-of-air' situation. At the end of this exercise, the student should be competent and confident in their ability to perform an AS ascent from 20m acting as both donor and recipient.

7. Weight check with low air contents at 2m depth

   As a diver's experience expands, their equipment configuration is adapted accordingly. This may impact the diver's weight requirements. Incorrect weighting is potentially dangerous, and consequently a confirmatory check should be carried out to ensure that students are equipped with the correct amount of weight for their equipment configuration. In approximately 2m of water, with all the air vented from the dry suit (if worn) and BC, and with low cylinder air contents (reserve value) students should be very slightly negatively buoyant due to the weight of the reserve air remaining. Should the student be positively buoyant, or require more than only a very small inflation of the dry suit/BC to achieve neutral buoyancy, the students weight (not suit or BC inflation) should be adjusted appropriately.

8. Weight / weightbelt jettison - standing depth

   This exercise re-emphasizes and gives refresher practice in these important rescue skills. Because this exercise will result in a major increase in positive buoyancy, it MUST not be carried out in deeper than chest deep water.

   Jettison casualty's weights / weightbelt
   Casualty lies face down on bottom, rescuer approaches, rolls casualty onto back, takes secure grip of casualty, unfastens weightbelt/weights restraint/ buckle and pulls weightbelt / weights clear of casualty before jettisoning, maintaining a positive hold on the casualty throughout.

   Jettison own weightbelt
   Kneeling on the bottom, operate weightbelt buckle/weight releases, pull weightbelt / weights clear of body and release.

   At the end of this exercise, the student should be competent and confident in their ability to jettison either a casualty's weightbelt / weights, or their own, should such an action be required in an emergency.

9. Exit

   Exit as appropriate to local conditions.

10. Surface rescue skills

    These skills are appropriate to circumstances where a diver on the surface may require assistance, but in a location where a boat cannot approach closer than 10m, for instance where the diver is close to rocks. In the first case the diver is able to respond to instructions, but in the second the diver is more distressed and less able to help them self.

    Rope throw
    Casualty 10m from boat. Rescuer shouts to casualty, gives reassurance while coiling rope ready to throw; retained end of rope secured; coil split into two halves, one half held securely in throwing hand, other half held loosely in other hand so that the coils can easily run off the fingers. Rescuer tells casualty what to do with rope and then swings throwing hand clear of body in underhand motion to throw coils of rope towards casualty, aiming rope to land across, or within reach of, casualty. Coils from other half of rope allowed to run freely off hand. Once casualty has grasped rope, rescuer steadily pulls them back to the 'boat'.

    Surface buoyancy
    Distressed diver again 10m from boat. Rescuer shouts to casualty, gives reassurance while quickly putting on mask, fins and snorkel. Rescuer enters water by appropriate method, swims to casualty, tries to calm casualty on approach, encourages them to inflate their BC. Casualty remains distressed and ignores instructions. Rescuer avoids contact with casualty, swims around or under them to approach them from behind. Takes secure hold of casualty's equipment (so that the casualty cannot turn and grab the rescuer) and inflates casualty's' BC. Casualty calms down when supported by BC. Rescuer tows casualty to 'boat' reassuring casualty on way. At boat gives casualty instructions and assistance to leave water (removing equipment first if appropriate).

    At the end of this exercise, the student should be competent and confident in their ability to rescue a distressed diver on the surface by means of a rope throw and by means of surface buoyancy.

11. Debrief

    Review the students' performance, highlighting areas of good performance and offering constructive criticism where necessary. Reiterate that, although these skills may not need to be used on every dive, periodic practice is needed to retain them, so that they will be effective if they are needed.

Skill Performance Standards

At the end of this lesson, the student should be sufficiently competent to be able to achieve the following skill performance standards, without supervision, in the water conditions experienced. Advanced Divers will be viewed as role models by the lesser experienced, and hence skills should be performed with a level of competence commensurate with this role. Students should also exhibit a good level of confidence when performing the skills, with each skill carried out calmly, efficient1y and without fuss:

• Mask removal and clear

  
  With their mask removed, the student continues to breathe steadily, checks correct orientation of the mask before refitting it, expels water by breathing out steadily through the nose and tilting the head either back or forward as appropriate to the type of mask. Completely clearing all the water from the mask in one breath, while desirable, is not essential.

• AS ascent as donor

  
  Donor provides clear access to AS for recipient, takes secure hold of recipient and allows them to establish a stable breathing rhythm. After exchange of 'OK' signals ascends with recipient, venting own buoyancy device as necessary to control ascent. At 6m, ascent terminated and depth maintained while recipient reverts to own demand valve.

• AAS ascent as recipient
  Recipient makes physical contact with donor to attract attention, removes donor's AS from stowage, clears it of water and commences to breathe from it, takes secure hold of donor, when breathing rhythm stabilized exchanges 'OK' signal with donor and then signals 'up' Recipient ascends with donor, venting own buoyancy device as necessary to control ascent. At 6m, ascent is terminated, depth maintained while recipient retrieves, clears and resumes breathing from own demand valve. At surface recipient locates BC mouthpiece and inflates BC orally, without fuss and while maintaining their head above water.

• Jettison casualty's weightbelt
  Casualty held securely, rolled onto back to gain access to weightbelt/weight release(s), weightbelt/weight release(s) operated cleanly and without fumbling, weightbelt/weight pulled fully clear of casualty before being released, secure grip maintained throughout.

• Jettison own weightbelt
  Weightbelt/weight release(s) operated cleanly and without fumbling, weightbelt/weight pulled fully clear of self and equipment before being released.

• Rope throw rescue
  Clear instructions and reassurance to casualty throughout; rope coiled quickly and without tangles, retained end secured; rope thrown cleanly, coils allowed to run off hand freely; rope lands accurately across, or within reach of, casualty; casualty pulled steadily to 'boat' but not so fast as to cause their face to be submerged.

• Surface buoyancy rescue
  Clear instructions and reassurance to casualty throughout; mask, fins and snorkel quickly put on (no undue haste or fumbling); reassurance to casualty and attempts to get casualty to inflate BC on approach; rescuer clear of casualty's grasp at all times, swims around or under casualty; secure grip from behind, fully inflates casualty's' BC without fumbling; reassures casualty during tow to 'boat', clear instructions and assistance to casualty to leave water.

Advanced Diver Open Water Lesson AO2

Rescue Management review

Lesson Objectives

To complement the previous lesson, this lesson reviews further skills which again may not have been exercised for some time. This lesson therefore provides refresher training in these skills, and extends the depth range over which some are practiced.

At the end of this lesson the student should:

• Be competent and confident in their ability to:
  • Recover an incapacitated casualty to the surface, using a controlled buoyant lift
  • Secure the casualty at the surface
  • Administer in-water RB while towing a non-breathing casualty
• Be competent and confident in their ability to manage available resources to maximize the effectiveness of a rescue

Lesson Contents

This lesson comprises two elements:

• a rescue comprising a CBL and tow including RB -as would be carried out by the casualty's buddy
• the management of other divers to effect a rescue

The first element will require another diver to act as the casualty. The second element will require at least 5 other divers to act as either casualty or as other rescuers. This rescue is conducted from a depth of approximately 20m. Where students have not practiced a controlled buoyant lift for some time, it would be prudent to include a preliminary review in shallower water (ie. less than 6m) in a previous dive.

The skills practice entails ascents from 20m to the surface. While the object, for training purposes, is to maintain an ascent rate that is as near to the normal rate as possible, it has to be anticipated that this rate may be exceeded. (For real life rescues, the priority is to ensure that the casualty is successfully recovered to the surface. The urgency of the situation would also dictate a higher than normal ascent rate, but this is not tolerable for training.) Decompression considerations therefore dictate that the controlled buoyant lift be terminated at 6m, from where a normal ascent should be made to the surface. Instructors must take the impact of these multiple ascents, which should be performed early in the dive and before descending to a greater depth, into consideration on the profile of the remainder of the dive and on any subsequent dives. These should be arranged to be very conservative. The total number of ascents should, in any case, be limited to three.

1. Equipment configuration

   The elements of this lesson involving a controlled buoyant lift from 20m should be carried out using the equipment that the student would normally use for adventurous diving. In addition to normal diving equipment, the following items will be required:

   • Oxygen administration equipment
   • A resuscitation training manikin

2. Briefing

   Explain the above objectives and reiterate the point from the previous lesson of the importance of regular practice of skills which would otherwise not be exercised until a situation occurred where a diver's life possibly depended upon their effective execution.

   Explain the structure of the lesson and ensure that all aspects of a SEEDS brief are covered. Stress the importance of 'less haste more speed' during the rescue sequence. Proceeding at a rate at which students can clearly think ahead to what the next step is, is far more effective than rushing into doing the wrong thing. Also highlight the need to consider the decompression implications of the multiple ascents, not only on the remainder of this dive, but also on any subsequent dives. Explain also how these considerations limit the ascent rate to be used for training and the need to terminate the CBL at 6m.

3. Kit up and buddy checks

   Once fully kitted and normal buddy checks have been completed, include a dry run of the CBL technique/buoyancy controls operation. This should determine the most appropriate technique for the configurations of equipment worn, for controlling both the casualty's and diver's own buoyancies, and give practice in the operation of the relevant buoyancy controls, particularly where the student is wearing gloves. The objective of the technique should be to reduce task loading by minimizing the number of volumes of air (on both casualty and rescuer) that have to be controlled. The type and location of buoyancy controls may dictate that positive buoyancy is established using the casualty's dry suit or alternatively using their BC.

4. Entry

   Entry as appropriate for local conditions.

5. Rescue from 20m

   The following elements should be performed as one continuous sequence:

   Controlled buoyant lift (CBL)
   Commence with casualty face down on the bottom at 20m. Rescuer approaches casualty, establishes positive hold on casualty, introduces air into casualtys' dry suit or BC to initiate CBL, continues lift to 6m, venting air in bursts to maintain controlled rate of ascent -more frequently as the ascent continues. Rescuer controls own buoyancy during ascent. Buoyancy controlled to arrest ascent at 6m. Casualty and rescuer should then continue a normal ascent to the surface. At the surface the exercise is resumed with the casualty again going 'unconscious' and the rescuer resuming the CBL hold. Note: At the surface the casualty should resume their role of being unconscious, and not over-inflate their BC as this is part of the rescuer's actions at the surface.

   Secure casualty at surface
   Rescuer fully inflates casualtys' BC to secure casualty at the surface. Signals for assistance (Note: A suitable training signal should be substituted for the emergency signal to avoid misunderstandings by other groups of divers. Ensure however that students do know the real emergency signal and why another is being substituted.) Rescuer inflates own BC for adequate surface buoyancy.

   Tow incorporating rescue breathing (RB) for 50m
   Rescuer removes casualtys' facemask and mouthpiece, establishes grip on chin and underneath casualty, rolls/ventilates casualty for two cycles, tows casualty for approximately 50m, administering two cycles of roll/RB approximately every 15 seconds. During the tow, rescuer frequently checks direction of tow

   At the end of this exercise, the student should be competent and confident in their ability to carry out the rescue sequence of an incapacitated diver. Where this skill is not performed competently or confidently, then further repetitions of the sub-standard elements, with appropriate correction, should be carried out until this standard is achieved. Note that where this involves the CBL itself, the decompression considerations highlighted above, should be taken into account.

6. Exit

   Exit as appropriate to local conditions.

7. Rescue Management

   The scenario to be managed is effectively the shore party's response to the rescue completed in item 4. A party of divers are diving from a shore site when a pair of divers surface about 100m from shore. One of the divers signals for help and then commences to administer RB to the second diver before starting to tow them towards the shore. The student is the Dive Marshal for the dive and there are a number of other divers on shore. For the purposes of this lesson the capabilities of the other divers concerned should be that which, in reality, they have.

   The precise circumstance should be explained to the student and the actions to be taken talked through, with the student taking the lead to identify all the aspects that need to be considered. Instructors should guide the student with suitable questions to ensure that nothing of significance is overlooked. With the necessary thought processes discussed the resulting plan should then be put into action.

   The student should manage the available resources, as appropriate to their capabilities, to implement the necessary actions including (but not necessarily limited to) the following:
   Acknowledgement of emergency signal, dispatch of additional rescuer(s) to swim out from shore to take over tow/RB from initial rescuer, information about casualty relayed back to shore as early as possible; oxygen administration kit readied, call made to emergency services; further rescuer(s) from shore wade out to meet rescuers with casualty; shore party rescuers take over RB and de-kit casualty; initial rescuer assisted to shore; casualty removed from water, RB resumed on land introducing oxygen administration; check for circulation then commencement of BLS, rotation of rescuers giving BLS; record kept of times, events and rescue and first aid actions taken.

   Once the casualty has been landed onto shore, the manikin should be substituted for the casualty so that BLS can be more realistically administered. (Note: For oxygen enriched RB, to avoid depleting the oxygen supply on site, in case of a real incident occurring, this can be simulated. If using positive pressure ventilation equipment oxygen will need to be used, and hence the depletion of the supply will need to be to be planned for.) Rescue activities on shore should be continued for at least 5 mins. to enable all relevant aspects (rotation of rescuers performing BLS etc) to be adequately included.

8. Debrief

   Depending upon the conditions, it may be more appropriate to conduct the debrief in two parts. The first part would cover the diving and personal skills elements of the lesson and would be performed immediately after leaving the water and dekitting, while it is still fresh in everyone's minds. The second part would then cover, and be performed immediately after, the rescue management scenario.

   Review the students' performance, highlighting areas of good performance and offering constructive criticism where necessary. Reiterate that, although these skills won't need to be used on every dive, periodic practice is needed to retain them, so that they will be effective if they are needed.

Skill Performance Standards

At the end of this lesson, the students should be sufficiently competent and confident to be able to achieve the following skill performance standards, without supervision, in the water conditions experienced. While all skills should be performed competently, Dive Leaders however may dive with buddies who are much less experienced than they are, and hence competence alone is insufficient. Students should also exhibit a good level of confidence when performing the skills, with each skill carried out calmly, efficiently and without fuss:

• Rescue sequence

  
  student achieves a secure hold of the casualty, inflates the casualty's buoyancy device to produce adequate positive buoyancy to lift the casualty, manages the casualty's and own buoyancy to achieve a controlled ascent to 6m. At 6m ascent arrested without descending. At surface student fully inflates the casualty's buoyancy device, signals for help, clears casualty's mouthpiece/mask from face, gives two effective breaths of RB, tows casualty 50m maintaining consistent direction and administering two effective breaths of RB approximately every 15 seconds during tow.

• Rescue management

  
  student correctly identifies all significant aspects of the rescue situation; delegates individual tasks to most appropriate rescuers, does not try to do it all themselves: maintains overall control of rescue activities without becoming submerged in detail of any one aspect; all aspects identified correctly prioritised with respect to importance and time; continuously monitors all aspects throughout, adapting overall plan where necessary; appropriate rescue log maintained.