Onshore Supervisor

Course Overview

The course covers activities and competencies required for the training and accreditation of dive supervisors who are required to supervise diving work safely and competently using either SCUBA to 30 metres, or surface supplied breathing equipment to depths down to 50 metres, in accordance with AS/NZS 2299.1:2015 and AS 2815.5. It should be noted that there are five separate qualifications under the onshore supervisors qualification scheme:

• Diving Supervision – Aquarium;
• Diving Supervision – Occupational SCUBA to 30m (Part 1);
• Diving Supervision – Aquaculture;
• Diving Supervision – SSBA to 30m (Part 2); and
• Diving Supervision – SSBA to 50m (Part 3).

The core modules from the Diving Supervision – SSBA to 50m (Part 3) course also form part of the training requirements needed to become an Offshore Trainee Supervisor.

The training and assessment course concentrates on diver-related theory in a supervisory context and it includes consideration of the theory, background knowledge and practical skills of on-site diving supervision. It pays special attention to the fundamental responsibilities of a supervisor under relevant OHS/WHS law, particularly hazard identification and risk assessment, and the management of diving emergencies. The course also includes assessment of the planning and supervision of actual dives and communication with actual dive teams.

Course Standards

This course meets the requirements of:

• AS/NZS2815.5
• Aquarium Supervisor: Partial completion of Diploma of Hyperbaric Operations (Diving supervision). National Qualification Code 11038NAT
• Aquaculture Supervisor: Partial completion of Diploma of Hyperbaric Operations (Diving supervision). National Qualification Code 11038NAT
• SCUBA to 30m Supervisor: Partial completion of Diploma of Hyperbaric Operations (Diving supervision). National Qualification Code 11038NAT
• SSBA to 30m Supervisor: Partial completion of Diploma of Hyperbaric Operations (Diving supervision). National Qualification Code 11038NAT
• SSBA to 50m Supervisor: Partial completion of Diploma of Hyperbaric Operations (Advanced diving supervision). National Qualification Code 11038NAT

Note: If you study at an ADAS training establishment outside of Australia you may not be eligible for this Australian Qualifications Framework statement of attainment. The ADAS licence, however, is issued at all ADAS training establishments.

• All ADAS schools teach to the ADAS standard, this means that graduates of non-VET accredited schools may apply to ADAS for a VET qualification through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. Contact ADAS for more information about this process.

Student Prerequisites – General

Before applicants commence ADAS Onshore Supervisor training, the ATE must ensure that they:

• Are trained as a diver to a level equal to or exceeding that specified in AS 2815.1, AS 2815.2, or AS 2815.3 , as appropriate. If the applicant’s qualification has not been current for a period of five (5) years or more, the candidate must (prior to commencing training) contact an ADAS ATE in order to discuss their eligibility and, if required, apply to ADAS for approval to undertake training. That application is to demonstrate the student’s current competency and proficiency in the diving industry equal to, or exceeding, that which would be expected of a current diver to that level. Only upon receiving written confirmation from ADAS is the student to commence training.
  • Occupational diving qualifications recognised as equivalent by ADAS are accepted for enrolment into onshore supervisor training
• Comply with the stream specific diving experience requirements.
• Hold either a recognised current Diver Medic Technician certificate or a current First Aid certificate from an accredited training organization (i.e. has been certified within 3 years of the conclusion of the proposed training program) and CPR and oxygen resuscitation skills must have been refreshed within the 12 month period prior to the conclusion of the training program. The student‘s First Aid qualifications must meet the competency requirements of AS/NZS 2299.1 Occupational diving operations standard operational practice.
• Demonstrate sufficient maturity, leadership and management skills through supply of a letter of suitability for training as a dive supervisor provided by a recognized diving employer. If the student is self employed, the student should seek evidence from alternative sources within the community who can provide credible evidence of the applicant’s level of maturity, leadership capability and management skills. This evidence should then be assessed by the relevant ADAS Training and Assessment Manager (ATAM). If any doubt exists to the suitability of the applicant the matter should be referred to ADAS.
• Demonstrate sufficient operational experience over a range of diving operations, environments, tasks and equipment representative of those likely to be supervised in the future (for example surface support experience of 100 hours tending, compressor operations and maintenance, log keeping, standby diver, panel operation, air testing etc.). This must be support by a formal letter of verification, on a letterhead from a recognised employer of divers (reference ADAS Form Letter).
• Unless Non-English Language (NEL) speaking course arrangements have been made with ADAS, can understand written and verbal communication in English, and can communicate effectively in English with other persons.

Student Prerequisites – Stream Specific

Students applying for onshore supervisor certifications will only be eligible for the qualification being applied for if they meet the stream specific diving pre-requisites shown below.

In all cases, student must have a minimum total of 100 logged occupational dives and 75 hours of logged bottom time to enrol into a supervisor course.  Additional, stream specific pre-requisites also apply: 50 dives and 40 hours of bottom time in any particular stream is required to hold supervisor certification for that stream.

The following stream-specific pre-requisites are in addition to those listed above.

Diving Supervision – Aquarium

As part of the 100 dives and 75 hours bottom time requirement, the candidate should, as a minimum, present logged evidence of 50 Aquarium dives and 40 hours of Aquarium bottom time gained over at least twelve (12) months. Evidence should include a range of dives involving varied environments and collection dives, and be across the range of depths to 20 metres.

Diving Supervision – Occupational SCUBA to 30m (Part 1)

As part of the 100 dives and 75 hours bottom time requirement, the candidate should, as a minimum, present logged evidence of 50 SCUBA dives and 40 hours of bottom time on SCUBA gained over at least twelve (12) months. Evidence should include a range of depths to 30 metres.

Diving Supervision – Aquaculture

As part of the 100 dives and 75 hours bottom time requirement, the candidate should, as a minimum, present logged evidence of 50 Aquaculture dives and 40 hours Aquaculture bottom time gained over at least twelve (12) months. Evidence should include a range of SSBA dives involving current and varied sea states across the range of depths to 30 metres.

Diving Supervision – SSBA to 30m (Part 2)

As part of the 100 dives and 75 hours bottom time requirement, the candidate should, as a minimum, present logged evidence of 50 SSBA dives and 40 hours SSBA bottom time gained over at least twelve (12) months.  Evidence should include a broad range of SSBA dives involving zero and limited visibility, salt and fresh water, current and varied sea states across the range of depths to 30 metres.

Diving Supervision – SSBA to 50m (Part 3)

As part of the 100 dives and 75 hours bottom time requirement, the candidate should, as a minimum, present logged evidence of 50 SSBA dives and 75 hours SSBA bottom time gained over at least twelve (12) months. Approximately 15 dives and 8 hours bottom time should be between 30 and 40 metres, and 15 dives and 5 hours bottom time should be between 40 and 50 metres.

Evidence should include a broad range of high complexity dives involving decompression diving, deep diving (in the range 30 – 50m), dives involving compression chambers and additional specialist equipment such as hot water suits and ancillary service equipment.

Student Prerequisites – Australian or New Zealand Defence Force and Police

In the case of active Australian or New Zealand Defence Force and Police personnel, and in accordance with AS 2815.5, the pre-requisite dive and bottom time requirements do not apply.  In these cases, ATEs are required to obtain a letter from the relevant organisation recommending the individual for assessment and verifying their suitability as a diving supervisor.

Competencies

Aquarium Supervisor

Competencies for this course include:

• NAT11038001 Manage people in hyperbaric operations
• BSBWHS414 Contribute to WHS risk management
• BSBWHS411 Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs
• NAT11038003 Perform duties of dive supervisor in compliance with regulatory framework
• NAT11038004 Apply knowledge of diving physics and physiology to ensure safety
• NAT11038005 Manage hyperbaric illnesses, injuries and medical emergencies
• NAT11038006 Manage risk associated with diving operations
• NAT11038007 Conduct diving operations
• NAT11038008 Plan diving operations
• NAT11038009 Implement plant, equipment and maintenance procedures for diving operations
• NAT11008033 Supervise aquarium diving
• Elective: NAT11038024 Supervise enriched air nitrox diving

Occupational SCUBA to 30m (Part 1)

Competencies for this course include:

• NAT11038001 Manage people in hyperbaric operations
• BSBWHS414 Contribute to WHS risk management
• BSBWHS411 Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs
• NAT11038003 Perform duties of dive supervisor in compliance with regulatory framework
• NAT11038004 Apply knowledge of diving physics and physiology to ensure safety
• NAT11038005 Manage hyperbaric illnesses, injuries and medical emergencies
• NAT11038006 Manage risk associated with diving operations
• NAT11038007 Conduct diving operations
• NAT11038008 Plan diving operations
• NAT11038009 Implement plant, equipment and maintenance procedures for diving operations
• Elective: ADASUP524A Supervise enriched air nitrox diving

Aquaculture

All of the Part 1 competencies plus:

• NAT11038025 Supervise aquaculture diving

SSBA to 30m (Part 2)

All of the Part 1 competencies plus:

• NAT11038011 Supervise use of tools in a diving operation

SSBA to 50m (Part 3)

All of the Part 1 & Part 2 competencies plus:

• NAT11038010 Supervise on site chamber operations
• NAT11006027 Administer oxygen in hyperbaric chambers and in general emergencies
• Elective: NAT11038011 Supervise use of tools in a diving operation
• Elective: NAT11038024 Supervise enriched air nitrox diving

Delivery & Assessment

The training and assessment course concentrates the theory, background knowledge and practical skills of onsite diving supervision. It pays special attention to the fundamental responsibilities of a supervisor under Australian OHS/WHS law, particularly hazard identification and risk assessment and the management of diving emergencies.

Assessment for each supervisor applicant must include the following.

Aquarium

Comprehensive assessment of knowledge of common theory and practical assessments of Aquarium supervision to include all aspects of the conduct of Aquarium diving, including underwater maintenance, cleaning, feeding and collection work associated with the running of an aquarium.

Occupational SCUBA to 30m (Part 1)

Comprehensive assessment of knowledge of common theory and practical assessments of SCUBA supervision to include all aspects of the conduct of Part 1 diving, including establishing the dive site, briefing and debriefing, dive site and emergency management.

Aquaculture

Comprehensive assessment of knowledge of common theory plus Part 2 top-up theory (SSBA/aquaculture-specific, including SSBA equipment and maintenance, aquaculture tool safety) and practical assessments of SSBA supervision to include all aspects of the conduct of Aquaculture diving, including establishing the dive site, briefing and debriefing, dive site and emergency management.

SSBA to 30m (Part 2)

Comprehensive assessment of knowledge of common theory plus Part 2 top-up theory (SSBA-specific, including SSBA equipment and maintenance, pneumatic and hydraulic tool safety, construction techniques) and practical assessments of SSBA supervision to include all aspects of the conduct of Part 2 diving, including establishing the dive site, briefing and debriefing, dive site and emergency management.

SSBA to 50m (Part 3)

Comprehensive assessment of knowledge of common theory, plus Part 2 top-up and Part 3 theory (including chamber operation, offshore awareness, tools, SurDO2 and hot water suits), and practical assessments of the supervision of SCUBA and SSBA (to include all aspects of the conduct of Parts 2 and 3 diving, especially chamber supervision, in water and surface decompression, and diving emergency management including dives over 30 metres), establishing the dive site, briefing and debriefing, and dive site and emergency management.