Course Overview
The Chamber Operator course is a stand-alone program for divers or non-divers. However, it is normally incorporated in the SSBA to 50m (Part 3) course. The program includes the operation and maintenance of decompression chambers.
All Part 3 and Part 3 (Restricted) divers will be certified specifically as Chamber Operators and this certification is relevant to non diving hyperbaric operations. ADAS Part 1 or Part 2 divers may be certified on successfully undertaking the six (6) day program detailed below. Non divers may also be certified as an ADAS Chamber Operator following a minimum of ten (10) days of training as detailed below.
The intent of the course is to prepare personnel with appropriate diving physics and physiology theory competencies and the practical skills necessary to safely operate a two place compression chamber for decompression, and recompression operations for diving operations and therapeutic treatments.
An Advanced Chamber Operator course is also available for those whose focus is on therapeutic chamber use.
Course Standards
The course meets the requirements of:
- Chamber Operator: Partial completion of Certificate IV in Hyperbaric Operations (Chamber system). National Qualification Code 11006NAT.
- Advanced Chamber Operator: Partial completion of Certificate IV in Hyperbaric Operations (Chamber system). National Qualification Code: 11006NAT.
Note: If you study at an ADAS training establishment outside of Australia you may not be eligible for this Australian Qualifications Framework certificate. 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
Applicants for the Chamber Operator program must:
- Be a qualified diver or have completed the non-diver top up module (see below)
- Have either a recognised current Diver Medic Technician certificate or a current First Aid certification from an accredited training organization (i.e. has been certified within three (3) years of the conclusion of the proposed training program) and that CPR and oxygen resuscitation skills 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.
Advanced Chamber Operator applicants must first hold the Chamber Operator certification.
Competencies
The following units of competency are completed:
Chamber Operator
- NAT11006001 Work safely in hyperbaric operations
- NAT11006036 Apply knowledge of basic physics and decompression tables to hyperbaric work
- NAT11006037 Assist with prevention and treatment of hyperbaric-related illnesses and injuries
- NAT11006038 Prepare, operate and maintain twin-lock compression chamber
- NAT11006065 Apply knowledge of basic physics, anatomy, physiology and psychology to hyperbaric work
Advanced Chamber Operator
- BSBWHS211 Contribute to health and safety of self and others
- NAT11006001 Work safely in hyperbaric operations
- NAT11006002 Maintain effective working relationships within dive or hyperbaric operations team
- NAT11006065 Apply knowledge of basic physics, anatomy, physiology and psychology to hyperbaric work
- NAT11006027 Administer oxygen in hyperbaric chambers and in general emergencies
- NAT11006036 Apply knowledge of basic physics and decompression tables to hyperbaric work
- NAT11006037 Assist with prevention and treatment of hyperbaric-related illnesses and injuries
- NAT11006038 Prepare, operate and maintain twin-lock compression chamber
- NAT11006040 Perform compression, decompression and therapeutic recompression operations
- NAT11006066 Prepare multi-place hyperbaric chamber for treatment
- NAT11006067 Operate multi-place hyperbaric chamber for treatment
- NAT11006068 Conduct post compression routines for treatment
- NAT11006039 Implement emergency procedures for multi-place compression chamber
- HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
- Elective: NAT11006069 Identify and respond to risks associated with hyperbaric therapy
- Elective: NAT11006070 Manage the maintenance of hyperbaric systems
Delivery & Assessment
Both diver and non-diver training and assessment is to be undertaken with an ADAS training facility.
Non-divers are to complete preliminary training before undertaking the full Chamber Operator course. This training includes:
- Physiology and anatomy
- Boyle‘s law and how it applies to barotrauma of descent and ascent
- Henry‘s law and how it applies to decompression sickness: signs and symptoms, predisposing factors, management and prevention
- Dalton‘s law and how it applies to gas toxicity CO, CO2, O2, N2, signs and symptoms, predisposing factors, management and prevention
- Charles‘s law and how it applies to hypothermia, hyperthermia, signs and symptoms, predisposing
- Factors, management, prevention, dysbaric osteonecrosis, legislation
- Standard air decompression tables.
