PTRD International Diver Training Standards and Procedures Manual _________________________________________________________________________ Chapter 2 & 3 Supervised Diver Standard & Training Programme Instructor Manual _________________________________________________________________________ PTRD Supervised Diver Standard & Training Program pág. 1 PTRD International Diver Training Standards and Procedures Manual _________________________________________________________________________ Chapter 2 1 Competencies of a Supervised Diver A student who is competent in the safe and correct technique in the use of basic scuba diving equipment in a sheltered water and open water training area with a maximum depth of 12-metres; visibility greater than 5- meters; current less than 0.5-knots; wind-force less than 0.5 on the Beaufort-scale and is ready to gain diving experience in appropriate open water condition under direct supervision of a dive leader (assistant instructor). If accompanied by a scuba instructor, a scuba diver at level 1 – "Supervised Diver" may gain progressive experience beyond these parameters and develop competency in managing more challenging diving conditions designed to lead to higher qualifications. Where further instruction is required this can only be provided by a suitably qualified scuba instructor. Where only further experience is required, this may be supervised by a dive leader. 2 Course classifications (Type & Level) The PTRD Introduction to diving course is considered as a resort diving course and provides a short and easy way to introduce people with underwater world and receive their first PTRD diving certificate. 3 Aims & Objectives of course 3.1 To introduce non-divers to the underwater world and providing them with: Basic skills to safely enter and exit the water, Basic skills to safely use basic underwater breathing apparatus (Scuba), Fin swimming techniques and diving procedures under the direct supervision of a Diving Instructor. 3.2 To familiarize candidates with the self-rescue skills, techniques and problem solving for this level of diving. 4 Entry requirements The service provider shall ensure that the client fulfils the following prerequisites to take part in the training course envisaged. 4.1 Student’s minimum age: 14 years (Documented parental or legal guardian consent shall be obtained when the applicant is a minor.) 4.2 Certification level: None 4.3 Be able to swim free style at least 50-metres, without the use of equipment. 4.4 Candidates must be able to declare medical fitness to dive, as set out in National standards for the country in which they are attending the course. Documented evidence shall be obtained that the student has been medically screened as suitable for recreational diving by means of an appropriate questionnaire or medical examination. In any case of doubt, or at the scuba instructor’s discretion, students shall be referred to proper medical resources. If the student is not examined by a physician the student shall be obliged to confirm by signature that he or she has understood _________________________________________________________________________ PTRD Supervised Diver Standard & Training Program pág. 2 PTRD International Diver Training Standards and Procedures Manual _________________________________________________________________________ written information given by the scuba instructor on diseases and physical conditions which may pose diving related risks. Students shall be advised of the importance of appropriate regular medical examinations. 4.5 The following information shall be made available to the students prior to, or during the first class meeting. 4.5.1 Information prior to provision of the service The service provider shall provide the following information to the client. contractual issues including conditions bearing on the signature, delivery and termination of the contract, prerequisites and any qualification requirements in order to obtain the service (e.g. medical certification, diver certifications), equipment requirements, costs, insurance requirements in accordance with national regulations, local environmental considerations, diving related legislation and legal requirements concerned with the specific kind of service. If the service provided involves training the following additional information shall be provided: limitations of eventual qualification, scope of the training course, course procedures, means and methods for assessment, criteria for successful completion, that records will be kept of their personal data and these records may be passed on to a training organization. In the case of guided dives or organized dives the following additional information shall be provided: information concerning the dive site, in particular hazards which could affect the safety of the dive (e.g. under-water obstructions), arrangements concerning buddy teams and/or group size, depth and/or time limitations. 4.5.2 Information during service provision Prior to each dive or training session, clients shall have safety provisions identified to them, including: the identity and role of staff, emergency procedures, buddy/group assignments the conduct required of clients. 4.6 Risk Assessment The service provider shall ensure that a risk assessment is conducted before each dive, and shall adopt procedures to ensure that all risks are controlled as far as is reasonably possible. The following factors shall be considered as part of this assessment taking into account the capability of participants: water movement (e.g. current, wave action) depth, underwater visibility, _________________________________________________________________________ PTRD Supervised Diver Standard & Training Program pág. 3 PTRD International Diver Training Standards and Procedures Manual _________________________________________________________________________ pollution, entry/exit methods, restricted zones, suitability of the site for planned activities, emergency action plan. The service provider shall have the right to prevent any client from taking part in the activity if following a risk assessment this is deemed to be in the best interest of the client and/or of other clients. 4.7 Emergency equipment and procedures 4.7.1 Emergency equipment For all locations where diving activities take place the service provider shall ensure the availability of: a first aid kit suitable for the planned diving activities, an emergency oxygen unit with a capacity of delivering at least 15 liters/min. of pure oxygen for at least 20 min, a communication system suitable for alerting emergency services. 4.7.2 Emergency procedures At each dive site where diving activities take place a documented emergency plan comprising at least the following information shall be available: procedures for casualty recovery, resuscitation and evacuation, use of the emergency oxygen supply, information about the nearest medical resources (including data about the availability of a hyperbaric recompression chamber). 5 Maximum students/instructor ratios 5.1 Theory: 12/1 5.2 Sheltered water training area: 4/1 5.3 Open water training: 2/1 5.4 Note 1: The in-water ratio must be reduced if open water conditions are not ideal. 5.5 Note 2: All dives must be with an instructor. 6 Instructor/Assistants requirements 6.1 Instructor Course Director 6.1.1. Minimum qualification level - National Country Partner/PTRD 1 Star instructor. 6.1.2. Instructor must be in active teaching status, as required by the National Country Partner. 6.1.3. Insurance and medical approval, as required by the National Country Partner. 6.1.4. Must have submitted their own course outline which has to be approved the Country Partner Technical Committee or must use a standard outline provided by Country Partner itself or PTRD. 6.1.5. Must have approved and valid training in Diver Rescue, medical First aid and CPR by a recognized training organization. _________________________________________________________________________ PTRD Supervised Diver Standard & Training Program pág. 4 PTRD International Diver Training Standards and Procedures Manual _________________________________________________________________________ 6.2 Assistants: Assistants act as support divers only: 6.2.1. Minimum qualification level - National Country Partner/PTRD 3 Star diver. 6.2.2. Insurance and medical approval, as required by his National Country Partner. 6.2.3. Must use the same as an instructor course outline. 6.2.4. Must have approved and valid training in Diver Rescue, medical First aid and CPR by a recognized training organization. 7 Special course requirements 7.1 Course approval by national Country Partner. 7.2 Facilities: 7.2.1. Classroom - adequate classroom, according to the needs of course and students 7.2.2. Confined open water area (sheltered area) must include the shallow water condition and acceptable bottom none-silty composition. 7.2.3. Recommended open water condition mast include: 7.2.3.1. Maximum bottom depth – 12m. 7.2.3.2. Visibility – not less than 5m. 7.2.3.3. Weather condition – less than 0.5 Beaufort scale (no heavy surf zone), 7.2.3.4. Currents – less than 0.5 knots 7.3 Diving equipment requirements 7.3.1. Adequate thermal protection to match the local environment. 7.3.2. Mask, snorkel, fins 7.3.3. Scuba equipment with air as breathing gas: -demand regulator (also referred to as a regulator) -alternative breathing gas system NOTE: This could range from a simple octopus system to a duplicate breathing system with a separate breathing gas supply. -cylinder,