SISOSCB005 — Complete underwater search and recovery dives

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What an assessment for SISOSCB005 must cover

95 assessable components: 3 elements (20 performance criteria), 14 performance evidence and 58 knowledge evidence requirements, plus 3 foundation skills. An audit-defensible tool maps every question and task back to these — that mapping is the coverage matrix Auditori generates alongside the assessment.

Elements & performance criteria

1 Plan underwater search and recovery.

1.1Identify size, weight and other characteristics of lost object.
1.2Assess probable and possible location of lost object and define search area.
1.3Identify and assess site characteristics and hazards that impact the search and recovery operation.
1.4Determine suitable search methods and patterns according to situation.
1.5Determine suitable recovery methods according to size, weight and depth of object to be recovered.
1.6Select search and recovery equipment according to requirements.
1.7Confirm diver roles and protocols for communications between buddy and crew through a pre-dive briefing.

2 Conduct search.

2.1Use surface techniques and above water landmarks to assist in locating position of submerged objects before descent.
2.2Establish boundaries of underwater search area, after descent, and mark starting point with appropriate equipment.
2.3Follow underwater patterns of travel to locate lost objects.
2.4Utilise search lines to assist navigating patterns of travel.
2.5Communicate with buddy and others throughout search using appropriate signals.
2.6Mark position of submerged objects for later retrieval if required.

3 Recover objects.

3.1Retrieve small items by hand, stow in bag and secure for ascent.
3.2Mark location of heavy objects with buoy and line, in case of sinking during retrieval.
3.3Rig lift bag using appropriate knots or clips and check security.
3.4Inflate lift bag gradually to achieve appropriate buoyancy of object, and free object from obstructions as required.
3.5Swim to surface with lift bag or allow to rise independently, assuming safe position in relation to bag.
3.6Secure lift bag at surface and retrieve from water.
3.7Retrieve all markers on search and recovery conclusion.

Performance evidence

plan and complete four search and recovery dives
across the four dives, collectively recover objects of these different weights:
small objects of minimum 1kg and maximum 5 kgs by hand without lift bags
objects of minimum 10kgs and maximum 45 kgs using lift bags
across the four recovery dives, use one of the following compass search patterns:
U search
expanding square
across the four recovery dives, use one of the following search patterns utilising search lines and reels:
circular
semi-circular
jackstay
during each dive consistently:
safely negotiate hazards
communicate effectively with buddy diver using underwater signals

Knowledge evidence

differences between commercial and recreational search and recovery divers, at a basic level of understanding
roles and responsibilities of different recreational divers and support crew in search and recovery operations
different types of search and recovery dives
searching for specific lost items
searching for non-specific items of interest and reasons for not retrieving items of cultural or heritage significance
recovering harmful debris
how site characteristics of recovery dives may differ from optimum recreational diving conditions and how the following affects search and recovery techniques:
bottom topography and composition
water movement – current, tides and surge
hazards and risks associated with underwater search and recovery operations and techniques used to safely negotiate these:
sharp objects and debris
entanglement
low visibility
currents
falling objects
boating traffic
steps in planning search and recovery dives and why these are important:
defining the dive objective
collecting and analysing all available information; environmental conditions and hazards, characteristics of any lost objects, equipment required
selecting diving mode, search and recovery techniques
selecting diving buddy and other team members
briefing
techniques used on the surface to assist with location of submerged items:
tracking sinking items from the shore using landmarks as navigation aids
tracking sinking items from the water or on a boat using landmarks as navigation aids
taking compass bearings and using a slate for recording
for the following underwater and shore based search patterns, suitability for different circumstances, effectiveness and limitations:
U search
expanding square
circular
semi-circular
jackstay
shore walk
snorkeller led
for the above search patterns
how to mark starting points and searched areas
how to execute
how to use a compass in conjunction, as appropriate
how to secure and use search lines as appropriate
communication protocols, specific to search and recovery operations:
underwater line (rope) signals used between buddy divers
underwater line signals used between divers and surface crew
features, functions and operation of search and recovery equipment:
underwater compasses
buoys and anchors
bottom markers
slates
underwater reels and search lines
features, functions and operation of commercial lift bags:
advantages over home-made lift bags
weight ratings of different lift bags up to 45kgs
air sources for lift bags and techniques used to inflate both underwater and at the surface to achieve effective buoyancy
when different knots are used with lift bags, advantages and disadvantages, and how to tie them:
bowline
sheet bend
two half-hitch
dangers of using buoyancy control devices as lift bags
safe position of divers in relation to lift bags throughout recovery operations

Foundation skills

Oral communication skills: to: use clear and unambiguous verbal and non-verbal communications to make intent known with diving buddy and support crew.
Numeracy skills: to: estimate angles for landmarks as navigation aids and for underwater swimming patterns complete basic calculation of weights to select lift bags of appropriate ratings.
Teamwork skills: to: pro-actively and cooperatively work within teams to determine location of lost objects, solve arising problems and effect efficient recoveries.

Unit content sourced from training.gov.au — © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Auditori is not affiliated with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

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Questions about assessing SISOSCB005

What does an assessment tool for SISOSCB005 need to cover?

To satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence, an assessment for SISOSCB005 needs to address all 95 unit components: 3 elements with 20 performance criteria, 14 performance evidence requirements, 58 knowledge evidence requirements, and the foundation skills. A coverage matrix mapping each question and task to these components is what an auditor looks for.

How does Auditori generate an assessment tool for SISOSCB005?

Auditori pulls the current release of SISOSCB005 from training.gov.au and generates a complete package: candidate assessment, assessor guide with model answers and observation criteria, and a coverage matrix mapping every component. A suitably qualified person then reviews and approves the draft in a built-in workflow — consistent with ASQA's guidance on AI use in VET — before export as branded PDF and editable Word.

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Yes — upload your existing assessment or learner guide and Auditori maps it against every element, performance criterion, PE and KE of SISOSCB005, showing exactly what's covered and what's missing. Mapping costs a quarter of a credit.

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