STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Review buoyancy and pressure changes.

         A.      Define squeeze, equalization and the term reverse block.

         B.      Describe how often a diver should equalize their air spaces during ascent due to air expansion, and the most efficient method of breathing dense air under water.

         C.      Understand the equipment use and care.

         D.      Describe the underwater environment.

         E.      Identify the purpose and how diving equipment works.

         F.      Identify both types of alternate air sources.

         G.      Explain the need and use of diving instruments.

         H.      Practice diving communication and the responsibility divers have to their buddies.

         I.      Describe a thermocline and underwater visibility.

         J.      Review the diving environment.

         K.      Restate the basic steps to assisting another diver and the ways to prevent or control most diving problems.

         L.      Explain how to breathe from a free-flowing regulator.

         M.      Practice assisting a diver with problems that may occur under water.

         N.      Explain how to prevent problems with contaminated air.

         O.      Review and practice the primary use of dive tables.

         P.      Discuss a dive plan, safety stops and decompression.

         Q.      Practice performance skills for PADI certification for scuba diving.

 

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Introduction to Diving

         A.      Buoyancy control

         B.      Pressure changes

         C.      Air space and equalization

         D.      Equipment usage and care

 II.     Adapting to the underwater world

         A.      The underwater environment

         B.      Respiration

         C.      Diving equipment

         D.      Alternate air sources

         E.      Diving instruments

         F.      Diving communications

 III.    The diving environment

         A.      Temperature changes and visibility

         B.      Currents and tides

         C.      Aquatic bottom compositions

         D.      Marine life

 IV.     Problem recognition

         A.      Assisting another diver

         B.      Prevention or control of underwater problems

         C.      An unconscious diver

 V.      Breathing air at depth

         A.      Breathing air at depth

         B.      Contaminated air

         C.      Nitrogen narcosis

         D.      Decompression sickness

 VI.     Dive tables

         A.      Recreational dive planner

         B.      No-decompression limit

         C.      Residual nitrogen pressure group, surface intervals, dive profile, actual and total bottom time

 VII.    Recreational dive planner special circumstances and safety practices

         A.      Safety stops

         B.      Altitude considerations

         C.      Cold water diving

         D.      Minimum surface intervals

         E.      Compass and underwater navigation

 VIII.   Scuba practical skills

         A.      Utilization of scuba equipment

         B.      BCD skills

         C.      Regulator usage

         D.      Mask, fins, and snorkel skills

         E.      Breathing techniques

         F.      Underwater swimming skills

         G.      Descent and ascent skills

         H.      Safety checks

         I.      Water entries and exits

         J.      Rescue and emergency skills

         K.      Buoyancy skills

         L.      Remove, replace, adjust and secure the scuba unit