Recreational Scuba Training Council - Europe
Minimum Course Content for Recreational Scuba Instructor Certification
1. Scope and Purpose;
These standards provide minimum content requirements for Dive Supervisor (Divemaster, Dive Control Specialist, Dive Coordinator, etc.). These requirements should not be considered as standards for optimum training of a Dive Supervisor. Instructional programs which extend beyond these requirements should, in fact, be encouraged. The requirements of these standards are meant to be comprehensive, but general in nature. That is, the standards present all of the subject areas essential for minimum training of a recreational scuba Dive Supervisor, but they do not give a detailed listing of the skills and information encompassed by each area. These items are simply listed in the standards; it is assumed that detailed course outlines which meet these standards would include specific techniques. For a list of recognized training organizations which have published highly detailed course outlines that meet the standards, see Appendix A.
For recommendations regarding subcategories of information to be presented under each subject area, see Appendix B. which contains a list of recognized educational support materials.
Although the information categories outlined are given in what may appear to be a logical sequence, the outline should not be reviewed as a lesson plan. That is, the order in which the information is presented in the standards does not necessarily define the sequence of a class lesson plan. Similarly, the requirements presented in this document do not indicate the emphasis which should be placed upon a particular subject area, or the manner in which these subjects are to be taught. Course outlines, lesson plans and other training aids prepared by recognized training organizations responsible for recreational scuba Dive Supervisor training are to be used as guidelines for the sequencing and emphasis of course content requirements presented in these standards. Decisions as to sequencing and emphasis are at the discretion of the recognized training organization and are to be made within the context of environmental factors, instructor characteristics, and other relevant considerations.
The intent of these standards is to provide individuals with sanctioned training as Dive Supervisors. The standards cover the supervision of recreational divers and assistance in the training of such divers. A certified scuba Dive Supervisor is qualified to apply the knowledge and skills outlined in these standards to assist certified instructors in conducting educational and scuba skills training of recreational scuba divers, and to conduct supervised diving activities as outlined by his/her respective recognized training organization.
2. GLOSSARY OF TERMS
CERTIFICATION: The bearer has completed all requirements of a scuba Dive Supervisor Certification Course. This verification is issued by a recognized training organization upon the confirmation of the satisfactory completion of all course requirements (as documented in the bearer's individual log and training record).
CERTIFIED DIVE SUPERVISOR: An individual currently qualified and sanctioned by a recognized training organization to assist instructors in teaching recreational scuba divers, and to conduct supervised diving activities as outlined by his/her respective recognized training organization. In order to be sanctioned, the Dive Supervisor must meet the annual renewal requirements of the recognized training organization.
CERTIFIED DIVE SUPERVISOR COURSE: The initial course of Dive Supervisor training leading to Dive Supervisor certification issued by a recognized training organization. Successful completion of a course which meets or exceeds this standard, qualifies an individual to apply the knowledge and skills outlined in them to assist a certified scuba instructor in conducting educational and scuba skills training and to supervise diving activities as outlined by his/her respective recognized training organization.
MINIMUM DIVE SUPERVISOR DIVING SYSTEM: This equipment includes, as a minimum: fins, mask, snorkel, compressed air cylinder and valve, buoyancy control device with low pressure inflator, backpack, regulator, alternate air source (active scuba/air delivery system), submersible pressure gauge, weight ballast system and exposure suit (if appropriate), timing device, depth gauge, knife/diver's tool (unless prohibited by law or regulation at the dive site), compass/direction monitor, emergency signaling device, slate and dive tables.
CURRENT: Certification or document issued which has not reached its expiration date prior to the issuing of Dive Supervisor certification.
DIVER RESCUE: Training offered by a recognized training organization that includes diving specific classroom and water training in the areas of self aid, self assist, buddy aid, buddy assist, emergency planning and accident procedures.
3. PREREQUISITES
In order to qualify for enrollment in a Dive Supervisor course an individual shall meet the following minimum prerequisites.
3.1 Age. The individual shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age; there is no upper limit.
3.2 Medical Examination. The individual shall have a current medical examination and approval for diving by a licensed physician prior to engaging in scuba water skills.
3.3 Logged Dives. The individual shall have completed and logged at least sixty (60) open water dives (as documented in the bearer's individual log book).
3.4 Minimum Instructor Candidate Diving System. The individual shall possess the minimum Dive Supervisor diving system.
3.5 Minimum Diving Experience. The individual shall have experience in night diving, deep diving, search and recovery (or light salvage), and navigation (as documented in bearer's log book).
3.6 Minimum Dive Supervisor Certification. The individual shall have completed the requirements and be certified at an open water diver level.
4. ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTIFICATION
In order to be certified as a Dive Supervisor, an individual shall meet the following minimum eligibility requirements.
4.1 Physical Conditioning and Watermanship Evaluation. The individual shall effectively demonstrate watermanship ability by performing to a certified instructor the watermanship evaluation required by the recognized training organization.
4.2 Knowledge. The individual shall take and pass a written examination of scuba diving and documentation of the examination shall be retained by the certifying instructor or training organization. Each training organization is to have available to RSTC, Inc. a copy of their current Dive Supervisor exam. This examination shall reflect Dive Supervisor knowledge of equipment, physics of diving, physiology of diving, use of the dive tables, diving environment, group control, accident management, dive planning, dive supervising and training standards as specified by the recognized training organization.
4.3 Scuba Skills. The individual shall satisfactorily demonstrate to a certified instructor dive supervisor
4.4 CPR. The individual shall complete training in CPR as required by the recognized training organization. CPR may be taught during the Dive Supervisor Course, but may not be counted towards the minimum course hours.
4.5 First Aid. The individual shall complete training in First Aid as required by the recognized training organization. First Aid may be taught during the Dive supervisor Course, but may not be counted towards the minimum course hours.
4.6 Diver Rescue. The individual shall complete training in diver rescue skills. Upon completion the individual shall satisfactorily demonstrate diver rescue skills by completing at least one (1) open water rescue to a certified instructor as required by the recognized training organization. Diver Rescue may be taught during the Dive Supervisor Course.
4.7 Problem Solving. The individual shall satisfactorily demonstrate to a certified instructor the ability to solve in
4.8 Practical Application. The individual shall complete training in planning, management and control of diving activities as required by the recognized training organization.
4.9 Training Hours. The individual shall complete at least forty (40) hours of specialized training/evaluation. A minimum of thirty (30) hours of this training/evaluation is to occur under the supervision of a certified instructor and is to include the topics outlined in Section 5.2. The remaining hours are to include, but are not limited to, the training outlined in Section 4.6.
4.10 Records. Appropriate Dive Supervisor records are to be retained by the recognized training organization.
5. MINIMUM COURSE CONTENT
5.1 Introductory Information. The following information should be made available to Dive Supervisor candidates prior to, or during the first class meeting.
I. Certification requirements (see section 3 and 4)
II. Scope of course A. Content B. Limitations of eventual qualification
III. Equipment requirements
IV. Course procedures
5.2 Course Topics. The individual shall complete training under the supervision of a certified instructor. Training is to include the topics as required by the recognized training organization and as outlined in this section.
I. Preparation, planning, and control in dive management and diving activities
II. Review of pool and open water procedures as required by the recognized training organization
III. Pool/confined water and open water problem solving
IV. Delivery of at least five (5) appropriate dive management or diving activities
V. Review and discussion of the training standards as required by the recognized training organization
VI. Discussion of the recognized training organizations' requirements for Dive Supervisor certification
VII. Discussion of the professional and ethical responsibility of a certified Dive Supervisor of scuba diving
VIII. Indication of knowledge as outlined in 4.2
5.3 Knowledge Development. The individual shall demonstrate to a certified instructor planning and control in dive management, and the knowledge required for certification from the topics outlined in this section as required by the recognized training organization.
I. Equipment
II. Physics of diving
III. Medical problems related to diving
IV. Use of diving tables
V. Diving environment
VI. Dive planning and dive management control
VII. Communications, both underwater and on the surface
VIII. Diver assistance
IX. Recommended safe diving practices
X. Boat diving procedures
XI. Night diving procedures
XII. Accident management
5.4 Pool / Confined Water Scuba Skills. The individual shall demonstrate to a certified instructor the diving skills as outlined in this section, in addition to preparation and planning (including briefing and debriefing); group control and supervision; problem recognition and solving for at least one pool/confined water diving activity from the topics outlined in this section, and as required by the recognized training organization.
I. Diving system assembly and disassembly
II. Equipment inspection
III. Entries and exits
IV. Proper weighting
V. Mouthpiece clearing - snorkel and regulator
VI. Regulator retrieval
´ VII. Regulator/snorkel exchanges at the surface
VIII. Controlled descents and ascents
IX. Underwater swimming
X. Mask clearing
XI. Underwater exercises
XII. Buddy system techniques
XIII. Underwater and surface buoyancy control
XIV. Surface/snorkel swimming with full diving system
XV. Weight/ballast system removal and replacement
XVI. Scuba system removal and replacement
XVII. Out
5.5 Open Water Training. The individual, wearing an instructional scuba system, shall demonstrate to a certified instructor in the open water, preparation and planning (including briefing and debriefing), group control and supervision for at least two (2) open water diving activities, one of which is to include problem recognition and solving, from the topics outlined in this section, and as required by the recognized training organization.
I. Diving system assembly and disassembly
II. Equipment inspection
III. Entries and exits
IV. Proper weighting
V. Mouthpiece clearing
VI. Regulator retrieval
VII. Regulator/snorkel exchanges at the surface
VIII. Controlled descents and ascents
IX. Underwater swimming
X. Mask clearing
XI. Buddy system techniques
XII. Underwater and surface buoyancy control
XIII. Diver assistance techniques
XIV. Surface/snorkel swimming
XV. Weight/ballast system removal and replacement
XVI. Scuba system removal and replacement
XVII. Out
XVIII. Equipment care and maintenance