2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Fundamentals of Professional Diving	
Career Cluster:	Hospitality and Tourism

CCC	
CIP Number	0249030404	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	17 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	49-9092 – Commercial Divers	
Targeted Occupation List	http://www.labormarketinfo.com/wec/TargetOccupationList.htm	
Perkins Technical Skill Attainment Inventory	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/perkins/perkins_resources.asp 	
Statewide Articulation	http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp 	

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Diving Business and Technology AAS degree program (0249030400).

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS or AAS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Hospitality and Tourism  career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Hospitality and Tourism  career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to coursework that will prepare students with the basics skill necessary for career employment in professional diving.  In addition to direct vocational qualification, courses taken in this certificate are applicable to an AAS in Diving Business and Technology.   Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate scuba diving skills and knowledge at an exemplary level.
02.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for scuba rescue and emergency medicine.
03.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for underwater photography.
04.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for scuba equipment maintenance and repair.
05.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for diving using Nitrox as a breathing gas mixture.
06.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for computer-based diving.
07.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for recompression chamber operations.

2014 – 2015
Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Fundamentals of Professional Diving	 
CIP Number:		0249030404	
Program Length:	18 credit hours	
SOC Code:		49-9092

This certificate program is part of the Diving Business and Technology AAS degree program (0249030400).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:	
01.0	Demonstrate scuba diving skills and knowledge at an exemplary level. – The student will be able to:	
01.01	Define Archimedes’ Principle and its relationship to diver buoyancy.	
01.02	Identify the gas composition of typical breathing air.	
01.03	Define and explain the gas laws as they relate to diver buoyancy, air consumption and their medical effects upon the diver.	
01.04	Explain pressure changes in the air vs. water and their medical effects upon the diver.	
01.05	Explain the effects of water upon temperature and light absorption, and its implications for the diver.	
01.06	Explain cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology as they relate to the medical aspects of diving.   	
01.07	Demonstrate the proper selection, care and use of basic scuba equipment including mask, fins, snorkel, buoyancy compensator, tank, regulator, instrumentation, protective clothing and weighting system; as well as auxiliary equipment such as knife, light and compass.	
01.08	Demonstrate effective pressure equalization during descent and ascent through the water column.	
01.09	Demonstrate effective methods for entry and exit from the water.	
01.10	Demonstrate effective underwater buoyancy control. 	
01.11	Demonstrate effective surface control.	
01.12	Demonstrate effective underwater propulsion and navigation.	
01.13	Demonstrate effective surface and underwater communication.	
01.14	Demonstrate effective use of the repetitive dive and decompression tables.	
01.15	Demonstrate effective use of the diver buddy system.	
01.16	Effectively demonstrate multiple emergency out-of-air procedures.	
01.17	Identify and describe how to prevent and manage diving medical emergencies.	
01.18	Define and explain the diver’s environment as it relates to both diver safety and environmental preservation.	
02.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for scuba rescue and emergency medicine. – The student will be able to:	
02.01	Identify the cause, nature, signs and symptoms, treatment and prevention related to the psychological stress of scuba diving and rescue diving.	
02.02	Demonstrate the physical stamina necessary for sustained rescue swimming.	
02.03	Demonstrate the ability to detect potential scuba diving victims prior to the full expression of an emergency situation.	
02.04	Demonstrate the ability to successfully rescue a conscious or unconscious scuba victim on the surface or underwater.	
02.05	Demonstrate the ability to perform rescue breathing on the surface of water too deep to stand in.	
02.06	Demonstrate the ability to successfully extricate a scuba diving victim from the water.	
02.07	Demonstrate the ability to conduct an effective search for a missing diver. 	
02.08	Demonstrate the effective use of repetitive dive tables in conducting a deep dive rescue.	
02.09	Develop certification-level skill as an emergency O2 Provider.	
02.10	Demonstrate the ability to conduct rapid neurological field examinations.	
02.11	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for effective field emergency medical management of diving injuries including decompression illness, drowning, hypothermia, marine life injuries and conventional trauma.	
02.12	Demonstrate the ability to effectively hand off a diving accident victim to the EMS.	
03.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for underwater photography. – The student will be able to:	
03.01	Identify the components of an underwater camera.	
03.02	Describe the application of film to underwater photography.	
03.03	Define shutter speed, aperture, depth of field, subject reflectivity, bracketing, available light exposure.	
03.04	Identify the properties of light underwater.	
03.05	Explain the interaction between camera, lens, shutter, film speed, light and focus.	
03.06	Identify the parts of an underwater strobe.	
03.07	Describe the application of artificial light to underwater photography.	
03.08	Identify the application of a light meter to underwater photography.	
03.09	Describe the components of composition of a picture.	
03.10	Identify proper maintenance items of underwater photography equipment.	
03.11	Identify the uses of different focal length lens. 	
03.12	Apply appropriate indices and take a series of pictures underwater.	
04.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for scuba equipment maintenance and repair. – The student will be able to:	
04.01	Identify the materials used in the construction of BC’s.	
04.02	Identify the cleaning procedures for a BC.	
04.03	Describe and demonstrate the repair process for a BC.	
04.04	Perform repairs on a BC.	
04.05	Identify the materials used in the construction of a wetsuit.	
04.06	Identify the cleaning procedures for a wetsuit.	
04.07	Describe and demonstrate the repair process for a wetsuit.	
04.08	Perform repairs on a wetsuit.	
04.09	Identify the materials used in the construction of the first stages in regulators.	
04.10	Identify the different types of first stages.	
04.11	List the operating principles of the different types of first stages.	
04.12	Identify the parts of the different types of first stages.	
04.13	Explain the principle of cause and effect.	
04.14	Explain the process of problem solving different first stage maladies.	
04.15	Identify the correct tools for the different type of first stage repairs.	
04.16	Identify the correct testing devices for first stages.	
04.17	Identify the process for testing first stages.	
04.18	Perform first stage regulator repairs.	
04.19	Identify the different types of ancillary equipment attached to first stages.	
04.20	Identify the different types of second stages.	
04.21	Identify the materials used in the construction of different types of second stages.	
04.22	Explain the functional theory of the different types of second stages.	
04.23	Identify the parts of the different types of second stages.	
04.24	Explain the process of problem solving different maladies in second stages.	
04.25	Identify the correct tools for working on different types of second stages.	
04.26	Identify the correct testing devices for second stages.	
04.27	Identify the process for testing second stages.	
04.28	Perform repairs on second stages.	
04.29	Identify the materials used in the construction of Different types of Scuba tanks.	
04.30	Identify the DOT, OSHA, CGA, and Scuba industry standards for Visual tank inspection.	
04.31	Identify the DOT standards for hydro testing scuba tanks.	
04.32	Perform a visual inspection on a scuba cylinder.	
05.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for diving using Nitrox as a breathing gas mixture. – The student will be able to:	
05.01	Define Nitrox.	
05.02	List Nitrox advantages and limitations.	
05.03	Explain Nitrox history, its current trends, and its future.	
05.04	List partial pressure considerations in use of mixed gasses.	
05.05	Define CNS oxygen toxicity and unit pulmonary toxicity dose.	
05.06	Determine percent CNS exposure.	
05.07	Describe how EAN is used in recompression therapy.	
05.08	Define Dalton’s Law, oxygen dose and maximum operating depth.	
05.09	Utilize the best mix equation.	
05.10	Explain the equivalent air depth concept.	
05.11	Demonstrate the ability to use NOAA Nitrox tables.	
05.12	Explain the EAD concept for recompression therapy and operation.	
05.13	Demonstrate how to use a Nitrox computer.	
05.14	Explain how EAN is mixed and analyzed.	
05.15	Describe the equipment requirements for EAN diving.	
05.16	Conduct repetitive dives using EAN mixtures.	
06.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for computer based diving. – The student will be able to:	
06.01	Define tissue compartment types and their differences, nitrogen loading, and allowable nitrogen loading.	
06.02	Explain how slower compartments work and the way decompression limits can be determined.	
06.03	List the aspects of diving that make decompression theory necessary.	
06.04	Explain the Navy 120-minute compartment and the DSAT 60-minute compartment.	
06.05	Describe the limits of decompression theory and current experiments in no-decompression, repetitive, and multi-level diving.	
06.06	List the differences in U.S. Navy Dive Tables, DCIEM Tables, DSAT Tables, Bulman Tables, BSAC Tables and the PADI Wheel.	
06.07	Demonstrate how to conduct dive profiles using the U. S. Navy dive Tables, DSAT Tables and the Wheel.	
06.08	Define staged decompression and demonstrate how U. S. Navy dive Tables are used to plan staged decompression.	
06.09	Sketch a schematic of a dive computer.	
06.10	Define the purpose of a dive computer and list the data displays shared by all computers.	
06.11	Define multi-level diving.	
06.12	Explain why more decompression time may become available when ascending to a shallower depth after reaching the no-decompression limit at a deeper depth.	
06.13	Explain the limits of tables in multi-level diving.	
06.14	Compare the performance of different dive computers in multi-level diving.	
06.15	Compare and contrast the performance of various dive computers in repetitive diving.	
06.16	Explain the recommended procedures for ascent with any dive computer or table.	
06.17	Explain why dive computers should be relied upon for limited decompression only.	
06.18	Identify the features to consider when selecting a dive computer.	
06.19	State the safety rules that apply to diving with a dive computer.	
06.20	Demonstrate how to operate a dive computer on the surface, subsurface and emergency decompression mode.	
06.21	Demonstrate how to down load information from a dive computer to a PC.	
06.22	List the hazards of multi-level diving and how to avoid each.	
06.23	Identify the equipment needed for a multi-level dive and plan a multi-level dive with contingency plans for computer failure.	
07.0	Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required for recompression chamber operations. – The student will be able to:	
07.01	Identify the functions of a recompression chamber.	
07.02	Identify the different types of recompression chambers.	
07.03	Identify the materials that recompression chambers are constructed from.	
07.04	Identify the US Coast Guard standards required for a recompression chamber.	
07.05	Identify the DOT requirements for a recompression chamber.	
07.06	Identify the ASME standards for a recompression chamber.	
07.07	Identify the NFPA requirements for a recompression chamber.	
07.08	Identify the NEC requirements for a recompression chamber.	
07.09	Identify the operational equipment for recompression chamber.	
07.10	Describe the maintenance requirements for a recompression chamber.	
07.11	Explain the physiological aspects of running a treatment in a recompression chamber.	
07.12	Explain the treatment tables for operating a recompression chamber.	
07.13	Calculate the air requirements for running different treatment tables.	
07.14	Calculate the Oxygen requirement for running different treatment tables.	
07.15	Research the medical requirements for running a treatment table.	
07.16	Conduct a simulated medical treatment in a recompression chamber.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program.  These activities include instruction in the use of safety procedures, tools, equipment, materials, and processes related to these occupations.  Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.  Laboratory activities for this program encompass a wide variety of both physical and natural environments including classrooms, a pool and an open water facility for student teaching; computer stations; equipment repair, storage and distribution areas (dive locker); actual and simulated underwater work stations in open water both inland and offshore; and diver delivery stations on docks, beaches and boats. Cooperative arrangements with local businesses allow advanced students to interact with real customers in the actual working environment. Laboratory activities range from basic motor skill development through the performance of complex underwater tasks. Equipment employed in laboratory activities includes scuba diving equipment, wet and dry exposure suits; wireless and hard–wire underwater communications equipment; harnesses and tethers; and underwater computers, hand tools, cameras and other research instruments. The primary laboratory, an on-campus, open water, all weather underwater training area (UTA), contains abundant marine life, archeological artifacts (timbers from an actual treasure galleon) a sunken boat, submerged vehicles including a school bus, a large aeration system, and several work diving simulators.

Special Notes

The State of Florida is the world’s leading employer in the business of recreational diving. Many of these businesses, along with other employers of underwater workers, are represented on the A.A.S. Degree Advisory Committee for Diving Business and Technology. Classes involving diving sometimes are conducted at the site of these businesses, which represent a regular source of employment of students, often even before completion of their degree. Interaction with special classes conducted regularly for diving employees of such agencies as the Florida Department of Transportation, South Florida Water Management District, public safety agencies, and Federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provide degree-seeking students with an opportunity for first-hand experience with careers in diving technology.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities as identified on the secondary student’s Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan or postsecondary student’s accommodations’ plan to meet individual needs and ensure equal access.  Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors.  Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education.  Accommodations change the way the student is instructed.  Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems.  Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.

Articulation

For details on articulation agreements which correlate to programs and industry certifications refer to http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/artic_frame.asp.