Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

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

CCC	
CIP Number	0249030404	
Program Type	College Credit Certificate (CCC)	
Program Length	17 credit hours	
CTSO	N/A	
SOC Codes (all applicable) 	Please see the CIP to SOC Crosswalk located at the link below.	
CTE Program Resources 	http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml	

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 & 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 & Tourism  career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to coursework that will prepare students with the basic skills necessary for career employment in professional diving.  In addition to direct vocational qualification, courses taken in this certificate are applicable to an AAS degree 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 at a  proficient level.
02.0	Demonstrate the skills required for scuba rescue procedures and emergency first aid.  
03.0	Demonstrate the skills required for underwater photography.
04.0	Demonstrate the skills required for scuba equipment maintenance and repair.
05.0	Demonstrate the skills required for diving using nitrox as a breathing gas mixture.
06.0	Demonstrate the skills required for computer-based diving.
07.0	Demonstrate the skills required for recompression chamber operations.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Fundamentals of Professional Diving
CIP Number:		0249030404
Program Length:	17 credit hours	

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 at a proficient level. The student will be able to:	
01.01	Define Archimedes’ Principle and its relationship to 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 physiological effects upon the diver.	
01.04	Explain pressure changes in the air vs. water and their physiological effects upon the diver.	
01.05	Explain how divers respond to the effects of water regarding temperature and light.	
01.06	Explain cardiopulmonary anatomy and physiology as they relate to the physiological responses of diving.   	
01.07	Demonstrate the proper selection, care and use of basic scuba equipment including mask, fins, snorkel, buoyancy compensator, cylinder, regulator, instrumentation, exposure protection and weighting system; as well as auxiliary equipment such as knife, light and compass.	
01.08	Demonstrate effective pressure equalization techniques during ascent and descent.	
01.09	Demonstrate effective methods for entry and exit from the water.	
01.10	Demonstrate effective underwater buoyancy control. 	
01.11	Demonstrate effective surface procedures.	
01.12	Demonstrate effective underwater propulsion.	
01.13	Demonstrate effective surface and underwater communication.	
01.14	Demonstrate understanding of decompression theory and planning with both dive tables and planning software.	
01.15	Demonstrate effective use of the diver buddy system.	
01.16	Demonstrate ability to effectively respond to out-of-air emergencies as both the donor and receiver.	
01.17	Identify and describe how to prevent and manage diving medical emergencies.	
01.18	Define and explain various diving environments as they relate to both diver safety and environmental preservation.	
02.0	Demonstrate the skills required for scuba rescue procedures and emergency first aid.  The student will be able to:	
02.01	Identify the cause, signs, 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 recognize potential distressed divers prior to the full expression of an emergency situation.	
02.04	Demonstrate the ability to successfully rescue a responsive and unresponsive scuba diver from the surface and underwater.	
02.05	Demonstrate the ability to perform a rescue on the surface in water too deep to stand in.	
02.06	Demonstrate several techniques used to successfully extricate an injured diver 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	Demonstrate the ability to conduct rapid neurological field examinations.	
02.10	Demonstrate the ability to choose an appropriate oxygen delivery method for an injured diver.	
02.11	Demonstrate the skills required for effective field emergency first aid of diving injuries including decompression illness, drowning, temperature related, marine life injuries and conventional trauma.	
02.12	Demonstrate the ability to effectively hand off a diving accident victim to the EMS.	
02.13	Maintain training and currency in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED) and emergency oxygen administration.	
03.0	Demonstrate the skills required for underwater photography.  The student will be able to:	
03.01	Identify the components of an underwater camera system.	
03.02	Define shutter speed, aperture, depth of field, subject reflectivity, bracketing and available light exposure.	
03.03	Describe how the properties of light underwater impact underwater photography.	
03.04	Demonstrate an understanding of interaction between camera, lens, shutter, ISO, light and focus.	
03.05	Identify the parts of an underwater strobe.	
03.06	Describe the application of artificial light to underwater photography.	
03.07	Describe composition as it applies to underwater photography.	
03.08	Demonstrate proper maintenance of underwater photography equipment.	
03.09	Identify the uses of different focal length lens. 	
03.10	Take a series of photographs underwater then create and present a portfolio.	
04.0	Demonstrate the skills required for scuba equipment maintenance and repair.  The student will be able to: 	
04.01	Identify the materials used in the construction of buoyancy compensator devices (BCD).	
04.02	Identify the cleaning procedures for a BCD.	
04.03	Describe and demonstrate common repairs on a BCD.	
04.04	Identify the materials used in the construction of a wetsuit.	
04.05	Describe the appropriate cleaning and stowing procedures for a wetsuit.	
04.06	Describe and demonstrate common repairs on a wetsuit.	
04.07	Identify the materials used to construct a regulator first stage.	
04.08	Identify the different types of regulators’ first stage.	
04.09	Describe the mechanics of various regulators’ first stage.	
04.10	Identify the common parts of various regulators’ first stage.	
04.11	Explain the process of problem solving different first stage regulator maladies.	
04.12	Identify appropriate tools used for common first stage regulator repairs.	
04.13	Identify the correct pressure testing devices for regulators’ first stage.	
04.14	Complete a pressure test on a various regulators’ first stage.	
04.15	Perform first stage regulator repairs.	
04.16	Identify the different types of ancillary equipment attached to a regulator first stage.	
04.17	Identify the different types of regulators’ second stage.	
04.18	Identify the materials used to construct various regulators’ second stage.	
04.19	Explain the functional theory of the different types of regulators’ second stage.	
04.20	Identify the parts of various regulator second stage.	
04.21	Explain the process of problem-solving different maladies in a regulator’s second stage.	
04.22	Identify appropriate tools used for common second stage regulator repairs.	
04.23	Identify the correct testing devices for regulators’ second stage.	
04.24	Perform a pressure test on various regulators’ second stage.	
04.25	Perform common repairs on a regulator second stage.	
04.26	Identify the materials used in the construction of different types of scuba cylinders.	
04.27	Identify the DOT, OSHA, CGA, and scuba industry standards for visual cylinder inspection.	
04.28	Identify the DOT standards for hydro testing scuba cylinders.	
04.29	Perform a visual inspection on a scuba cylinder.	
05.0	Demonstrate the skills required for diving using nitrox as a breathing gas mixture.  The student will be able to:	
05.01	Define enriched air nitrox (EANx).	
05.02	List nitrox advantages and limitations.	
05.03	Explain nitrox history and current trends.	
05.04	Define central nervous system (CNS) and pulmonary oxygen toxicity.	
05.05	Calculate oxygen exposure.	
05.06	Utilize Dalton’s Law to determine partial pressure and maximum operating depth.	
05.07	Utilize the best mix equation.	
05.08	Demonstrate the ability to use nitrox tables to plan a dive within recreational limits.	
05.09	Explain the equivalent air depth concept.	
05.10	Demonstrate how to use a nitrox computer.	
05.11	Describe the equipment requirements for nitrox diving.	
05.12	Conduct repetitive dives using nitrox mixtures.	
05.13	Calculate the partial pressure limit of oxygen for both the Maximum Operating Depth (MOD) and the Contingency Operating Depth (COD) for recreational diving.	
05.14	Compare and contrast the systems available for gas blending, their advantages and equipment requirements.	
05.15	Blend and analyze an appropriate nitrox mix for a dive within recreational limits.	
05.16	List special equipment considerations for deep diving.	
06.0	Demonstrate the skills required for computer-based diving.  The student will be able to:	
06.01	Define tissue compartment, half-time, M value, nitrogen absorption, controlling compartment, and no decompression limits.	
06.02	Describe situations when slow compartments will determine the no decompression limit.	
06.03	Describe situations when fast compartments will determine the no decompression limit.	
06.04	Describe the limits of decompression theory and current experiments in no-decompression, repetitive, and multi-level diving.	
06.05	Describe the differences in the common dive computer algorithm models and state how they affect single and repetitive dive no-decompression limits.	
06.06	Demonstrate how to plan a dive using a variety of dive tables.	
06.07	Define the purpose of a dive computer and list the data displays shared by all computers.	
06.08	Explain why more no-decompression time may become available when ascending to a shallower depth after reaching the no-decompression limit at a deeper depth.	
06.09	Compare the performance of different dive computers algorithm models in multi-level diving.	
06.10	Explain the recommended procedures for ascent with any dive computer or table.	
06.11	Explain why recreational dive computers should be relied upon for limited decompression only.	
06.12	Identify the various features to consider when selecting a dive computer for specific dive activities.	
06.13	State the safety rules that apply to diving with a dive computer.	
06.14	Demonstrate how to operate a dive computer during pre-dive, dive and post-dive modes.	
06.15	Describe how to download information from a dive computer to a PC.	
06.16	List the considerations for multilevel diving with a dive computer.	
06.17	Identify the equipment needed for a multilevel dive and plan a multilevel dive with emergency procedures for computer failure.	
07.0	Demonstrate the skills 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, ASME PVHO-1 and ADCI, 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	Describe the maintenance requirements for a recompression chamber.	
07.09	Explain the physiological aspects of running a treatment in a recompression chamber.	
07.10	Explain the treatment tables for operating a recompression chamber.	
07.11	Calculate the air requirements for running different treatment tables.	
07.12	Calculate the oxygen requirement for running different treatment tables.	
07.13	Research the medical requirements for running a treatment table.	
07.14	Conduct a simulated medical treatment in a recompression chamber.	

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. 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 AAS 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 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.