Courses

Certificate in SSBA Construction Diving to 30m (ADAS Part 1 + 2)

Certificate in SSBA Construction Diving to 50m (ADAS Part 3)

Certificate in Construction Dive Management:
Includes: Diver Medic Technician (ADAS)
Onshore Supervisor (ADAS)

ADAS (IMCA) offshore air diver upgrade – Recognition of Prior Learning-exceptional circumstances (for unqualified divers with some experience):

Underwater Construction Diver (NZ unit standards based with cross credit to ADAS):

Certificate in SSBA Construction Diving to 30m (ADAS Part 1 + 2)

The course directly delivers the requirements to achieve Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) Parts 1 and 2 certification and gain a Department of Labour Certificate of Competence necessary to work as a commercial diver in New Zealand for which ADAS certification is a prerequisite. It also meets the requirements of Australian Standard AS 2815 Training and Certification of Occupational Divers and IMCA specifications. The course also includes internationally recognised Diver Alert Network oxygen supply and first aid requirements. The focus is safety and competency in SSBA diving with commercial applications and skills introduced progressively including communications equipment and protocols, underwater maintenance and construction projects, use of tools and equipment underwater (hand, pneumatic, hydraulic and power), search, recovery, rescue and dealing with air supply, compression/decompression issues and emergencies. Practical experience is inherent in the course content and workplace projects may also be included.

On completion of this qualification, graduates will hold the internationally recognised Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme Part 1 and Part 2 Commercial Diver accreditation and Diver Alert Network Oxygen Supply and First Aid certifications, thus meeting the requirements for initial award of a Department of Labour Certificate of Competence and for on shore dive work in Australia. Graduates are able to work as construction divers to a depth of 30 metres using Surface Supply Breathing Apparatus, can safely conduct construction and commercial diving tasks at depth with a range of equipment and can effectively manage the risks inherent in these activities.

Entry requirements:
At least 18 years of age, hold a diver medical clearance from a designated diving doctor, hold a current open water dive card or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills, have completed 10 scuba dives in the last 6 months, be able to apply mathematical knowledge to calculate percentages and simple formulas. International students must have IELTS 5 or equivalent.

Early in the course a practical assessment will be carried out. It consistes of a 200m continuous, unassisted swim, a 10 minute stationary tread water, a basic scuba skills assessment mirroring dive card holder skills (underwater weight belt removal and re-position, BCD removal and re-position, regulator throw away and recovery, mask removal and reposition, and putting on BCD while floating on the surface). This is a no fail assessment and if a student is unsuccessful they will be unable to complete the course. This covers the remaining entry requirements in the Student Handbook and other advertising information.

Certificate in SSBA Construction Diving to 50m (ADAS Part 3)

The programme builds on skills and knowledge obtained in ADAS Part 2. Offshore occupational diving skills are focussed on with current industry practices being taught including operation of wet bells, hot water suits, fitting flanges and 'hot taps' to pipelines, surface decompression with oxygen and more. The course also includes a Hyperbaric Chamber Operators Certificate, completed as part of the ADAS Part 3 curriculum.

Holders of this qualification can successfully carry out underwater construction activities, including the use of a range of equipment, to a depth of 50 metres using Surface Suppy Breathing Apparatus and have a New Zealand, Australian and internationally (IMCA) recognised certification (ADAS Part 3 and Chamber Operator's Certificate) to confirm this.

Entry requirements:
All applicants must have a valid Occupational Diver Medical Certificate; completed ADAS Part 2; be able to swim 200 metres non-stop and then tread water with one arm up for two minutes; jump from a height of not less than two metres into the water; be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, decimals and fractions to calculate percentages; be able to solve simple formulas, such as gas laws. International students must have IELTS 5 or equivalent.

Certificate in Construction Dive Management:

Incorporating - Diver Medic Technician (ADAS)
- Onshore Supervisor (ADAS)

The course directly delivers the requirements to achieve Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) Diver Medic Technician (DMT) and On Shore Supervisor certifications and gain the corresponding Department of Labour Certificate of Competence endorsements necessary to fulfil these safety and supervisory roles as a commercial diver in New Zealand. These certifications also meet the requirements of Australian Standard AS 2815 Training and Certification of Occupational Divers for work in Australia and are IMCA approved. Initially the training focuses on the theoretical and then progresses quickly to scenario based industry specific practical situations. In the case of dive supervision this includes actual practical supervised experience. Medical training hyperbaric and emergency medical procedures specific to diving and is supervised by the Hyperbaric Medical Officer at the Navy Hospital. It is trained and assessed as close as possible to “real life” consistent with maintenance of safety for all concerned. Training time and conditions are deliberately pressured, mirroring industry requirements.

On completion of this qualification, graduates will hold the internationally recognised Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme On Shore Dive Supervisor and Diver Medic accreditations. Graduates are able to provide specialist first aid care in dive situations and manage dive operations. They also meet the requirements of the Department of Labour, Australian Standard AS 2815 Training and Certification of Occupational Divers and IMCA for medic and supervisory positions on commercial diving teams.

Entry requirements:
Practical dive requirements: At least ADAS Part 2 or equivalent. First Aid requirements: Hold a current dive related first aid certificate (ideally DAN recognised) Recent dive experience is preferred and applicants with this and/or higher ADAS equivalent certifications will be accepted first where numbers are limited. International students must have IELTS level 5.5 or equivalent and NZSOS reserves the right to test general and dive specific English language competency in addition to this.

There are additional experiencial requirements needed for full ADAS recognition of the supervisor certification. Where these requirements have not been met ADAS will record the diver as a “provissional supervisor”. At the point that evidence is provided to ADAS demonstrating that the ADAS requirements have been met they will issue the full supervisor endorsement. The requirements are that divers have 200 logged SSBA dives and 200 hrs of logged bottom time on SSBA gained over at least two years. They must also present a letter of recommendation from an employer.

Underwater Construction Diver

The programme is delivered only on an as needed basis and is NZ Unit Standard based with cross credit to ADAS Part 1 and 2 certification. While RPL is available for holders of the relevant Unit Standards, in order to access ADAS accreditation the entirety of the course must still be completed. This programme includes the following Unit Standards:

Entry Requirements:

Before commencing the Underwater Diver Construction Programme students must:

• Have a valid Occupational Diver Medical
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Swim 200 metres non-stop, and then tread water with one arm up for two minutes
• Jump from a height of not less than two metres into the water
• Be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, decimals & fractions to calculate percentages
• Be able to solve simple formulas ie gas laws
• Have valid and current medical

Before commencing the course the agent will cite the following from each student:

• Current diver medic card (if applicable)
• Current open water dive card
• Proof of birth date (preferably birth certificate)