Professional Divers Training Academy Occupational Diver Information Package Thank you for your enquiry about Occupational Diver Training with PDTA. We hope that this information package will provide you with the information you require to commence an exciting diving career. What is Occupational Diving? In a sentence:-any work performed underwater where an income is produced, and is done by occupational divers. This can include:- Survey Inspection of structures (wharves, piers, etc.), and vessels Construction Demolition Cutting and Welding Salvage Scientific Environmental Archaeology Film and television And in a variety of locations Ports and Harbours Bays Open Ocean & Offshore including oil rigs Inland waters including dams, lakes, rivers and water storage facilities Water tanks Contaminated environments such as sewerage treatment plants PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 1
Course types Occupational SCUBA to 30m known as Part 1 This course is the entry level course for all Occupational Diving. Some students may find that this course provides them with all the training and certification they require for the type of work that they are interested in (see below), others continue on to Occupational SSBA (Part 2). This Occupational SCUBA to 30m course is conducted over a 4 weeks period, running Monday to Friday. Once certified, the Part 1 qualification allows you to work as a diver on SCUBA to a depth of 30m. This is generally done using full-face masks and communications. It includes the use of hand-operated tools (hammer, hand saw, spanners etc) and battery powered hand tools (Nemo) Occupational SCUBA is frequently used and mostly suited to occupational diving sectors such as film and television, marine science (underwater ecology, biology and archaeology), fishing and live catch industry, and for the inspection and assessment of underwater structures. If risk assessment allows, SCUBA may be used for more manual tasks such as clearing a fouled propeller on a boat or inspecting a mooring. Occupational SSBA to 30m known as Part 2 Occupational SCUBA to 30m Part 1 is a prerequisite for this course. The Occupational SSBA (Surface Supplied Breathing Apparatus) to 30m course is a 4 week course, running Monday to Friday. Once qualified, you will be competent in the use of : Surface supplied breathing apparatus Cutting and welding equipment, Pneumatic and hydraulic tools, Digital video and still photography, Ultrasonic and non-destructive testing equipment Your PDTA qualification will also include: Nitrox endorsement on your ADAS certification. (The course includes the use of Nitrox) Kirby Morgan Helmet and Band mask Operators Certification. (PDTA are a Kirby Morgan Dive Systems Technician and User Operator Training Centre) The completion of this level allows you to commence your onshore commercial diving career in underwater construction. PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 2
Restricted Part 1 SCUBA (Scientific) Under review by ADAS detailed info will be added when available This will be a 3 week course Restricted Part 2 SSBA (Scientific) Under review by ADAS detailed info will be added when available Occupational SCUBA to 20m Aquarium Diver The Occupational SCUBA to 20m Aquarium Diver course is a 2 week course, running Monday to Friday. This course is designed specifically for those who intend to only work in confined waters such as an Aquarium, Pool or Zoo. The training and qualification also covers occupational SCUBA in open water to a depth of 20m and is intended for diving work associated with the Aquarium and Zoo environment such as the collection of live animals for display and the inspection and maintenance of Aquarium and Pool infrastructure suitable to be done on SCUBA. Professional Divers Training Academy offer Occupational Dive Supervisor SCUBA to 30m, Occupational Dive Supervisor SSBA to 30m Occupational Dive Supervisor to SSBA to 50m, Chamber Operator Advanced Chamber Operator course. Equipment Technician Kirby Morgan, OTS, Interspiro Further details regarding these courses can be supplied on request. PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 3
Course Prerequisites R Minimum age of 18 years R Understand written and verbal communication in English and can effectively communicate in English with other persons. R Able to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, decimals and fractions; calculate percentages; and transpose and solve simple formulas, e.g. gas laws o Successful completion of the ADAS Language & Literacy test and Numeracy test www.adas.org.au for online learning R Underwater experience - The more comfortable you are in the water the easier it is learn to perform tasks competently and confidently. o Hold a recognised Recreational Diving certification o Evidence of 25 logged dives over the last 3 years (May include course dives). R Swimming ability o A swimming test is conducted during the first week in which you will be required to swim 200m in full SCUBA equipment within 8 minutes and tread water fully clothed for 10 minutes. R Unique Student Identifier o You will need to supply with your application a USI. You can apply for one online if you do not have one. Apply at https://www.usi.gov.au/students R Commercial diving medical o You will need to supply, prior to the commencement of training, a certificate of medical fitness to dive in accordance with AS/NZS 2299.1:2015 o A list of doctors is available from the SPUMS website. www.spums.org.au The First Aid Training is to be from a recognized training provider, and is required to be supplied prior to commencement. R First aid - A current First Aid certificate (valid for 3 years) R CPR - A current CPR certificate (valid for 12 months) R Oxygen administration - A current Oxygen administration certificate (valid for 12 months) R Photo identification - Colour copy of Drivers licence and/or passport PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 4
Application process If you wish to proceed, please: o Complete the application form and email it to PDTA@profdivers.com with any of the required documents that you have available. o Course directors will review your application. o Once your application has been accepted you will be informed and required to pay a $1000 deposit to confirm your place in the course (No further payment is required until the course commences). o As you obtain any certifications for your prerequisites could you please forward them as soon as they are available. 2017 Course dates and Cost Occupational SCUBA The cost for this course is $7,000 Training will be conducted from our Carrum Downs facility in Melbourne. Dates for 2017 17 July 11 August 16 October 10 November Occupational SSBA The course cost is $8,000 Training will be conducted from our Carrum Downs facility in Melbourne. Dates for 2017 14 August 8 September 13 November 8 December Combined SCUBA and SSBA course (8 weeks) If Part 1 & 2 is taken together there is a discounted price of $14,500 PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 5
Financial There are no specific Grants or Government funding for the cost of these courses, however you may be eligible for some assistance from Centrelink. Please see the ADAS website for the links. This is for students to seek individually if they are eligible. These courses are NOT eligible for VET fee help A deposit of $1000 is required to confirm your position on the course. No further payment is required until course begins. Our preferred method of payment is through direct bank deposit, however credit card facilities are available. Other costs to consider are: Commercial Diving Medical $200 - $300 First aid, CPR oxygen course updates if required Travel /transport Accommodation The Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) is the Australian national occupational diver training and certification scheme. ADAS is currently administered by the ADAS Board under the direction of the Commonwealth Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. ADAS operates on a notfor-profit, cost-recovery basis and is committed to operating at the level of the world s best practice. Training can only be conducted by ADAS Accredited Training Establishments who are accredited after demonstrating compliance with rigorous standards for undertaking training and assessment. ADAS courses are conducted under stringent quality controlled arrangements and are developed to meet industry needs with a strong emphasis on occupational health and safety. INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED A world leader in providing career paths in occupational diving. ADAS is proudly one of a small number of internationally accepted diver certification schemes Through our world-class training standards and mutual recognition arrangements with the mainstream international certification agencies, ADAS qualifications have global recognition and acceptance. Find out more about ADAS on their website. www.adas.org.au ADAS also have an online training section on their website, where you find the Language Literacy and Numeracy tests as well as some revision modules. PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 6
PDTA Professional Divers Training Academy (PDTA) is a division of the Professional Divers Group, and is an industry leader in the training and education of occupational divers. PDTA in partnership with Professional Diving Services (PDS) have over 35 years of occupational diving industry experience and expertise along with highly professional training staff to offer you first class occupational diver training. Our Head Office and main training facility is in Carrum Downs, Melbourne. This gives students the opportunity to talk to people within the industry and see how a commercial diving company operates. We also have training facilities in Sydney and Vanuatu and can offer group training at other locations at a client s request. Why choose us? PDTA provides its students with realistic working conditions, actual industry tools and equipment, and a commitment to teaching excellence that turns students into Professional Divers. We always run small class groups (generally 6) to cater for individual learning needs, to maximize your training, and to give students more dive time with hands on experience Our instructors are all current working Commercial Divers with decades of experience, who when not training are out onsite, keeping in touch with the latest developments and industry needs. Safety PDTA accredited occupational diver courses train divers to work safely in a potentially hazardous environment using appropriate risk controls, and gear that is used on a day to day basis by commercial divers PDTA emphasise proper organisation and planning, the use of appropriate operating procedures, and the selection and maintenance of correct diving equipment. Commercial Employment For you to work as an occupational diver you need to have successfully completed an ADAS course so that you can work in the Industry. Professional Diving Services have been employing divers for over 35 years. PDTA staff will give you assistance in preparing an Occupational Diver CV, and with our industry contacts direct you to companies seeking divers for employment and a list of contacts within companies in your immediate area. You will also be given the opportunity to submit your CV to PDTA s partner company Professional Diving Services who are one of Australia s largest single employers of occupational divers. PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 7
Equipment that you will need Diving - if you have, please bring, if not it can be sourced R Wetsuit/drysuit R Booties R Gloves R Hood R Fins R Mask R Torch R Weight belt (if you are driving) R Dive knife (however it is strongly recommended that a Commercial Green River knife be purchased) We have a secure drying room on site for you to leave your equipment in. General R Pens and pencils R Calculator R Paper/writing book R Ruler R Laptop or Tablet (preferable) for out of class work Clothing We often visit work sites where it is compulsory to wear R Long pants R Long sleeve shirt R Work boots (if you have them, if not closed toe shoes) Depending on the season Appropriate seasonal clothing Warm clothing / rain jacket Provided Full set of Theory notes & work books ADAS commercial log book Hi Viz Vests and other Personal Protection Equipment PPE Included One 50m dive in a recompression chamber Nitrox Endorsement on your ADAS card Kirby Morgan Helmet and Band mask Operators Certification (Part 2) Expectations After hours study in evenings and weekend is required. Assistance in the packing, unpacking, washing and putting away of the dive equipment. Most importantly to work as part of a team. PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 8
Course Times Monday to Friday Classroom times: 8am 5pm. Diving days times vary. There is no diving on the last day of the course so you will be able to fly if required. Assessments Assessments are both theoretical and practical Location of our Carrum Downs facility. We are located in Carrum Downs, a Bayside suburb of Melbourne Facilities onsite Meals: We have a kitchenette with a fridge, and tea & coffee making facilities, so you can bring your lunch. Alternatively there are a couple of take away shops within walking distance of the classroom as well as a Shopping Centre and the usual Fast Food outlets within a few minutes drive. Be aware that on diving days you should bring your drinks, lunch and snacks with you. Parking: On-site parking available. Please park on the grass. Transport: As we are in an industrial area buses do not run frequently and you may struggle using public transport. Often students with their own vehicles will assist students without. Accommodation: In recent times, students have been able to find good accommodation at a cheaper price than the local hotels etc offer. They have used www.flatmates.com.au. As well as airbnb. Motels in the area at the higher end are Frankston International (a Best Western motel) and Quest Frankston who have offered us corporate rates, Interstate participants: There will be no diving on the final day of your course so you will be able to fly home the day after course completion. Suggested Pre reading On the ADAS website in their online learning site (where you did your LLN tests). This site also includes a series of self help learning sites for prospective students or trained divers and supervisors to brush up on their skills. Diver Physics (www.physics.adas-online.org) Diver Physiology and Illnesses (www.divingillness.adas-online.org) PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 9
Contact details Phone 03 9775 0998 Email PDTA@profdivers.com Address 2 Sonia Street, Carrum Downs, VIC 3201 www.pdta.com. Look for us on Facebook PDTA Info pack 2017, Version 2 10