S-3.1, r. 8 - By-law respecting qualifications for recreational underwater diving

Schedule Disposition versions

2012-09-01

SCHEDULE 2

(ss. 4 and 8)

CONTENT OF EXAMINATIONS – CLASS A DIVER

THEORETICAL EXAMINATION

— Functions of the various equipment required for recreational underwater diving at the Class A diver level including mask, snorkel, fins, buoyancy compensator, exposure suit (drysuit and wetsuit), weight belt, dive flag, compressed breathing gas cylinder, backpack, regulator, submersible pressure gauge, alternate compressed breathing gas source, diving watch and underwater timer, compass, depth gauge, digital decompression device (dive computer) and diving knife.

— Appropriate selection and use of the various equipment required for recreational underwater diving.

— Basic theory on the use of a drysuit and the skills required.

— Principles of physics related to recreational underwater diving and effects on the diver.

— Preventive measures and causes of accidents in recreational underwater diving.

— Reading and using a decompression table in recreational underwater diving (no-decompression limits and maximum bottom time for repetitive dives without decompression stops).

— Environmental conditions and their effects on the diver.

— Effective communication with a diving partner under water and at the surface.

— Basic principles of self rescue and assistance to a partner in difficulty.

— Basic principles related to the planning and practice of safe recreational underwater diving.

— Safety procedures for boat diving.

— Use of a diver’s log.

— Safety requirements for recreational underwater diving.

— Code of ethics and the diver’s responsibilities.

— Québec legislation with regard to underwater diving.

— Benefits of taking part in activities supervised by diving clubs and dive professionals.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATION IN OPEN WATER

— Ability to assemble and disassemble the equipment required for recreational underwater diving in cold water.

— Ability to appropriately inspect the underwater diving equipment and identify malfunctions.

— Ability to appropriately select, following observation of the environment, safe water entry and exit.

— Ability to choose the proper weighting required for safe diving according to environmental conditions and the equipment used.

— Ability to correctly use and store the diving equipment.

— Ability to correctly clear the snorkel and the regulator mouthpiece.

— Ability to switch from the snorkel to the regulator at the surface.

— Ability to carry out controlled descents and ascents at safe speeds.

— Ability to move correctly under water without tiring.

— Ability to effectively clear the mask under water.

— Ability to work with a diving partner.

— Ability to control buoyancy at the surface and under water.

— Ability to assist a diver in difficulty.

— Ability to swim at the surface, with full diving equipment, while breathing with the snorkel.

— Ability to remove the weight belt at the surface.

— Ability to remove the scuba system at the surface.

— Ability to solve the problem of a lack of compressed breathing gas during diving.

— Ability to find one’s bearings without a compass under water.

M.O. 2002-01, Sch. 2.