THREE STAR DIVER COURSE STANDARDS

CMAS THREE STAR DIVER

DEFINITION A fully trained, experienced, and responsible diver who is considered competent to lead and guide open water dives for certified divers without the supervision of an Instructor. This is a professional level of diver and the individual has mastered all of the skills necessary to plan and operate group diving experiences. Among these skills are group control, dive planning, risk management and emergency response training. OVERVIEW The CMAS Three Star Diver Course is designed to provide students with the knowledge needed to organize and conduct minimal risk open water dives as a dive leader. The CMAS Three Star Diver is a professional level of diver and as such carries greater responsibilities and obligations. Candidates contemplating this course should be aware of the necessity of maintaining Qualification and certification in and Mastery of all DAN and ASHI / St. Johns Rescue courses (See list below of specific courses required). Additionally, to remain in active status a Three Star Diver must obtain dive leader liability insurance and provide CMAS AMERICAS a copy of their annual renewal with CMAS AMERICAS listed as an additional insured. Who May Conduct the course. Active Status Two and Three Star Instructors may teach the Three Star Diver Course. Qualifications of Graduates An active-status CMAS Three Star Diver is qualified to organize and conduct dives for certified divers if the diving activities and locale approximate those in which they were trained. Three Star Diver who desires to organize highly specialized activities, such as wreck penetration, cavern or ice dives additional training, knowledge or experience is necessary. An active-status CMAS Three Star Diver is qualified to assist an active-status CMAS Instructor in diving courses.

An active-status CMAS Three Star Diver is qualified to enroll in the DAN Instructor Training programs and become a DAN Instructor. (This is highly recommended for those interested in becoming a CMAS/ CMAS AMERICAS Instructor) If all prerequisites are met, a current CMAS Three Star Diver is qualified to enroll in a CMAS Instructor Training Course (ITC).

[Attending a CMAS Instructor Preparatory Program (PREP) is recommended prior to attending an ITC.] PREREQUISITES FOR ENTERING THE COURSE: Age: Must be at least 18 years old. Diver Certification: Must hold a minimum qualification level of CMAS Two Star Diver or complete the requirements in the training matrix to qualify them as a Two Star Diver. Equivalency will be determined by successfully completing the Two Star Diver written exam with a score of 85% and the Two Star Diver watermanship skills assessment. . DAN certification in Oxygen first aid for Scuba Diving Injuries, Advanced Oxygen first aid for Scuba Diving Injuries First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries, Automatic External Defibrillators for Scuba Divers, On-Site Neurological Assessment for Divers, and Diving Emergency Management. *** Deficiencies can be completed via DAN workshops prior to or in conjunction with this program but must be completed prior to completion of Three Star course. Experience: Documentation of diving experience with a minimum of 50 logged open water dives (beyond those for Two Star Diver qualification). Dives must be varied in environment, depth and activities. If not prospective student should continue to gain varied dive experience prior to being enrolled. Water Skills: Performance of watermanship skills must meet or exceed those indicated in the CMAS Star Diver Course.

COURSE POLICIES Hours Academic 20-35 hours estimated. (In addition, students may expect to spend time outside of class hours researching dive sites, organizing notes and generally preparing for dive briefings and activities.) Water 25 to 30 hours required. Open Water Dives. A total of 50 open water dives is required this includes a combination of training and hands on experience dives. 20 dives should be in the 100 ft (30 meter) range The dives logged should demonstrate the divers broad experience of diving under varying conditions and over a period of time suitable for the accumulation of skills and knowledge. The log should indicate those dives where the diver has been responsible for other divers or for the planning of the diving operation.

COURSE CONTENT Academic Knowledge To qualify for the CMAS Three Star Diver Certification students must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of: CMAS: CMAS, CMAS programs, standards, procedures and hierarchy, DAN Diving Emergency Management Provider, Diving First Aid for Professional Divers and Basic Life Support for Dive Professionals. Three Star Diver Duties: Methods of planning, organizing a dive. Working with instructors on open water training dives Selection and pre-dive evaluation of a dive site Dive briefings and debriefings. Leading and guiding divers and groups of divers. Use of checklists and logs. Use of safety divers. Three Star Diver responsibilities Dive flag use.

Three Star Diver Legal Responsibilities The Legal aspects of dive leadership including: Negligence Community standard of care. Necessity for and proper use of waivers and indemnity agreements. Requirement and reason for liability insurance. Artifacts and/or game collection in local area. Legal relationship between dive leaders, boat owner, Captain, instructor and Three Star Diver. CMAS-specific information. Shore Diving How to plan, organize and execute shore diving activities in salt and fresh water environments, including risk management considerations of contact methods for local EMS, entry and exit point selection, natural and man-made hazards, safety signals, required flags, floats, surface support stations, current, tides, wind, sunburn, chilling or hypothermia, spectator control and safety, and boat traffic.

Emergency Procedures DAN Diving Emergency Management provider, Basic Life Support for Dive Professionals course and Risk Management procedures for emergencies, including effective use of: Assistants Emergency support equipment Underwater communications Diver recall methods Diver assists and rescues CPR and first aid Victim care and handling Activating local emergency medical system. Search and recovery techniques Accident reporting.

Boat Diving Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of safety techniques and skills in boat diving operations including: Boat diving etiquette Boating etiquette and safety Small and large boat diving including required boat equipment and licensing, Navigation and rules of the road, Anchoring and docking, Monitoring weather conditions and broadcasts Reading charts, navigation aids and sources of information. The Captain/Three Star Diver relationship, Dive management from a boat including safe use of: Ladders platforms safety lines proper storing of dive equipment safety procedures boat rescue techniques. The differences and challenges of small boat diving (max of six divers) versus large boat diving (over 6).

Night and Limited Visibility Diving Techniques and procedures used for safe and enjoyable night diving. Including emphasis on: Same day daylight reconnaissance of the night dive site to be used Planning

Safety procedures, Lights used for divers, surface markers - shore and/or boat Local hazards both natural and man-made Underwater communications o Light signal techniques o Buddy lines and line signals o Electronic systems o Diver recalls method and signals

Diving limits Lost diver recovery Checklists Underwater and surface concerns associated with limited visibility diving.

Open Water Rescue Procedures, techniques and challenges associated with diver rescues including: Site evaluation Evaluation of water conditions Assembling a team Conducting search and recovery operations Swift moving or rough water rescue considerations Treatment, care and handling of unconscious divers

Deep and Decompression Diving The student Three Star Diver is to have and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of: Decompression and repetitive dive tables Dive computers Planning, concepts, methods and equipment used in decompression diving. Prevention, signs, symptoms and treatment for emergencies involving decompression sickness and lung over expansion injuries Considerations for high altitude diving, crossing mountains and flying after diving Emergency decompression procedures Reasons decompression diving should be avoided in recreational diving.

Underwater Environment The student Three Star Diver is to have and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of: Physical and biological components of the general diving environment Physical and biological components of the local diving environment, including plant and animal life Divers role of caretaker and ambassador of the underwater environment Promoting a greater respect for the environment and conservation.

Awareness of water pollution Water movement including: o o o o o o o Tides Currents Waves Surf Effects of shore and bottom conditions Surface structure hazards Effects of the wind

Equipment The Three Star Diver candidate must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of: Most common equipment problems and their remedies Recognition of unsafe or improperly assembled equipment Variations in types of gear Pre-dive equipment checks to identify badly worn and potential unsafe equipment Guarding against mishandling and misuse of equipment Air Compressor operation and preventative maintenance

ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATIONS Before granting the qualification the instructor should ensure the student has retained and understood the knowledge required to be a safe C.M.A.S. three star diver. The knowledge assessment will usually take the form of a prepared test using multichoice questions, which allow the coverage of many topics in a short period. Weaknesses that are suggested by the result of this paper can then be investigated by further oral questioning if necessary. A test, using oral and/or written techniques, should be used to establish the divers standard of knowledge. The assessment will normally be made by an Instructor of at least CMAS 2 Star grade and confirmed by the responsible National Technical Committee. ASSESSMENT OF PRACTICAL SKILLS The main qualities to be assessed by the instructor will be the students ability to organise and lead other divers, together with a demonstration of competence in the areas covered by the program. The three star diver must be fully trained and should therefore not display areas of weakness in the practical performance of diving. Three Star Diver (TSD) Students must demonstrate satisfactory open water skills and perform in Three Star Diver roles for practice and evaluation during the planning and conducting of the required open water dives. Direct supervision of an active-status CMAS Instructor is required during these activities. The goal of these exercises is to evaluate the TSD candidates skills and abilities as they apply to the performance of practical Three Star Diver duties. The evaluated activities also further the student Three Star Divers training in group control, dive planning, diver assessment and dive management. In the continuous assessment system the above knowledge and skills will be assessed at various points during the course, and the certificate will only be awarded if the diver is judged to have reached the required standard.

Be fully competent and familiar with sports diving equipment and its use at all depths. Be competent in the organization of diving activities for groups both from the shore and from boats. Be competent in the identification and prevention of diving accidents/incidents Be competent in self-rescue and buddy rescue techniques from depths in the 100 ft (30 meter) range, and the care and treatment of victims.

Practical Skills In order to achieve the level of CMAS Three Star Diver the students must demonstrate in the course of the program that they have the ability, under diving conditions, to successfully perform the following to demonstration quality during an open water dive. 1. Demonstrate competence in the use of mask, fins, and snorkel, by swimming 1640 yards (1500 meters), followed by a 33 ft (10 meter) surface dive to recover an object. 2. Demonstrate the ability to support self and/or victim while transporting 3. Wearing full equipment, swim on the surface 1095 yds (1000 meters) using snorkel. 4. Demonstrate self-rescue and buddy rescue techniques from depths in the 100 ft (lo30 meter) range, followed by surface tow of victim. 5. Demonstrate ability to navigate underwater with and without a compass. 6. Demonstrate ability to handle ropes and tie knots underwater. 7. Be able to participate in the normal running of a dive boat. 8. Be able to lead a group underwater, maintaining control, following a dive plan and route, and returning safely to the surface from any depth range. 9. Demonstrate the ability to use charts and tide tables to select and locate of dive sites. 10. Be fully competent and familiar with sports diving equipment and its use at all depths. 11. Be competent in the organization of diving activities for groups both from shore and boats. 12. Be competent in the identification and prevention of diving accidents/incidents 13. Be competent in self-rescue and buddy rescue techniques from depths in the 100 ft (30 meter) range, and the care and treatment of victims. 14. While Skin Diving Rescue another skin diver in open water from a depth of ten feet/. 15. Pre-dive gear check for self and buddy 16. Entry, buoyancy check, swim to and from dive area, and exit 17. Cover a distance of at least 1000 yards (914 m) during the dive 18. Descents (2 types), underwater swimming (3 fining techniques), and ascents (2 types) 19. Weight belt removal and replacement on surface and bottom 20. Removal and replacement of Scuba unit on the surface 21. Retrieve from at least 20 feet (6.1 m) of water a 10 lb (4.5 kg) weight belt. 22. Simulating a decompression dive make stops at 30 ft (9.144 m) for three minutes and 15 feet (4.6m) for five minutes 23. Clear mask and regulator on bottom 24. Retrieve regulator (two methods) 25. Demonstrate Buddy breathing on the bottom (not alternate breathing source use). 26. Perform a relaxed, controlled emergency swimming ascent from a depth of 15 (4.6 m) 20 feet (4.6m) in open water 27. Maintain proper buoyancy using weights, breathing and BC

28. Complete a night dive in an area previously dived by the class during daylight. 29. Organize and control a satisfactory rescue of a diver simulating an underwater accident in open water, including organizing a search, transporting victim to shore or boat, victim care and accessing emergency systems using safety divers, assistants and other resources as needed. 30. Prepare and present at least two pre-dive briefing for practice and five for evaluation. The briefing will be evaluated on depth of coverage as well as safety and control measures. 31. While acting as a Three Star Diver assisting an Active-Status CMAS Instructor, organize, and assist during an entry level open water experience for a class of one or two star student divers. This may be simulated by having the other members of the Three Star Diver class act as entry level student divers and rotating each student through the Three Star Diver role during the dive. 32. Organize and conduct for evaluation, as a Three Star Diver, both a beach and boat dive for certified divers. If one or the other is unavailable a new setting may be substituted by the instructor suitable for the geographic area in which they are being taught. 33. Organize and conduct a night or limited visibility dive for certified divers for evaluation. 34. A maximum of three scuba dives and one skin dive may be run by the student Three Star Divers on the same day. Diversity of diving situations should as great as possible. All dives will be include a pre-dive briefings, follow that briefing as close as possible and end with a debriefing including logging of the dives. Assessment In the continuous assessment system the above knowledge and skills will be assessed at various points during the course, and the certificate will only be awarded if the diver is judged to have reached the required standard.