Exercise 5: Equipment ExchangeOn the gear exchange how is it graded? Now that it hasn't been pass/fail for a few years and you say time isn't a factor, I would assume you'd loose marks for bumbling around, making mistakes or having trouble coordinating the buddy breathing?
Think I've already asked about how you'd grade each person since it is a drill that depends on both doing it correctly.
In confined water, demonstrate the ability to effectively
respond to an unusual circumstance underwater by
exchanging all scuba equipment (except exposure suits and
weights) with a buddy while sharing a single regulator
second stage earning a minimum score of 3.
Conduct:
• Orient candidates to procedures for sharing a single
regulator second stage, including exhalation between
breaths and not covering the purge button as the regulator
is passed back and forth.
• Give buddy teams less than five minutes to discuss the exercise.
• Have candidates begin sharing a single regulator second stage
in water too deep in which to stand, exchange equipment
and continue sharing air until they reach shallow water.
• Do not assign problems — allow candidates to resolve any
naturally-occurring ones.
Score Criteria
5 Task performed in a well-thought-out, efficient and
purposeful manner with no sign of problems; very
low anxiety level. Looks routine and appears easy.
4 Task performed competently with a relatively low
anxiety level. Challenges encountered were easily
and efficiently handled.
3 Complete exchange occurred without surfacing.
However, numerous challenges were encountered
that delayed the speed and efficiency of the
performance. This score is also appropriate for a
diver overly dependent on another.
2 Significant problems demonstrated, and exchange
completed only after one or both team members
surfaced once.
1 Inability to complete the exchange; or exchange
completed with one or both divers surfacing more
than once.