The Scuba Technician's Qualification System has been designed to provide appropriate training for new technicians and verify the skills of current technicians.

TQS would issue a qualification card to those people who have achieved the requirements of ether Level One, Two or Three.

Level One Scuba Technician

This the formal entry point for a person wanting to become a recognised skilled scuba technician.

The candidate must attend a TQS sanctioned training course. The course will be based on the Scuba Technician's Manual – Level One.

To gain a level one qualification the candidate must show a high level of competency in the following:

• A clear understanding of the working principles of the scuba equipment.
• Be able to follow manufacturer's manuals.
• Know how to use standard reporting and quality control forms.
• Comply with standard servicing techniques.
• Show practical mechanical ability.

Level One Theory Examination

There will be a written examination at the end of the course based on the level one technician's manual and other material presented during the course.

An examination result of at least 75% must be achieved to pass. On the event of a dispute on the examination result TQS will remark the paper and make the final decision.

The examination paper must be discussed with candidates and all areas of weakness must be covered again so there are no major deficiencies of knowledge at the end of the course. Student and instructor must sign the back of the examination paper to verify that where there were incorrect answers given those topics are now fully understood.

If the results are below 75% then the candidate can sit another paper when their knowledge has increased to the required level.

The examination paper must be retained by the instructor and the result recorded in the TQS student file.

Level One Practical Assessment

During the course the instructor will make an assessment of practical skills and will record the result in the TQS student file.

Any disputes regarding the practical assessment will be resolved by TQS on consultation with the instructor and candidate. Practical skills can be re-assessed by the instructor or a TQS representative when the candidate has reached the required standard.

On passing the level one course the instructor must send TQS relevant details of the successful candidates for issue of their qualification cards.

Please be warned that as a level one technician you will be working on life support equipment. So the only way to gain that qualification is to achieve the required skills; not just paying the course fee.

Manufacturer's Endorsements

On completion of a Level One scuba technician's course candidates will need to gain manufacturer's endorsements for the brands they wish to work on.

No TQS technician can work on any brand of scuba equipment without endorsement or consent of the manufacturer or manufacturer's representative.

TQS instructors may be qualified to teach and endorse candidates in some brands of scuba equipment. Those endorsements are usually offered by instructors in conjunction with the level one course.

It is the responsibility of level one candidate to gain the endorsements they require from the specific manufacturer or their representatives. Be aware that some manufacturer's endorsements have a time limit so the endorsement for that brand will show an expiry date on your TQS qualification card. Technicians must do on going manufacturer's updates and training to stay current for those brands.

Once a new endorsement is gained please contact TQS for updating of the data base and issuing of a new card.

Having a card with current endorsements is so important because we anticipate clients wanting service work done will want proof of technicians being qualified and able to work on their specific brand of equipment.

Divers will be invited to call TQS to verify the technician's qualifications.

Level One Technician certification is a probationary qualification. It can be cancelled by TQS if complaints about servicing quality are not rectified or serious breaches of ethics or standards are proven.

Level Two Scuba Technician

A Level Two qualification is an open technician's qualification.

This qualification can be applied for from TQS once a technician has done fifty regulator services.

TQS requires proof of that work by submitting copies of those service sheets. Once TQS has confirmed the services by phoning a sample of the clients all work sheets will be returned to the technician. TQS will then issue a Level Two certification card and register details on their database.

Continual breaches of service quality and standards can also result in cancellation of qualification. Consultation with technician will always occur if any complaints are received. All efforts to resolve the complaints will be followed before any action is taken to cancel qualifications.

Level Three Scuba Technician

A level three qualification is an instructor certification to run level one courses.

Level three applications would be considered with the following requirements.

• The candidate must have worked for at least five years as a full time level two technician.
• Must have superior knowledge in equipment servicing.
• Must have a number of manufacturers instructor endorsements.
• Be able to give acceptable theory and practical presentations within TQS standards.

Workshop Requirements

All service work must be done in an adequately fitted workshop including at least the following criteria.

• All occupation health and safety rules must be followed when running a technicians workshop.
• Manufacturer's manuals for all service work anticipated.
• Adequate lighting.
• Ultrasonic cleaning.
• Use recommended lubricants.
• Have a set of metric and A/F spanners.
• Clean work environment (no grinders, welders or any other machinery producing contaminants detrimental to life support equipment servicing).
• Have worksheets with quality control and an adequate record keeping system.
• Vice with soft jaws (aluminium or brass).
• Tools such as:
  • In line adjusting tool.
  • Line pressure gauge (with relief valve)
  • Torque wrenches (two or three sizes)
  • Allen key sets, both metric and imperial.
  • Screwdriver set, including flat and philips head.
  • Other specific special tools.

Insurance

TQS recommends all technicians are covered adequately by relevant insurance.