Overview
EN ISO 8804-2:2024 / ISO 8804-2:2024 specifies the minimum requirements for training advanced scientific divers and defines evaluation criteria for the competencies expected at this level. Published by CEN and adopted as a European standard (EN ISO 8804-2:2024), it complements general recreational diving service rules (ISO 24803) and is part of the ISO 8804 series that standardizes scientific diving training. The document is intended as a baseline competency standard to promote reciprocity and consistent training across organisations.
Key topics and requirements
The standard organizes training and assessment around clearly defined competencies and training conditions. Major topics include:
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Competency framework
- Minimum knowledge and skill outcomes required for advanced scientific diving.
- Evaluation criteria for certifying competency.
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Prerequisites for training
- Health and diving qualifications, scientific prerequisites, and special considerations for minors and vulnerable persons.
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Theoretical knowledge
- Diving-related theory, risk assessment, legal aspects, and scientific methodologies and protocols (experimental design, generic methods, dive planning).
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Practical scientific diving skills
- Applied techniques for underwater scientific tasks, team management and planning of scientific dives.
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Safety, first aid and emergency response
- First aid, emergency oxygen administration, surface support procedures, emergency equipment and procedures.
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Training provision requirements
- Supervision, instructor qualifications, risk assessment for training, practical training parameters and documentation.
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Qualification criteria
- Demonstrable knowledge, skills, and completion/assessment of a scientific project component.
Applications and who uses this standard
EN ISO 8804-2:2024 is used by organizations that deliver or regulate scientific diving training and operations:
- Universities and research institutions running fieldwork and marine/limnological studies.
- Scientific diving training providers and dive schools designing advanced curriculum.
- Research project leaders and lab managers who need to ensure diver competency for field studies.
- Accreditation bodies and safety officers assessing training programmes and cross-program recognition.
- Environmental and conservation organisations conducting underwater monitoring and data collection.
Benefits include standardized competency expectations, improved safety and quality of underwater research, and easier cross-program collaboration.
Related standards
- ISO 8804-1 - Requirements for the training of Scientific Divers - Part 1: Scientific Diver
- ISO 8804-3 - Part 3: Scientific Diving Project Leader
- ISO 24803 - Recreational diving service requirements (general)
- ISO 21416 - Environmentally sustainable practices in recreational diving
- ISO 24801-2 / ISO 24801-3 - Recreational diving training levels
For organisations implementing advanced scientific diver training, use EN ISO 8804-2:2024 as the minimum benchmark and adapt to local regulations or additional institutional requirements.