Overview
ISO 8804-3:2024 - Requirements for the training of scientific divers - Part 3: Scientific diving project leader defines the minimum training, evaluation and provision requirements for individuals who lead scientific diving projects. It supplements general recreational diving provider requirements (ISO 24803) and builds on the competence levels set out in ISO 8804-1 and ISO 8804-2. The standard focuses on leadership competencies needed to plan, execute, document and quality-assure complex scientific diving operations.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Competencies and evaluation: Minimum knowledge, skills and experience for project leaders, including criteria used in formal evaluation (Clause 10).
- Prerequisites: Candidates must be advanced scientific divers (ISO 8804-2), hold relevant scientific credentials or equivalent experience, have participated in at least two scientific projects, and pass medical screening.
- Theoretical knowledge:
- Experimental design (hypothesis, sampling design, bias, replicates, power/statistics, reporting)
- Generic underwater methods (search & survey, transects, marking, airbags/airlifts, rigging, underwater navigation, sampling, recording, communication)
- Detailed planning for scientific dives (equipment selection, dry runs, gas-consumption monitoring, post-dive procedures)
- Team management and human factors (coordinating multiple teams, remote operations, vessel operations, incident reporting)
- Legal aspects related to diving projects
- Practical skills: Advanced diving techniques, role-based skills (roped diver, tender), first aid and emergency oxygen administration.
- Training provision requirements: Supervision, instructor qualifications (including ISO 24802-2 where supervising training), risk assessment, surface support procedures, emergency equipment and procedures, and parameters for practical training.
Applications and who uses it
ISO 8804-3 is designed for:
- Universities, research institutions and environmental agencies running field-diving studies
- Training organizations developing scientific diving project leader courses
- Dive program managers and safety officers creating SOPs, risk assessments and competence matrices
- Regulators and accreditation bodies seeking a harmonized minimum competency benchmark
Practical uses include curriculum development, qualification frameworks, mutual-recognition agreements across programs, operational checklists for remote or multi-team diving projects, and specifying instructor and emergency-response requirements.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 8804-3:2024, scientific diving, scientific diver project leader training, diving project leadership, experimental design, risk assessment, ISO diving standards.