Diving ISO Standards

ITDA-IHMP Agency Slovakia uses international standards and requirements for the individual levels of diving certification within its diving training programs. These standards define the required knowledge, skills and competencies of a diver.

The key European and international standards related to recreational diving include EN 14153 and the ISO 24801 series. These standards define three basic levels of competence – supervised diver, autonomous diver and dive leader.

Below you will find an overview of the individual levels and their relationship to the ITDA-IHMP training system.

This standard specifies the competencies a diver must achieve in order for a service provider to award Level 1 “Supervised Diver” certification and defines how these competencies are assessed.

A Level 1 diver must have sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to dive in open water under the direct supervision of a dive leader.

A diver at this level is qualified to:

• dive to a recommended maximum depth of 12 m under the direct supervision of a dive leader,
• dive in a group of no more than four Level 1 divers, provided the dive leader is able to maintain physical contact with each diver,
• perform dives that do not require in-water decompression stops,
• dive with appropriate and adequate surface support available,
• dive in conditions equal to or better than those experienced during training.

Under instructor supervision, the diver may gradually gain experience in more demanding conditions with the aim of achieving a higher qualification.

ITDA-IHMP Entry Level Diver and the one-day Experience Development Course meet the requirements of EN 14153-1.

This standard specifies the competencies a diver must achieve in order for a service provider to award Level 2 “Autonomous Diver” certification and defines how these competencies are assessed.

A Level 2 diver must have sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to dive with other divers of the same level in open water without instructor supervision.

A diver at this level is qualified to:

• dive to a recommended maximum depth of 20 m with other divers of the same level,
• perform dives that do not require in-water decompression stops,
• dive with appropriate and adequate surface support available,
• dive in conditions equal to or better than those experienced during training.

When conditions differ significantly, the diver requires appropriate guidance from the dive leader. Under instructor supervision, the diver may gain experience in more demanding conditions.

ITDA-IHMP Resort Scuba Diver or ITDA-IHMP 2** Diver meet the requirements of EN 14153-2 / ISO 24801-2.

This standard specifies the competencies a diver must achieve in order for a service provider to award Level 3 “Dive Leader” certification and defines how these competencies are assessed.

A Level 3 diver must have sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to plan, organize and conduct dives and lead other recreational divers in open water.

ITDA-IHMP Agency requires the following minimum entry level:

• 60 dives, of which 10 may be credited from the Dive Leader program,
• over 18 years of age and a mature approach to diving,
• at least 30 logged dives using Nitrox or at depths below 30 m,
• certification in 5 specialties,
• first aid / CPR oxygen provider certification from IHMP or DAN,
• sufficient fitness to rescue two divers from depth and safely transport them from the water.

Level 3 divers are qualified to:

• conduct specialized recreational diving activities for which they have been properly trained,
• plan and execute emergency procedures appropriate to the environment and activity.

When conditions differ significantly, appropriate consideration must be given to local conditions. When leading divers in more demanding conditions, the Dive Leader must have the appropriate training and experience.

ITDA-IHMP Dive Leader meets and exceeds the requirements of EN 14153-3 / ISO 24801-3.

The international ISO 24801 standards provide a framework for assessing the competencies of recreational divers at different levels. Within the ITDA-IHMP Agency Slovakia system, these requirements are used as part of the diving education and certification framework.

For divers in Slovakia, this means the opportunity to train within a system that takes into account international requirements for knowledge, practical skills, experience and the safe performance of diving activities.

ITDA-IHMP also offers continuing recreational, technical and specialized diving programs for divers who wish to continue their education and expand their qualifications.