Overview

EN ISO 21417:2019 - Recreational diving services: Requirements for training on environmental awareness for recreational divers is an ISO standard adopted by CEN that specifies requirements for training programmes to educate recreational divers (and non-divers) in environmental awareness and sustainable practices. The programmes include theoretical knowledge and an optional practical water session, and are intended to help divers minimise negative impacts on aquatic environments and participate in conservation actions.

Key Topics and Requirements

The standard defines competencies and core topics that training must cover, including:

Competencies
- Apply best environmental practices for one’s own diving activities
- Identify best practices provided by dive centres and boat operators
- Interact with the aquatic environment to minimise harm
- Participate in positive actions: debris removal, surveying, reporting observations
Theoretical knowledge (must address)
- Climate change impacts relevant to diving: global warming, sea level rise, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, changing currents and weather
- Local threats: overfishing, destructive fishing methods, removal of organisms for trade or souvenirs, land-based pollution (sedimentation, fertilizers, sewage), coastal overdevelopment, vessel anchor/collision damage, harmful cosmetics/sunscreen
- Best environmental practices: impacts of diving (gear transfer of species, anchoring damage, feeding fish, contact with corals/organisms), responsible interaction, and conservation actions
- Types of aquatic environments and environment-specific issues: tropical, temperate, polar and freshwater systems
Practical training
- Optional in-water sessions and surface activities focused on applying best practices and monitoring/reporting techniques
- For any programme parts involving diving/snorkelling, applicable ISO standards for those activities apply
Instructors
- Requirements and responsibilities for instructors to deliver environmental awareness training (see standard for details)

Applications and Users

Who benefits from EN ISO 21417:2019:

Dive centres and instructors designing environmentally focused courses or adding eco-modules
Dive tour operators and boat crews seeking standardised environmental training for staff and customers
Marine protected area managers, NGOs and citizen science programmes that engage recreational divers for monitoring and conservation
Certification bodies and regulators incorporating environmental awareness into recreational diving qualifications

Practical uses include curriculum development, staff training, eco-tourism quality assurance, and improving diver behaviour to reduce environmental impacts.

Related Standards

ISO 13970 - Training of recreational snorkelling guides
ISO 24801-3 - Training for recreational scuba divers - Level 3: Dive leader

EN ISO 21417:2019 supports sustainable recreational diving by providing a clear framework for environmental awareness training that is useful for operators, instructors and conservation stakeholders.

Overview

Key Topics and Requirements

The standard defines competencies and core topics that training must cover, including:

Competencies
- Apply best environmental practices for one’s own diving activities
- Identify best practices provided by dive centres and boat operators
- Interact with the aquatic environment to minimise harm
- Participate in positive actions: debris removal, surveying, reporting observations
Theoretical knowledge (must address)
- Climate change impacts relevant to diving: global warming, sea level rise, coral bleaching, ocean acidification, changing currents and weather
- Local threats: overfishing, destructive fishing methods, removal of organisms for trade or souvenirs, land-based pollution (sedimentation, fertilizers, sewage), coastal overdevelopment, vessel anchor/collision damage, harmful cosmetics/sunscreen
- Best environmental practices: impacts of diving (gear transfer of species, anchoring damage, feeding fish, contact with corals/organisms), responsible interaction, and conservation actions
- Types of aquatic environments and environment-specific issues: tropical, temperate, polar and freshwater systems
Practical training
- Optional in-water sessions and surface activities focused on applying best practices and monitoring/reporting techniques
- For any programme parts involving diving/snorkelling, applicable ISO standards for those activities apply
Instructors
- Requirements and responsibilities for instructors to deliver environmental awareness training (see standard for details)

Applications and Users

Who benefits from EN ISO 21417:2019:

Dive centres and instructors designing environmentally focused courses or adding eco-modules
Dive tour operators and boat crews seeking standardised environmental training for staff and customers
Marine protected area managers, NGOs and citizen science programmes that engage recreational divers for monitoring and conservation
Certification bodies and regulators incorporating environmental awareness into recreational diving qualifications

Practical uses include curriculum development, staff training, eco-tourism quality assurance, and improving diver behaviour to reduce environmental impacts.

Related Standards

ISO 13970 - Training of recreational snorkelling guides
ISO 24801-3 - Training for recreational scuba divers - Level 3: Dive leader

EN ISO 21417:2019 supports sustainable recreational diving by providing a clear framework for environmental awareness training that is useful for operators, instructors and conservation stakeholders.

EN ISO 21417:2019 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics and Requirements

Applications and Users

Related Standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics and Requirements

Applications and Users

Related Standards

Related standards

Recreational diving services — Requirements for training on environmental awareness for recreational divers

Recreational diving services — Requirements for the training of recreational snorkelling guides

Recreational diving services - Requirements for the training of recreational scuba divers - Part 3: Level 3 -…