Overview
EN ISO 24801-2:2014 - "Recreational diving services - Requirements for the training of recreational scuba divers - Part 2: Level 2 - Autonomous diver" specifies the competencies, evaluation criteria and training conditions required for a recreational scuba diver to be certified as a Level 2 Autonomous diver. Published by CEN and identical to ISO 24801-2:2014, the standard defines the minimum knowledge, practical skills and organisational requirements for training and assessment within recreational scuba diving.
Key topics and requirements
The standard lays out clear, structured requirements without prescribing a fixed course programme. Major technical topics include:
- Competency framework - Minimum competencies a diver must achieve to be certified as an Autonomous diver (Level 2).
- Prerequisites and health screening - Entry requirements for trainees, including rules for minors and health considerations.
- Theoretical knowledge - Core subject areas such as equipment, physics of diving, decompression management, dive planning, medical and psychological issues, diving environment and use of breathing gases.
- Practical scuba skills - Required confined-water and open-water skills with defined degrees of mastery for safe autonomous diving.
- Training conditions and parameters - Guidance on supervised practice, confined vs open water progression and practical training limits.
- Evaluation and assessment - Criteria for knowledge tests and practical skill examinations to verify competence.
- Requirements for training organizations - Responsibilities for quality management, instructor qualification and safe delivery of training (references ISO 24803 for service provider requirements).
- Normative references - Cross-references to related standards (e.g., EN 250, EN 12628) that specify equipment and accessory requirements.
Note: The standard defines “breathing gas” for recreational use as a mixture with no less than 20% oxygen.
Applications and who uses it
EN ISO 24801-2:2014 is practical for:
- Training organisations and dive centres - to design curricula and ensure courses meet international minimum competency levels for an Autonomous diver.
- Scuba instructors and examiner bodies - to standardize teaching outcomes and assessments (aligned with ISO 24802 series).
- Certification agencies and regulators - to benchmark national qualifications or accredit training providers.
- Insurance and risk managers - to clarify expected competencies and training controls for recreational divers.
- Recreational divers - to understand the skills and knowledge expected before diving without direct supervision.
Using this standard helps ensure consistent, safe training practices and clear comparability of diver qualifications internationally.
Related standards
- ISO 24801-1 (Level 1 - Supervised diver)
- ISO 24801-3 (Level 3 - Dive leader)
- ISO 24802-1 / ISO 24802-2 (Scuba instructor training)
- ISO 24803 (Requirements for recreational scuba diving service providers)
- EN 250:2000 and EN 12628:1999 (equipment and accessory requirements)
Keywords: EN ISO 24801-2:2014, ISO 24801-2:2014, Autonomous diver, recreational scuba diving, training requirements, diving competencies, scuba instructor, ISO 24803.
