ISO 11121:2017

Overview - ISO 11121:2017 (Recreational diving services)

ISO 11121:2017 specifies minimum content and delivery requirements for introductory programmes to scuba diving in recreational diving services. It is intended for training organizations that offer supervised open‑water introductory scuba experiences to non‑divers. The standard explicitly does not qualify participants as certified divers and is not a training/qualification standard. ISO 11121 applies only when participants are taken into an open water environment (not exclusively confined water such as swimming pools) and supplements the general requirements in ISO 24803.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and intent
  • Introductory, experiential dives under direct supervision; no certification awarded.
• Competence and supervision
  • Supervision by a scuba instructor (level 2 per ISO 24802-2); delegation to a dive leader (ISO 24801-3) is permitted in certain circumstances.
  • Instructors must focus solely on direct supervision during in‑water activities.
• Prerequisites
  • Documented parental/legal consent for minors.
  • Medical screening via questionnaire or examination; referral to medical professionals if in doubt. Annex A gives an example medical screening sheet.
• Knowledge and equipment
  • Participants must receive introductory knowledge on mask, fins, buoyancy compensator, quick‑release weight system, demand regulator, submersible pressure gauge, and alternative breathing gas systems.
  • Basic dive conduct topics: continuous breathing, not holding breath, slow ascents, equalization, hand signals, local hazards, and the need for further training.
• Skills and in‑water activities
  • Required shallow‑water skills: underwater breathing, mask clearing, ear equalization, mouthpiece clearing/retrieval (demonstrated in shallow water before deeper phases).
  • Ratios and limits:
    • Shallow water (pool): max 8 participants per instructor.
    • Natural shallow water: max 4 per instructor (6 if assisted by a dive leader).
    • Open water dives: max 4 participants per level 2 instructor (6 with dive leader).
  • Open water conditions: daylight only, depths ≤ 12 m, direct vertical access to the surface.
  • Instructor equipment minimums include full diving equipment, cutting tool, and emergency signalling device.

Applications - who uses ISO 11121:2017

• Dive centers and training organizations designing or offering introductory open‑water scuba experiences.
• Scuba instructors and dive leaders implementing safe, standardized introductory programmes.
• Operators seeking to align recreational diving services with international best practice and safety expectations.
• Regulators and insurance assessors evaluating service delivery standards for beginner scuba experiences.

Related standards

• ISO 24803 - Requirements for recreational scuba diving service providers
• ISO 24802‑2 - Requirements for scuba instructors (Level 2)
• ISO 24801‑3 - Training requirements for dive leaders (Level 3)

This concise summary helps operators, instructors, and facility managers implement safe, compliant introductory scuba programmes aligned with ISO 11121:2017.