ISO 13970:2011

Overview

ISO 13970:2011 specifies minimum requirements for training recreational snorkelling guides and the criteria that a training organization must meet to award a snorkelling guide qualification. The standard complements general recreational diving service rules (ISO 24803) and aligns snorkelling excursion conduct with safety, environmental protection and consistent competency assessment.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and purpose: Defines required competencies, training conditions and evaluation criteria for snorkelling guides.
• Prerequisites: Parental/legal consent for minors and documented medical screening to confirm suitability for guiding snorkellers.
• Theoretical knowledge: Equipment, snorkelling physiology, medical issues, environmental best practices, excursion planning, communications, accident management and local legal requirements.
• Personal snorkelling skills: Mastery of mask, fins, snorkel use; equipment preparation and maintenance; safe entries/exits; snorkel clearing; efficient surface and underwater swimming; ascent/descent procedures.
• Performance benchmarks (examples):
  • Vertical headfirst dive from surface in deep water
  • Swim at least 25 m underwater on a single breath
  • Face-down surface snorkel swim 800 m in 15 minutes or less
  • Ascend safely while protecting head and airway
• Leadership and excursion management: Site selection, emergency planning, participant limits and briefings, group control techniques, monitoring conditions, environmental protection, post-excursion debrief and equipment care.
• Rescue and first aid: Open-water rescue demonstrations (including casualty recovery from depth ≥5 m), management of cramps, panicked or unresponsive snorkellers, transport techniques, and a valid first aid/CPR qualification approved by the training organization.
• Training organization requirements: Quality-control procedures, intervention systems for non-compliant guides, permanent headquarters and public records of authorized guides.
• Instructor requirements: Instructors must be trained to teach/evaluate snorkelling guides and sanctioned by a training organization (note: a scuba instructor Level 2 per ISO 24802-2 meets this requirement).

Applications and who uses this standard

ISO 13970:2011 is used by:

• Snorkelling training organizations and dive schools to design compliant courses and issue recognized qualifications
• Tour operators and recreational diving service providers to set hiring, training and operational policies
• Regulatory agencies and certification bodies for inspecting or accrediting snorkelling services
• Snorkelling guide instructors to structure curricula and assessments Practical applications include creating training syllabi, defining minimum fitness/skill tests, standardizing excursion management procedures, and improving participant safety and environmental stewardship.

Related standards

• ISO 13289 - Conduct of snorkelling excursions
• ISO 24803 - Requirements for recreational scuba diving service providers (general service requirements)
• ISO 24802-2 - Safety requirements for training scuba instructors (Level 2)

Keywords: ISO 13970, snorkelling guide training, recreational snorkelling, snorkelling guide qualification, snorkelling excursion management, snorkelling safety, training organization.