Dive leader is the title of an internationally recognised recreational diving certification. The training standard describes the minimum requirements for dive leader training and certification for recreational scuba divers in international standard ISO 24801-3[1] and the equivalent European Standard EN 14153-3.[2] Various organizations offer training that meets the requirements of the dive leader standard. Some agencies use the title "Dive Leader" for their equivalent certification, but several other titles are also used, "Divemaster" may be the most widespread, but "Dive Supervisor" is also used, and should not be confused with the very different status and responsibilities of a professional diving supervisor. CMAS affiliates certifications which meet the requirements of CMAS 3-star diver should meet the standard by default. The occupation of a dive leader is also known as "dive guide", and is a specialist application of a "tour guide".
Scuba dive leaders are considered competent to plan, organise and conduct dives and to lead other recreational divers on open water dives, and for specialised recreational scuba diving activities for which they have been trained. They are also considered competent to conduct emergency procedures associated with these activities and the relevant diving environment. They may require orientation for unfamiliar local environmental conditions. Additional specialised training and experience is required to lead divers on more demanding dives.[2]
The term is also used by BSAC for a specific certification.[3]
Prerequisites for training, including age and health requirements:
Minimum age 18 years,
Minimum certification is to comply with all requirements for ISO 24801-2 level 2 Autonomous diver with logged experience in at least 60 logged dives, or 50 dives with at least 25 hours dive time, of which 40 must have been done after qualifying at level 2. Dives should include:[4]
Required theoretical knowledge regarding scuba and basic diving equipment, the basic physics of diving, decompression management and dive planning, medical and psychological problems related to diving, the diving environment and the use of nitrox breathing gases, including sufficient theoretical knowledge of the following topics to plan dives in typical local environments, plan for and manage reasonably foreseeable emergencies for these environments:[4]
Safe ascent procedures including decompression stops;
Changes in buoyancy;
Use of special equipment such as an emergency breathing gas supply;
Emergency equipment and procedures.
The diver must demonstrate mastery of underwater navigation.
Skills in planning, organizing and conducting their dives, and leading other recreational scuba divers using both instruments and natural navigation methods.
Evaluation of knowledge and practical skills, and a minimum standard for experience as a number of open water dives.
Equivalent certification to ISO 24801-3
Lowest recreational diver qualifications from various agencies which comply with ISO 24801-3 Diver level 3, Autonomous Dive Leader. The standards for these certifications may exceed Diver level 3 by a variable and unspecified amount - the equivalency is not reciprocal.[5][6]
Before initial diver training and thereafter at regular intervals, a diver should undergo a fitness to dive examination by a diving doctor. This may be considered more important for a dive leader who has a duty of care to their clients. In some countries, such an examination is required by law and it is a prerequisite for any training in many diving schools.
^ abcdeDienstleistungen des Freizeittauchens - Anforderungen an die Ausbildung von Freizeit Gerätetauchen - Teil 3: Ausbildungsstufe 3 - Tauchgruppenleiter (ISO/DIS 24801-3:2012) Deutsche Fassung prEN ISO 24801-3:2012 (in German). DIN. 22 December 2012.
