prEN ISO 25325
(Main)Requirements for the training of citizen science divers (ISO/DIS 25325:2025)
Requirements for the training of citizen science divers (ISO/DIS 25325:2025)
This standard specifies the requirements for the training of citizen science divers. The standard shall have a broad scope so as to be applicable to all disciplines of science.
This document is applicable to all recreational divers independent of any scientific background (unlike the ISO 8804 standard series which a primarily directed at the scientific diving community).
A citizen science diver is competent in basic underwater scientific methodologies and protocols and shall be able to assist in scientific diving activities.
This standard will specify competencies, prerequisites for training, Introductory information, Required theoretical knowledge, Required practical skills, Practical training parameters and Evaluation criteria for training systems aimed at training citizen science divers.
Anforderungen an die Ausbildung von Citizen Science Tauchenden (ISO/DIS 25325:2025)
Exigences relatives à la formation des plongeurs scientifiques citoyens (ISO/DIS 25325:2025)
Zahteve za usposabljanje potapljačev v okviru državljanske znanosti (ISO/DIS 25325:2025)
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Publication Date
- 09-May-2027
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 329 - Tourism services
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 329/WG 3 - Recreational Diving Services
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Submission to enquiry - Enquiry
- Start Date
- 16-Oct-2025
- Due Date
- 24-Jun-2026
- Completion Date
- 16-Oct-2025
Overview
The draft international standard ISO/DIS 25325:2025, developed by ISO in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), establishes comprehensive requirements for the training of citizen science divers. Unlike the ISO 8804 series aimed at professional scientific divers, this standard focuses on recreational divers who voluntarily assist in underwater scientific research, regardless of their prior scientific background.
This standard sets out the minimum competencies, prerequisites, and training criteria necessary for recreational divers to effectively and safely participate in scientific diving activities. It aims to facilitate wider involvement in citizen science projects by providing a clear framework to ensure divers are properly trained in fundamental underwater scientific methodologies, protocols, and safety procedures.
Key Topics
The ISO 25325:2025 standard covers multiple essential areas to establish a robust training program for citizen science divers:
- Competencies: Defines knowledge and skills a citizen science diver must acquire, including data collection, underwater survey techniques, and scientific protocols.
- Prerequisites for Training: Covers health assessments, diving qualifications (aligned with ISO 24801-2 autonomous diver level), and guidelines for vulnerable groups like minors.
- Introductory Information: Ensures trainees understand the scope and limits of their role and training.
- Theoretical Knowledge: Detailed curricula on scientific ethics, sustainable diving practices (per ISO 21416), underwater task execution, data accuracy, survey methods, and environmental awareness.
- Practical Skills: Hands-on training in scientific underwater methodologies such as site marking, photo/video usage, aquatic life identification, sampling, and safe operation of specialized equipment like airlifts and lifting bags.
- Training Provision Requirements: Standards for instructor qualifications, risk assessments, emergency procedures, and practical training parameters.
- Evaluation Criteria: Objective standards to assess trainee knowledge and skills to ensure readiness to assist in scientific projects.
Applications
ISO 25325:2025 is particularly valuable for organizations and institutions that involve recreational divers in citizen science projects and environmental monitoring initiatives:
- Environmental and Marine Conservation NGOs can use this standard to train volunteers in data collection for aquatic ecosystem health monitoring and restoration.
- Academic Research Programs seeking to engage community divers for largescale underwater scientific surveys and biodiversity assessments.
- Recreational Diving Centers looking to expand their offerings with certified citizen science diver courses to appeal to environmentally conscious divers.
- Government Agencies and Environmental Regulators may reference the standard to establish training requirements for citizen science programs and foster compliance with sustainable diving protocols.
By standardizing the training and evaluation of citizen science divers, ISO 25325:2025 promotes safe, ethical, and effective volunteer participation in marine and freshwater scientific research, increasing data quality and fostering collaboration between scientists and the diving community.
Related Standards
ISO 25325:2025 aligns with and references related international standards to ensure consistency in diving training and environmental responsibility:
- ISO 24801-2 – Requirements for training recreational scuba divers at the autonomous diver level, forming a baseline for prerequisite diving competencies.
- ISO 21416 – Guidelines for environmentally sustainable practices in recreational diving, integral for teaching citizen science divers about ecosystem preservation.
- ISO 24803 – Specifies general requirements for recreational diving service providers, including introductory information relevant to trainees.
- ISO 8804 Series – Focuses on professional scientific diving training, providing a complementary framework separate from citizen science diver training.
Together, these standards support a comprehensive approach to underwater safety, competency, and sustainability in diving activities that support scientific research.
Keywords: citizen science diver training, ISO 25325, recreational diving, underwater scientific methodologies, scientific diving protocols, sustainable diving practices, diving competencies, aquatic ecosystem monitoring, environmental conservation diving, citizen science diving standards, diving safety training, scientific data collection underwater.
Frequently Asked Questions
prEN ISO 25325 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Requirements for the training of citizen science divers (ISO/DIS 25325:2025)". This standard covers: This standard specifies the requirements for the training of citizen science divers. The standard shall have a broad scope so as to be applicable to all disciplines of science. This document is applicable to all recreational divers independent of any scientific background (unlike the ISO 8804 standard series which a primarily directed at the scientific diving community). A citizen science diver is competent in basic underwater scientific methodologies and protocols and shall be able to assist in scientific diving activities. This standard will specify competencies, prerequisites for training, Introductory information, Required theoretical knowledge, Required practical skills, Practical training parameters and Evaluation criteria for training systems aimed at training citizen science divers.
This standard specifies the requirements for the training of citizen science divers. The standard shall have a broad scope so as to be applicable to all disciplines of science. This document is applicable to all recreational divers independent of any scientific background (unlike the ISO 8804 standard series which a primarily directed at the scientific diving community). A citizen science diver is competent in basic underwater scientific methodologies and protocols and shall be able to assist in scientific diving activities. This standard will specify competencies, prerequisites for training, Introductory information, Required theoretical knowledge, Required practical skills, Practical training parameters and Evaluation criteria for training systems aimed at training citizen science divers.
prEN ISO 25325 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 03.100.30 - Management of human resources. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
You can purchase prEN ISO 25325 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2025
Zahteve za usposabljanje potapljačev v okviru državljanske znanosti (ISO/DIS
25325:2025)
Requirements for the training of citizen science divers (ISO/DIS 25325:2025)
Anforderungen an die Ausbildung von Citizen Science Tauchenden (ISO/DIS
25325:2025)
Exigences relatives à la formation des plongeurs scientifiques citoyens (ISO/DIS
25325:2025)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 25325
ICS:
03.100.30 Vodenje ljudi Management of human
resources
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 25325
ISO/TC 228
Requirements for the training of
Secretariat: UNE
citizen science divers
Voting begins on:
ICS: 03.100.30
2025-10-16
Voting terminates on:
2026-01-08
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
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USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
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POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
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NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
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TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 25325:2025(en)
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 25325:2025(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 25325
ISO/TC 228
Requirements for the training of
Secretariat: UNE
citizen science divers
Voting begins on:
ICS: 03.100.30
Voting terminates on:
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document has not been edited by the ISO Central Secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2025
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
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TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
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NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
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RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 25325:2025(en)
ii
ISO/DIS 25325:2025(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Competencies . 2
5 Prerequisites for training . 2
5.1 General .2
5.2 Minors and vulnerable persons .2
5.3 Health requirements .2
5.4 Diving competencies .2
6 Introductory information . 2
7 Theoretical knowledge . 3
7.1 Scientific methodologies and protocols .3
7.1.1 General .3
7.1.2 Generic methods .3
7.1.3 Survey techniques .3
7.2 Diving environments and conditions .4
7.3 Navigation and orientation during scientific projects .4
7.4 Physiological, psychological, behavioural studies .4
8 Practical scientific diving skills . 4
9 Requirements for the provision of training . 5
9.1 Instructors .5
9.2 Risk assessment .5
9.3 Emergency equipment and procedures.6
9.3.1 Emergency equipment .6
9.3.2 Emergency procedures .6
9.4 Practical training parameters .6
10 Qualification criteria . . 7
10.1 Knowledge .7
10.2 Skills . .7
Bibliography . 8
iii
ISO/DIS 25325:2025(en)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through
ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee
has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations,
governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely
with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent
rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of
patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions
related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade
Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 228, Tourism and related services, in
collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 329,
Tourism and related services, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and
CEN (Vienna Agreement).
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
ISO/DIS 25325:2025(en)
Introduction
This document is aimed primarily at recreational divers wishing to become citizen science divers and
sets minimum requirements for the training of these citizen science divers. It will be beneficial both to
organizations involved in training citizen science divers and the scientific diving community as a whole.
This document is considered the minimum competency standard for recognition as a citizen science diver.
It is intended to provide guidance regarding agreed-upon minimum training requirements, thereby easing
barriers to cross-programme co-operation and reciprocity through common acknowledgment of the basic
skill set for citizen science divers. It provides guidance to scientists wishing to involve such divers in
scientific projects of the capabilities and limitations of individuals trained according to this standard.
Divers trained according to this document may take part in projects under the supervision of a project
leader, or independently while following proper safety and data collection protocols.
v
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 25325:2025(en)
Requirements for the training of citizen science divers
1 Scope
This document specifies minimum requirements for the training of citizen science divers to assist in the
conduct of scientific diving projects.
This document specifies evaluation criteria for these competencies.
This document specifies the requirements under which training is provided, in addition to the general
requirements for recreational diving service provision in accordance with ISO 24803.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referre
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