ISO 13289:2011

Recreational diving services - Requirements for the conduct of snorkelling excursions

ISO 13289:2011 specifies minimum requirements for service providers offering supervised recreational snorkelling excursions. ISO 13289:2011 applies to activities that will include participants being taken into an open water environment. It does not apply to activities that are exclusively conducted in a confined water environment, e.g. pools. ISO 13289:2011 also specifies particular conditions under which the service is provided, in addition to the general requirements for recreational diving service provision specified in ISO 24803.

Services relatifs à la plongée de loisirs — Exigences pour la conduite d'excursions de plongée avec tuba

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Nov-2011
• ICS: 03.080.30 - Services for consumers
• ICS: 03.200 - Leisure. Tourism
• ICS: 03.200.99 - Other standards relating to leisure and tourism
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 228 - Tourism and related services
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 228/WG 1 - Diving services
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Start Date: 04-Dec-2024
• Completion Date: 13-Dec-2025

Overview

ISO 13289:2011 - Recreational diving services - Requirements for the conduct of snorkelling excursions - sets minimum safety and operational requirements for service providers running supervised open‑water snorkelling excursions. It is focused on experiential, supervised activities (not pool training) and complements general recreational diving service requirements in ISO 24803. ISO 13289:2011 clarifies participant prerequisites, briefing content, supervision procedures, equipment and emergency planning for safe snorkelling excursions.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Applies to snorkelling excursions that take place in open water; excludes activities conducted exclusively in confined water (e.g., pools).
• Participant prerequisites: Documented parental/guardian consent for minors; medical/fitness information and advice on risk factors (cardiac, pulmonary, loss of consciousness). Includes recommended medical screening and a sample risk awareness declaration.
• Briefing and introductory information: Mandatory pre‑excursion information per ISO 24803 and warnings that completion does not qualify participants to snorkel unsupervised. Briefings must cover equipment selection and fit (mask, snorkel, fins, PFDs, exposure suits), snorkelling techniques, buddy system, hand signals and environmental/behavioural considerations.
• Supervision ratios and procedures: Ideal maximum ratios - 1 guide : 20 participants when supervising from a base station and 1 guide : 12 participants for in‑water supervision. Ratios must be reduced under less‑than‑ideal conditions. Guides must provide direct supervision and may not engage in other tasks while supervising. Buddy pairing and check‑in/check‑out accountability are required.
• Equipment and emergency requirements: Base station or guide must have first aid, emergency oxygen (≥15 L/min for ≥20 min), recall devices (whistle/air horn), timing device, communications (VHF/cell), and contact details for local emergency services. Recommended items include AED, marker buoys/flags, rescue/boarding provisions, GPS, drinking water and surface support vessels.
• Emergency planning: Written emergency plan including lost‑participant procedures, recall, casualty removal, and next‑of‑kin notification.

Applications and users

ISO 13289:2011 is intended for:

• Tour operators, dive centers and snorkel service providers offering supervised open‑water excursions
• Snorkelling guides and supervisory staff developing operating procedures, briefings and emergency plans
• Safety officers and regulators who set local operational standards and inspection checklists
• Organizations creating participant waivers, medical screening forms and staff training outlines

Practical uses include creating standard operating procedures (SOPs), staff competency requirements, risk assessments, participant briefings, equipment checklists and emergency response plans to improve safety and legal defensibility.

Related standards

• ISO 24803 - Requirements for recreational scuba diving service providers
• ISO 13970 - Training of recreational snorkelling guides
• ISO 24801‑3, ISO 24802‑1, ISO 24802‑2 - Training standards for dive leaders and instructors

Keywords: ISO 13289:2011, snorkelling excursions, recreational diving services, snorkelling guide, open water snorkelling, snorkel safety, supervision ratios, emergency oxygen.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 13289
First edition
2011-12-01
Recreational diving services —
Requirements for the conduct of
snorkelling excursions
Services relatifs à la plongée de loisirs — Exigences pour la conduite
d'excursions de plongée avec tuba

Reference number
©
ISO 2011
©  ISO 2011
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

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.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
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.
ISO 13289 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 228, Tourism and related services.

Introduction
This International Standard provides minimum service requirements for the conduct of snorkel excursions.
These requirements do not constitute in any way a standard for the training and qualification of snorkellers,
but instead are intended to introduce a participant to recreational snorkelling via a supervised, controlled
experience, and to encourage the participant to seek further training.
In view of the fact that the snorkel excursion does not result in qualification, but is experiential in nature, in-
depth knowledge of snorkelling skills is not necessary. Participants are taught only what is necessary for them
to experience snorkelling under direct supervision.

iv © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 13289:2011(E)

Recreational diving services — Requirements for the conduct
of snorkelling excursions
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies minimum requirements for service providers offering supervised
recreational snorkelling excursions.
This International Standard applies to activities that will include participants being taken into an open water
environment. It does not apply to activities that are exclusively conducted in a confined water environment, e.g.
pools.
This International Standard also specifies particular conditions under which the service is provided, in addition
to the general requirements for recreational diving service provision specified in ISO 24803.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 13970, Recreational diving services — Requirements for the training of recreational snorkelling guides
ISO 24801-3, Recreational diving services — Safety related minimum requirements for the training of
recreational scuba divers — Part 3: Level 3 — Dive leader
ISO 24802-1, Recreational diving services — Safety related minimum requirements for the training of
recreational scuba instructors — Part 1: Level 1
ISO 24802-2, Recreational diving services — Safety related minimum requirements for the training of
recreational scuba instructors — Part 2: Level 2
ISO 24803, Recreational diving services — Requirements for recreational scuba diving service providers
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
snorkelling
activity of swimming while typically using a mask, a snorkel and fins, where participants remain at the surface
or make occasional breath hold dives, and where buoyancy devices can be used to provide surface support,
depending on the environmental conditions and participants' abilities
3.2
service provider
entity, including any individual acting on behalf of such an entity, which offers snorkelling excursions
NOTE The entity can be an individual or an organization.
3.3
snorkelling guide
individual qualified in accordance with ISO 13970, ISO 24801-3, ISO 24802-1 or ISO 24802-2
3.4
participant
individual who takes part in a snorkelling excursion in open water
3.5
base station
position where support and/or emergency equipment is located
EXAMPLE A vehicle on shore; a boat; a floating platform.
3.6
confined water
swimming pool with a depth appropriate to the activity or body of water, offering similar conditions with regard
to visibility, depth, water movement and access
3.7
open water
body of water significantly larger than a swimming pool, offering conditions typical of a natural body of water
3.8
direct supervision
supervision of a group of snorkellers by a snorkelling guide who is in a position that allows rapid intervention
on behalf of the snorkellers
3.9
snorkelling equipment
equipment consisting of fins, a mask, a snorkel, a personal flotation device (if appropriate), a quick release
weight system (if appropriate) and an exposure suit (if appropriate)
NOTE An example of a personal flotation device is a snorkelling vest.
4 Prerequisites for participation
4.1 Minors
The service provider shall ensure that documented parental or legal guardian consent is obtained when the
participant is a minor.
4.2 Health and fitness requirements
The service providers shall inform the participants of the health and fitness considerations associated with
snorkelling activities. In particular, they shall be advised about risk factors, including those associated with
cardiac diseases, pulmonary diseases and conditions that may lead to a rapid loss of consciousness.
Attention shall be drawn to the risks associated with increased age or decreased fitness levels during physical
activity.
Advice given to the participants about controlling these risks shall include the importance of the following:
a) informing the service provider of any adverse medical conditions;
b) using flotation devices;
2 © ISO 2011 – All rights reserved

c) snorkelling with a fit buddy;
d) remaining within the immediate vicinity of the snorkelling guide;
e) ending or limiting the activity before becoming tired, cold or unduly stressed.
NOTE 1 It is advisable to include this advice in a documented format to participants, and in their own language. An
example document is provided in Annex A.
In any case of doubt, or at the service provider's discretion, the service provider shall refer participants to
proper medical resources.
NOTE 2 An example form for medical screening is provided in Annex B.
5 Introductory information
The service provider shall make available to the participants relevant information in accordance with
ISO 24803, prior to the conduct of the snorkelling excursion.
In addition, participants shall be informed that the completion of a snorkelling excursion in accordance with
this International Standard does not qualify the participants to snorkel unsupervised.
6 Briefing of participants
6.1 General
The service provider shall provide information on equipment, excursion conduct and safety considerations to
participants, as specified in 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4.
6.2 Equipment
The service provider shall ensure that participants have appropriate introductory knowledge of the selection
(e.g. correct fit), use and, where relevant, sanitization of the following equipment items:
a) fins;
b) mask;
c) snorkel;
d) personal flotation device (if appropriate);
e) quick release weight system (if appropriate);
f) exposure suit (if appropriate).
6.3 Excursion conduct
The service provider shall ensure that participants have appropriate introductory knowledge on snorkelling
and the snorkelling environment, as follows:
 snorkelling techniques (e.g. equalization of ears and mask, clearing of snorkel);
 emergency and routine hand signals and communications (including emergency recall signal);
 snorkelling buddy system;
 points of interest and environmental considerations;
 behaviour and techniques to avoid disturbing marine life.
6.4 Safety considerations
The service provider shall advise participants how to minimize the risk of harm from any of the following
hazards that are relevant:
 sunburn;
 heat exhaustion/heat stroke;
 hypothermia;
 dangers associated with surface traffic (e.g. collision, propellers);
 harmful aquatic life;
 getting separated from the snorkelling guide or base station;
 boarding the wrong boat after the excursion;
 exhaustion;
 breath holding hazards (e.g. shallow water blackout, hyperventilation);
 currents;
 wave action.
7 Requirements for in-water activities
7.1 During the actual conduct of the excursion, the safe supervision of participants is the responsibility of
the snorkelling guide.
7.2 The service provider shall limit the number of participants per snorkelling guide where environmental
c
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