Overview
EN ISO 13293:2012 - Recreational diving services: Requirements for gas blender training programmes specifies minimum requirements for training programmes and the competencies an individual must demonstrate to receive a gas blender certificate. The standard defines two qualification levels (Level 1 and Level 2), recognizes modular delivery of training, and focuses on safe production, analysis, handling and supply of breathing gas mixes for recreational diving.
Key Topics
- Qualification levels
- Level 1 gas blender: authorized to blend enriched air nitrox (EAN).
- Level 2 gas blender: authorized to blend and supply a broader range of gases (including helium-based mixes such as trimix/heliox where covered).
- Competencies and scope
- Competence to blend gases, verify cylinder compatibility (working pressure, marking, test validity) and maintain records.
- Clear exclusions: completion of EN ISO 13293:2012 does not qualify a person to advise divers on gas selection, set dive operational parameters (e.g., maximum operating depth or partial pressure limits), or perform oxygen cleaning and equipment servicing.
- Theoretical and practical content
- Gas blending and delivery methods, composition of gases and gas blends, and considerations for elevated oxygen levels.
- Oxygen compatibility and oxygen-clean concepts; cylinder marking and handling; gas analysis, record keeping and gas blending calculations.
- Practical skills assessments and instructor competence requirements.
- Quality and safety
- Emphasis on following accepted safety protocols and standards when producing and supplying breathing gases.
Applications
- Target users and beneficiaries:
- Dive training organizations and scuba diving federations implementing or auditing gas blender training programmes.
- Dive operators and recreational diving service providers who need trained personnel to prepare and supply breathing gases safely.
- Regulatory bodies and quality managers establishing minimum competency criteria for gas blending in recreational diving.
- Practical value:
- Helps ensure consistent, traceable gas blending practices, reducing risk from incorrect mixes or contaminated cylinders.
- Supports modular training approaches, enabling organisations to tailor programmes for gas blender training, upskilling from Level 1 to Level 2, or integrating with broader instructor training.
Related Standards
- ISO 11107:2009 - Requirements for enriched air nitrox (EAN) training programmes
- ISO 24802-1 and ISO 24802-2 - Safety-related minimum requirements for recreational scuba instructor training (Levels 1 & 2)
- ISO 24803 - Requirements for recreational diving service providers
EN ISO 13293:2012 is a practical reference for safe gas blending in recreational diving and provides a harmonized basis for certificates, training curricula, and competency assessment.
