Experienced diver competency assessment (EDCA) of surface supplied and closed bell / saturation divers and Life Support Technicians
- Recommended Practice
- January 2026
This document sets out the recommended practice for assessing the competency of experienced divers and life support technicians (LSTs) who lack IMCA-recognised in-water diving qualifications but have substantial offshore experience. It covers three main groups:
Surface supplied divers
Closed bell / saturation divers
Life support technicians (LSTs).
The EDCA is not a substitute for formal in-water diver training but is intended for divers from regions without IMCA-recognised training schemes or where access to such training is restricted.
Contents
Background: IMCA’s Experienced Diver Competency Assessment (EDCA) scheme
Eligibility criteria
Assessment criteria: Surface supplied divers
Assessment criteria: Closed bell / saturation divers
Assessment criteria: Life support technicians
Assessment team
Post-assessment procedure
EDCA: Diving contractor’s responsibilities
Certification
Submission of EDCA candidates’ data to IMCA
Retention of records
Feedback and complaints process
Appeals process
Appendix A – Experience statement (Surface supplied diver with no formal in-water training diving certificate)
Appendix B – Experience statement (Surface supplied diver with in-water training diving qualification)
Appendix C – Experience statement (Closed bell / saturation diver with no in-water saturation diver training certificate)
Appendix D – Experience statement (Closed bell / saturation diver with in-water saturation diver training qualification)
Appendix E – Experience statement (Life support technician)
Revision
-
Rev. - January 2026initial publication