About IDU
Safety, Quality, Experience of diving education — the foundation of everything we do since 2017.
One Union.
One Standard.
International Divers Union was founded in 2017 and brings together thousands of divers around the world. IDU is a global diving agency dedicated to developing ISO-compliant diving standards, publishing educational materials, training instructors, and registering certified divers and completed diving courses.
The Main Goals
- Unite divers who want to learn and dive based on the principles of safety.
- Development and promotion of diving training programs in accordance with international standards ISO.
- Training of self-sufficient divers with good diving safety and self-rescue skills.
- High requirements for the level of acquired skills for the training of both divers and instructors.
- Activities to defend, conserve and protect our ocean ecosystems.
- Activities to explore underwater historical objects.
IDU Updates
Instructor Membership Fees Waived
Due to the difficult economic situation in the diving industry, the IDU abolished all instructor and instructor-trainer membership fees in 2020, 2021 and 2022. IDU remains committed to supporting its global instructor community.
IDU Supports a Plastic-Free Ocean
IDU actively supports international environmental programmes aimed at protecting our oceans and combating plastic pollution. In line with this commitment, plastic diver certification cards are issued only upon special request and demonstrated necessity. IDU promotes a fully digital certification system — electronic certificates are issued and delivered immediately after course registration. IDU operates its own online certification verification service for instant identification and validation of diver credentials.
Diving Courses
IDU offers a comprehensive range of diving courses for all levels — from first-time divers to elite technical and professional instructors. All programs comply with international ISO diving standards.
| Level / Category | Courses |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | Supervised Diver Open Water Diver |
| Specialty Courses | Night Dive & Low Visibility Diver Underwater Navigation Diver Perfect Buoyancy Control Diver Deep Diver Dry Suit Diver Ice Diver Drift Diver |
| Advanced | Advanced Adventure Open Water Diver |
| Rescue & First Aid | Emergency First Aid Diver Rescue Diver |
| Professional | Self-Reliant Diver Divemaster Assistant Instructor OWD Instructor |
Fundamental TECH Diver
Cavern Diver
| Level | TECH Diver | CCR Diver | CAVE Diver | Sidemount Diver | WRECK Diver |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TECH-1 Diver | CCR-1 Diver | CAVE-1 Diver | TECH-1 Sidemount Diver | WRECK Diver |
| 2 | TECH-2 Diver | CCR-2 Diver | CAVE-2 Diver | TECH-2 Sidemount Diver | TECH WRECK Diver |
| 3 | TECH-3 Diver | CCR-3 Diver | TECH CAVE Diver | TECH-3 Sidemount Diver | — |
Protecting
Our Oceans
IDU is committed to the conservation and protection of the world's underwater environments. Every diver trained under IDU standards learns to respect and preserve the marine ecosystems they explore.
IDU supports international environmental programmes dedicated to reducing plastic pollution in our oceans. As part of this commitment, IDU has adopted a digital-first certification policy — eliminating unnecessary plastic production in diver certification wherever possible.
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Join the IDU
Community
Start your diving journey with IDU — from your first open water course to professional instructor certification. Find an IDU diving school near you.