What Makes ITDA-IHMP Different?

Most diving certification agencies issue your card and send you on your way. ITDA-IHMP does something unique: we pair our certification system with an International Club System — a community-based model that brings divers together locally while maintaining global standards.

It is the only international body that includes this kind of club structure. The result? You dive locally, but your credentials and your community are recognised internationally.

How the Club System Works

The club system is structured in four tiers, connecting your local dive group to a worldwide network:

1. Local Club — Community-based dive clubs meeting regularly for dives, training, and social events. This is where the magic happens: like-minded divers getting in the water together.
2. Regional Network — Clubs within a region share resources, organise joint events, and support inter-club activities. Your local club is never isolated.
3. National Body — National coordination ensures consistent standards and organises national events and competitions.
4. International — ITDA-IHMP HQ connects clubs worldwide, enabling international exchanges and global recognition of your achievements.

A Club for Every Diver

Not all clubs are the same. The ITDA-IHMP system supports several types:

• Community Clubs — Open to all divers in a local area, with regular dives and social activities. The heart of the system.
• University & Student Clubs — Introducing the next generation of divers, with academic credit pathways via ITDA Academy.
• Resort & Dive Center Clubs — Affiliated with training partner facilities, offering club activities alongside certification courses.
• Technical & Specialist Clubs — Focused on technical diving, underwater photography, conservation, or professional development.

Benefits Beyond Certification

A certification card proves you can dive. A club membership gives you a reason to keep diving. Here is what club members enjoy:

• Community — A local group of like-minded divers with organised dives, social events, and mentoring.
• Local & Regional Access — Clubs operate regionally with access to ITDA-IHMP training partners and facilities.
• Recognition & Awards — Club achievement pathways and diver recognition programs unique to the ITDA-IHMP system.
• Safer Diving Culture — A supportive, safety-first community that reinforces training standards in every dive.
• Organised Activities — Regular club dives, training sessions, trips, and skill-development workshops.
• Member Perks — Course discounts, gear offers, and partner benefits through the club network.

What Do Clubs Actually Do?

Club activities go far beyond just showing up to dive:

• Organised shore and boat dives with experienced dive leaders
• Skill-development workshops — buoyancy, navigation, rescue, photography
• Specialty taster sessions — Nitrox, wreck, deep, DPV, and more
• Inter-club competitions and challenge events
• Conservation and citizen-science projects — reef surveys, underwater clean-ups
• Social events, dive trips, and international exchange opportunities
• Mentoring programs pairing newer divers with experienced members
• Access to shared club equipment and resources

How to Get Involved

Join an Existing Club

1. Find a Club — Use our Find a Partner tool to locate an ITDA-IHMP-affiliated club or training partner near you.
2. Contact the Club — Reach out to the club organiser to learn about meeting schedules, membership fees, and upcoming activities.
3. Join & Dive In — Complete your club membership and start participating in dives, training, and social events right away.

Start a New Club

Want to build a club from scratch? Here's what you need:

• Gather a minimum of 5 certified divers interested in forming a club
• Identify a club leader (Dive Leader or above) to coordinate activities
• Apply for ITDA-IHMP club affiliation through your regional training partner
• Receive your club charter, access to materials, and listing in the international directory
• Begin organising dives, training sessions, and social events

Dive Locally, Certified Internationally

The ITDA-IHMP Club System is more than a membership perk — it is a philosophy. We believe diving is better when it is shared, when standards are reinforced by community, and when your local dive group is part of something global.

Whether you are a newly certified Open Water Diver or a seasoned technical diver, there is a place for you in the club system.

Ready to get started? Explore the Club System page, find a training partner, or view membership plans to join ITDA-IHMP today.