Making Scuba-diving accesible for the disabled

Level 1: Diver may dive with any other certified diver.

Level 2: Diver must dive with 2 adult certified divers of whom one has completed the IAHD Dive Partner Training.

Level 3: Diver must dive with 3 adult certified divers of whom at least one must have completed the IAHD Pro-Training.

Since 1993 IAHD professionals are leaders in teaching people with various disabilities to dive and certifying them as well. IAHD uses a multi-level certification system, where the safety of the disabled diver and fellow divers are the main focus.

Students will learn theory from the books provided by the instructor and have to do exercises, like any other student. Where it differs is when certain training exercises cannot be completed in a way the ‘regular' training agencies set their standards. We, however, will teach you training techniques that enables a disabled person to do exercises on a alternative (safe!) way. For instance: somebody who is visual impaired would not be able to read his/her pressure gauge. Alternative ways will be practised, in order to be able to dive safely. Additionally, many times (disabled) students take the same class as able-bodied students and (not rarely) perform even better!!

To be able to certify a person that uses this alternative technique, IAHD has a multi-level certification system. The instructor will assess the diving ability of the (disabled) student during training.