IADP Project
IADP v5
IADP v5 is the current development phase of the International Association of Dive Professionals. It is focused on building a strong, independent, and democratic structure for the global diving profession.
This includes preparing the association for its first full democratic elections in October 2027, strengthening representation, and developing the systems and services that give dive professionals real support and a collective voice.
Why this matters
Dive professionals work in a fragmented industry with limited representation and too little structural protection. IADP v5 is about changing that by building an independent body that can support professionals, defend standards, and create long-term legitimacy for the profession itself.
Institutional restructuring
IADP v5 includes the practical restructuring of the association itself: relocating the headquarters to the Cité des Associations in Brussels, updating the Articles of Association, and strengthening the legal and organizational foundation.
Member services
The project is laying the groundwork for practical services that matter: professional guidance, structured resources, support mechanisms, and tools that go beyond symbolic membership.
Legal support and protection
Development of legal support frameworks and protective structures to help professionals navigate disputes, unfair practices, and operational vulnerability.
Standards and accountability
Improving transparency across the sector, including mechanisms to flag unethical or harmful operators and reinforce responsible professional conduct.
Sector Development
Building services and representation across the profession
IADP v5 is focused on developing meaningful services and stronger representation for dive professionals across all sectors. The objective is to move beyond fragmented structures and create a professional body that supports the full spectrum of underwater work and related industries.
How this strengthens the profession
IADP v5 builds the institutional backbone of an independent professional body for diving. It supports the work required to move from vision to structure: governance, communications, participation systems, and member-facing services.
In practical terms, this is how the profession begins to define and manage its own future, rather than relying on external commercial or fragmented interests.
Core focus areas
- Institutional restructuring and legal framework
- Development of meaningful member services
- Legal support and professional protection
- Improved standards and sector accountability
Recreational diving and training
Representing instructors, guides, dive centers, resorts, liveaboards, freelance professionals, and technical diving within the broader recreational and training sector.
Commercial and industrial operations
Including offshore, civil engineering, inspection, salvage, construction, and other professional underwater operations in commercial and industrial environments.
Scientific, environmental, and restoration work
Supporting research divers, monitoring teams, conservation field operators, restoration initiatives, and professionals working in marine science and environmental recovery.
Public safety and military diving
Extending representation to police, rescue and recovery units, fire brigade divers, naval divers, military specialists, and related operational personnel.
Media, manufacturing, trade, and support infrastructure
Covering underwater media professionals, journalists, manufacturers, product developers, retailers, dive technicians, gas blenders, vessel crew, and operational managers.
Sports, performance, and public engagement
Including freediving athletes, underwater sports practitioners, performers, stunt divers, and other professionals working at the intersection of diving, sport, and public visibility.