Description: The Irish Underwater Council was founded 40 years ago to organise and promote sport scuba diving and snorkelling in Ireland. At the time there were six clubs and the sport has expanded over the years to the extent that there are 86 clubs today distributed all over Ireland.
The council is administered by an Executive Committee comprising the directors of the organisation who are assisted by four commissions: Technical, Medical, Sporting & Scientific.
The Technical Commission is comprised of senior instructors and sets the standards and tests for diving in Ireland. The qualifications awarded are recognised internationally through their equivalence with CMAS grades. This allows the qualifications and experience of Irish divers trained by CFT to be recognised worldwide.
The Medical Commission is comprised of doctors expert in diving who advise on medical tests applied to divers before they commence diving as well as keeping up to date with latest developments in hyperbaric medicine. They advise on medical conditions likely to prevent a person enjoying scuba diving such as asthma, lung damage, cardiac problems and ear problems.
The Sporting Commission organises the national gala , the junior gala, underwater orienteering, snorkel races, Underwater hockey (Octapush) and underwater rugby. Underwater photography is also an aspect of sport diving.
The scientific commission promotes underwater biology and archaeology by organising courses on marine identification and co-operating with the Nautical Archaeology Society and the Irish Maritime Archaeology Society.
Irish scuba divers are active in their community and voluntarily man the recompression chamber in Galway, provide teams for underwater searches when requested and provide rescue cover for water events like the Liffey descent by canoe. CFT divers have assisted the national museum by carrying out surveys at underwater archaeological sites.
SNORKELLING IN IRELAND
Snorkelling is an enjoyable activity in its own right and often leads on to scuba diving. It is enjoyed by all ages as even the younger children can participate. Each year a Snorkel Camp is organised as a week long feast of fun at an idyllic location.
UNDERWATER ACTIVITY FOR ALL
The Irish Underwater Council is committed to a policy of availability of underwater activity for people challenged by a variety of impediments. A small number of clubs exist for those with serious disabilities. The nature of diving makes it suitable for people who cannot engage in other sports. Special arrangements are in place to open the sport to all by arranging activities through scouts, transition years and community groups.
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