Background
The Israeli Diving Federation (TIDF) is a registered non-profit organization, uniting thousands of diving members. The Israeli Diving Federation is active in varied fields. To date it has scuttled 10 vessels to serve as dive sites, and has contributed to the creation of various other dive sites such as submerged underwater archaeological theme parks, the Sculpture Garden in Eilat, and more. TIDF is active in various “green” bodies dedicated to conservation of the underwater environment, the Coral Reef, and natural as well as man-made dive sites along the coasts of Israel. The Training Department of TIDF develops new training materials for all levels of diving.
The Israeli Diving Federation certifications are respected and recognized worldwide. The Training Department of TIDF develops new training materials for all levels of diving. The Israeli Dive Federation is invests much resources in SCUBA diving activities for teenage divers, including at-risk teenagers.
In 2001, the Federation of Underwater Sports was created within the framework of TIDF. The Federation is involved with various sports such as aquathlon (underwater wrestling), underwater swimming, orienteering, underwater hockey and more. The Federations’ athletes, mostly teenagers, participate in international competitions, reaping considerable achievements.
The Israeli Diving Federation was founded in 1966 by dive instructors, Israeli Navy veterans and members of the Society for Underwater Archaeology. During the 1970’s TIDF was active in establishing the sport of SCUBA diving in Israel and began holding regular instructor training courses. The dive scene at the time was small and familiar. This period was marked by a carefree attitude which contributed to a proliferation of dive accidents, mostly on the shores of the Red Sea in the Sinai Peninsula. At the outset of the decade, diving in the Sinai Peninsula (then controlled by Israel) was first regulated. Towards the end of the decade the Recreational Dive Law was completed and passed, and The Israeli Dive Federation was designated as the authority charged with enforcing this law, a role which it fulfilled, intermittently, until 1997.
The 1980’s were characterized by the institutionalization of dive instruction and safety protocols, and recognition of the different levels of certification. The number of TIDF members grew from several hundred into the thousands, and the Dive Binder was first published, establishing the different standards and lesson plans.
The 1990’s were the heyday of SCUBA diving in Israel. Each year over 10,000 divers, local and foreign, were certified to different levels. Many dive shops were opened and diving became a profitable, booming industry. Towards the close of the decade several international dive agencies opened up offices in Israel and TIDF lost its position as the exclusive diver certifying body in Israel, although many divers still opted for TIDF classes and their high standards and uncompromising safety.
In the last decade TIDF had to adjust to operating in a field full of competitors, many of them present locally for only a few years. TIDF has decided to emphasize its unique position as an Israeli training body, investing in producing high quality literature and training materials in Hebrew. In mid-decade TIDF launched a Technical Diver training program encompassing all levels of tech diving, created by the top professionals in the field. At the same time, TIDF continued holding conferences and professional events for divers and dive instructors.
During the current decade TIDF has continued with the tradition of holding the yearly “Trophy of the Deep” in Eilat, as well as numerous other diver competitions, events and conferences. Beach cleaning and ocean conservation activities have been have continued to develop in cooperation with other organizations. New training materials have been produced for rebreathers and SCUBA diving for the disabled, as well programs for active preservation of the aquatic environment. Many resources have been invested in upgrading the services offered to divers and dive shops, as well as in bringing training materials up to date.
Goals
of the Non-Profit Organization: Develop, support, oversee and organize aquatic activities of all pursuits, including research, training, diving and photography. To provide a national framework for Israeli organizations dealing with underwater activities, and to represent Israel in these disciplines locally and abroad.
* The “Jewfish” logo (as well as the illustration at the top of this page) were created by the artist Shlomo Cohen.