The International Diving Educators Association (IDEA)
IDEA was originally established in 1952 as part of the Florida Skin Divers Association, which later became Florida Scuba Divers Association (FSDA). FSDA was and still is a large group of politically active Florida Dive Clubs and has been the voice of the diver in this part of the world since 1952. In the early days, as in many other countries, Instructor certification and training was handled by scuba training committees. As FSDA grew, so did the Scuba Training Committee and spread throughout the continental United States.  By 1978, there were more IDEA instructors outside the States than there were within and many operated from widespread military bases with instructors belonging to many different branches. In a short period of time these instructors had moved to the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Aruba, Jamaica, Bermuda, the Antilles, Barbados and South America. Independent instructors had also spread to many parts of the world. Committee members of the original Scuba Training Committee decided that they had outgrown FSDA and a new name, a new logo and a new direction was forthcoming. In February of 1978, the members voted to expand the Scuba Training Committee to an International Certification Agency, based upon the same principles as the original committee. The International Diving Educators Association (IDEA)  was officially formed.

In 1979  IDEA reorganised
IDEA made its first International appearance as a member of the Diving Equipment Manufacturers Association (DEMA) in Las Vegas in 1980. This charter membership has been maintained with IDEA still presenting and displaying products and services at the DEMA show each year.

Rapid international growth
During the last few years IDEA has grown tremendously and one can find instructors in all the United States as well as over 40 foreign countries and all of the United States.  Currently IDEA is recognised as the fourth largest certification agency world wide. IDEA has held this position in the global diving industry since 1996.

IDEA and RSTC
In 1987, the majority of the international diving certification agencies (IDEA, NASDS, PADI, PDIC, SSI) agreed to form a not-for-profit agency, known as the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC). Membership affords members a method to develop standards and to monitor quality control for the mutual benefit of the recreational diving industry and the general public. IDEA is proud to be a Charter Member of the RSTC and is currently represented by an Executive member. Affiliated Training Councils have been formed in many countries and are largely responsible for the excellent safety record that the diving industry enjoys. IDEA Europe is member of RSTC Europe.

IDEA and Universal Referral Program
The Universal Referral Program was developed in 1998 through the cooperative efforts of IDEA, NASDS, NAUI, PDIC, SSI and YMCA for the benefit of the scuba diving industry. The customer is the most important part of any business. Good businesses give customers what they want with quality. Simplifying the referral process, eliminating problems, and providing quality referral training makes learning to dive easier and more appealing. The Universal Referral Program was created to ensure customer satisfaction. A satisfied customer is good for diving.

IDEA International Headquarters

• IDEA Headquarters:   Jacksonville, Florida USA

• IDEA Europe and Africa:   Rome, Italy

• IDEA Japan:  Osaka, Japan

• IDEA Okinawa:  Naha City, Okinawa

• IDEA Asia: Ulsan City, Korea

• IDEA Latin America: Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela

• IDEA SPANZ (South Pacific): Australia and New Zealand

In 1992 the first Headquarters in Europe was established in Italy and named IDEA Italy. In 1995 the Italian Headquarters became the European Headquarters and IDEA Europe was born, to serve all Europe and Africa, as well as countries in the Asian continent close to Europe.
IDEA Europe has developed an excellent scuba training program, from the Introductory course to the Instructor Trainer course, with books, colour slides and videos, in English, Italian, French, German and Spanish.