Comhairle Fo-Thuinn

Organisation

CFT organises and promotes recreational scuba diving and snorkelling via a club system. It is administered by an executive committee is supported by the following four commissions: a Technical Commission which sets standards and tests for diving courses offered by its member clubs; a Medical Commission which advises on diving medical standards, treatment of diving medical conditions and monitors developments in hyperbaric medicine; a Sporting Commission which organises underwater sports, photography and an event known as the national gala; and a Scientific Commission which promotes underwater biology and archaeology. Its membership consists of both clubs and individuals which as of 2004 respectively totalled 3,000 and 84. While the majority of its activities are in the Republic of Ireland, a small number of members and clubs are located in Northern Ireland. It is incorporated as a Guarantee Company Without Share Capital under the name 'Comhairle Fo-Thuinn – Irish Underwater Council'.

Recognition

CFT is recognised by the Irish Sports Council as the national governing body for recreational diving and underwater sports in the Republic of Ireland. It is the Irish representative to Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques with affiliations to the Sports, Technical and Scientific Committees. It is also a member of CMAS Europe and the European Underwater Federation. CFT is both a supporter and a member of the National Steering Group of the Marine Conservation Society-co-ordinated Seasearch program which seeks to 'gather information on seabed habitats and associated marine wildlife in Britain and Ireland through the participation of volunteer recreational divers'.

Underwater sports

As of October 2013, underwater hockey is the only underwater sport supported by CFT. The CFT oversees competition between clubs and the national team.

In the 2022 UWH Celtic Cup competition, the Irish A Team came 4th and the B Team finished 3rd.

Qualifications

The CFT training program which is delivered by instructors based within its member clubs was structured as follows as of January 2013.

Snorkel grades

• Snorkel Skills One
• Snorkel Skills Two
• Snorkel Guide

Scuba diver grades

• Diver 1 Star
• Diver 2 Star
• Rescue Diver
• Leading Diver
• National Diver

Instructor grades

• Snorkel Instructor
• Instructor
• Examiner
• Leading Instructor
• National Instructor

Speciality grades

• Nitrox diver
• Diver First Responder (PHECC Cardiac First Responder)
• Diver Coxswain
• Advanced Nitrox Diver

Speciality grades

• Extended Range Diver
• Seasearch Diver
• Search & Recovery Diver
• Underwater Photographer Diver

CMAS equivalencies

The following equivalencies were those in place as of January 2013.

EUF certification

The CFT obtained CEN certification from the EUF certification body in 2006.

References

References

1. "Irish Underwater Council- Comhairle Fo Thuinn (CFT)". Marine Institute.
2. "Join a Club". Comhairle Fo-Thuinn.
3. "Irish Company Name: Comhairle Fo-Thuinn – Irish Underwater Council". Vision-net.ie.
4. "Underwater Sport". Irish Sports Council (An Chomhairle Spoirt).
5. "Comhairle Fo-Thuinn". Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques.
6. "Les pays membres". CMAS Europe.
7. "non-profit distributing members". European Underwater Federation.
8. "National Seasearch Project Aim and Objectives". Seasearch c/o Marine Conservation Society.
9. "Who is Involved?". Seasearch c/o Marine Conservation Society.
10. "Underwater Hockey". CFT.
11. "Underwater Hockey Wales on Instagram: "Some photos from yesterday's inaugural Celtic Cup where we had both our a and B teams competing. We would like to thank our sponsors of Milford Haven Port Authority, @parfittscarpets, Bentfish Design and @merrows.shop for supporting us in hosting yesterday's Celtic Cup tournament. See you next year!@underwaterhockeyireland @scottishuwh #underwaterhockey #octopush #celticnations #walessport"".
12. "Snorkelling Courses". Comhairle Fo-Thuinn.
13. "Diving Courses". Comhairle Fo-Thuinn.
14. . ["Diving courses"](http://diving.ie/scuba-diving/our-courses/). *CFT*.
15. "EUF Certified Training Systems/Training Organisations". EUF Certification International.