The Organisation International Aquanautic Club (IAC)
The International Aquanautic Club is abbreviated as IAC and designated as “i.a.c.” in its own spelling. For a long time the name was Barakuda, a change followed in 2012 though. The international diving organisation is based in Essen and offers diving as well as dive instructor training. Its range is topped off with a travel agency, whose services can be used.
The basis for the foundation of the IAC was the Barakuda Gesellschaft für Wassersport Ristau & Co. (Barracuda Society for Water Sport Ristau & Cie.). The company was set up in 1949 and in the first few years it became known for the manufacturing and sale of fins used in sport. In addition, its involvement in the establishment of the VDST, the Association of German Scuba Divers, is well-known. Then in 1954, the first diving school abroad was opened with the help of Barakuda. In 1987, the acquisition by Metzeler took place and the cessation of diving equipment production was effected.
After opening the first diving school abroad in Porto Azzurro, the Barakuda-Club-Corfu was founded. In 1969, the opening of the first officially-recognised training schools took place in Germany, which were in charge of training diving instructors. In 1987, the Balzer family took over the scuba diving organisation and the renaming as the Barakuda International Aquanautic Club occurred. By 2008, the club had evolved into the largest diving organisation with commercial background in Germany. In 2012, it was renamed as IAC.
The EUF certified system is the basis of the work at IAC.
Courses offered by the International Aquanautic Club (IAC)
Introductory Courses
IAC Basic Diver (Supervised Diver in accordance with ISO 24801-1:2007 and EN 14153-1:2003)
Beginners’ Courses
Open Water Diver
Open Water Diver is the course for starting the diving experience. All important basics for scuba diving are taught.
Procedure: In the theoretical training, the basics regarding equipment, the physics of diving as well as medicine and first aid are conveyed. This is followed by training with diving hours in the pool and open water, which deals with learning about fitting the equipment, buoyancy and pressure compensation.
Requirements: Before the course, proof of swimming skills as well as an optimal health condition must be presented.
Minimum age: 14 Years
ISO-C: Autonomous Diver in accordance with ISO 24801-2:2007 and EN 14153-2:2003
Advanced Adventure Diver
CMAS*
Advanced Courses
Advanced Open Water Diver
The Advanced Open Water Diver is a course for further training in diving. On the basis of four special courses, participants can improve their diving skills here.
Procedure: In the theoretical as well as the practical training, the knowledge of the obligatory courses, orientation and group leadership, is imparted. In addition, participants have the possibility to choose two more courses optionally.
Requirements: Proof of a successfully completed OWD or a CMAS* Certificate must be presented.
Minimum age: 15 Years
ISO-Certification: /
CMAS**
Master Diver
Special Courses
Orientation
Group leadership
Night diving
Diving safety & rescue
Current diving
Wreck diving
Computer diving
Dry-suit diving
Deep diving
Ice diving
Mountain lake diving
Search & Recovery
AED-PAD
Breathing technique
Equipment & Technology
Boat diving
Decompression
Digital UW-Photography
Family Dive Leader
River diving
CPR-O2-Management
Sidemount Diving
Oceanology
Snorkelling
Scooter
Seamanship
Buoyancy
Full face mask
Family Diver
Shark Diver
Nitrox Advanced
Archaeology
Diving respecting the guidelines for historical monuments
Equipment
Gas blender Trimix
Gas blender Nitrox
Ocean Cavern Driver
Technology
UW-Naturalist
UW-Environmental protection
Sailing & Diving
Refresher
Group leadership
Pool Indoor Diver
Professional Sector
Dive Leader (Dive Leader in accordance with ISO 24801-3:2007 and EN 14153-3:2003)
IAC Basic Instructor (Instructor Level One in accordance with ISO 24802-1:2007 and EN 14413-1:2004)
Open Water Instructor TL1 (Instructor Level Two in accordance with ISO 24802-2:2007 and EN 14413-2:2004)
Nitrox Basic (Nitrox in accordance with ISO 11107:2009)
Dive Leader Professional
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