IDDA NEWS
Our Statement
Public Statement by IDDA GmbH on the OLG Hamm Decision and the Current Situation within RSTC Europe
Bremen, June 24, 2025
On June 14, 2025, the Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht) of Hamm issued a decision stating clearly and unequivocally that the exclusion of IDDA GmbH from RSTC Europe was unlawful – both procedurally and substantively, due to the lack of valid grounds. The court ordered the RSTC to fully restore all membership rights to IDDA GmbH.
The court emphasized, among other points:
“The exclusion of the applicant [IDDA] from the respondent [RSTC] is already invalid due to procedural deficiencies. (…) The applicant was neither heard nor granted the right to be heard. (…) The allegations raised against it are, overall, vague and unsubstantiated.”
Furthermore, the court stated:
“Even if the allegations were factually correct, they would not justify an exclusion.”
The decision was based on a thorough written review, including a formal statement submitted by the RSTC. The court deemed an oral hearing unnecessary, given the clarity of both the legal and factual situation.
Our Position
IDDA GmbH stands for transparency, fairness, and the positive development of recreational diving.
We value the commitment of our many partners, instructors, and dive operators – regardless of their organizational affiliation.
We are aware that the diving industry encompasses diverse views and interests.
Our aim is not to discredit, but to critically – and constructively – examine structural conditions where necessary.
What Has Happened – and Why We Are Now Speaking Publicly
Since the court’s ruling, the following must be clearly stated:
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IDDA GmbH is a member of RSTC Europe – with full rights.
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The RSTC has, to this day, not issued a public correction.
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Outdated or inaccurate claims about our membership status continue to circulate on social media.
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A proposal by IDDA GmbH to resolve the matter amicably and without public escalation was rejected by the RSTC.
We now feel compelled to provide clarity ourselves – not to divide, but to rebuild trust.
A Call to All Stakeholders
Structures like the RSTC play an important role in the global diving community.
They deserve trust – and that trust requires independence, care, and accountability.
We remain hopeful for a constructive future in dialogue – for the good of the diving industry, the professionals who support it, and the divers it serves.
The full decision of the OLG Hamm you find below.
With kind regards,
Lukas Dehne
CEO, IDDA GmbH
Are you interested in diving? Discover a whole new world under the water surface and dive into adventurous experiences.
What do we do?
We are an internationally recognized diving association which offers RSTC certified diving licenses and teaching materials. However, we are much more than just the “license center of diving”.
We cooperate with dive centers and instructors in all business aspects and offer support in all areas that the sport of diving and the entire management behind it entails. We help with equipment, building a presence (online as well as offline) and all other problems that may arise in the course.
Close contact and honest cooperation is very important to us, so that we can respond individually to all needs. Feel free to contact us, so we can see if IDDA fits into your base or course design!
Unsere Mission
No important people are described here, because you are the most important to us. Everyone has his strengths and to use them correctly is our strength. Our motivated team, which is always supplemented, takes care that we provide a good service as a partner of diving and support you in the best possible way.
We are fully aware of our responsibility and therefore we do more and take care of our customers, instructors and centers on a high level.
We love diving and dealing with people and you will quickly see that in every IDDA member.
We hope you find yourself in these words and of course we welcome you.
Outstanding pricing policy
Through our attractive pricing policy, we ensure partnerships from which all sides benefit
RSTC Member
We are a member of the RSTC, which means that our certification and teaching materials are recognized worldwide.
No contractual commitment
We refrain from any contractual commitment in order to promote flexibility and honesty
Digital structures
Goodbye bureaucracy! All our certification and teaching materials are also available digitally in many different languages.
Support in every area
We can not only provide teaching materials and brevets, but also help out in all other entrepreneurial activities
inclusive diving
We enable everyone to dive, even affected! Inclusion is very important to us
Service is a popular word to advertise one’s own cause, only to really put it into practice requires a great willingness to invest money and above all time.
We at IDDA are of the opinion that a diving organization must do more than just provide an advertising presence and training material.
Therefore, with full conviction, we set a high standard for ourselves and offer a significantly expanded service:
-We are available 365 days a year
-Free business consulting
-Commission goods for our partners
-Huge rental pool of diving equipment
-Favorable trade fair presentation for partners on our booths
-Lot goods at unbelievable low prices
-Further training according to BGU first aid and lifeguard
and some more relevant points but very important for us is a good, positive and honest community.
The list are not empty words, but the standard to ourselves and consequently healthy IDDA partners at our side.
Every diver can therefore visit an IDDA college and be sure that he will be well looked after there.