Scuba diving requires training in biology, physiology of the human body, physics, equipment and techniques. Courses and courses that vary by place of study, metropolitan France and foreign or foreign country. FFESSM in France, PADI abroad… Here are our tips and answers to your diving certification questions.
How to get a scuba diving license in France?
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Association clubs and trade clubs affiliated with the French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports (FFESSM), the National Association of Diving Instructors (ANMP) or the Federation of Sports and Work Gymnastics (FSGT) and the UCPA issue scuba diving diplomas.
Good to know. the levels achieved benefit from the international equivalent given by the World Confederation of Underwater Activities (CMAS), which allows diving abroad.
Our advice: take a baptism in the sea (-6 m) or in a pool to get an idea of what awaits you under water.
WHO CAN VISIT, AT WHAT AGE, UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS?
Minimum 8 years (FFESSM).
No restrictions for the ANMP, which explains that children can “access an adapted form of diving that would, however, be far removed from the classical practice of adults”.
Good to know. Children’s diving is very specific in terms of duration and depth.
As for the maximum age, there is none. Albert Falcone, the legendary captain of the Calypso, still happily descended to 60 meters at almost 80 years of age. Everything depends on the form of each diver and his wishes, motor disability is not an obstacle in any way. You want to start at 60, why not?
A CACI medical certificate of no contraindications to underwater activity is required to start training. A doctor can give it. This certificate, which is not intended to be reimbursed by CPAM, must conform to this model.
Our advice: If you have doubts or have a specific problem (controlled asthma, recurrent ear infections, etc.), do not hesitate to consult a diving doctor. He will be able to carry out all the necessary checks (ENT field, cardiovascular exercises, etc.).
HOW DOES FFESSM TRAINING WORK?
You’re on vacation and decide to start training in an Approved Commercial Facility (SCA) by the beach or lake. It takes about a week. You have an association club near your home that offers pool and/or pit training all year round while staying in a natural environment (mine, lake, sea).
Our opinion. The Associate Club allows for regular physical training in the pool, group involvement and advanced training.
WHAT ARE THE FRENCH VACATION DIVE LEVELS?
They are characterized by the maximum depths to which the diver is authorized to go and whether he can do so supervised or unsupervised.
- Level I: (20 m, framed). Minimum age: 12 years.
- Level II: (autonomous 20 m, control 40 m). Minimum age: 16 years.
- Level III: (autonomous 40 m, with dive director 60 m). Minimum age: 18 years. Hold the RIFAP, Diploma in Underwater Accident Response and Intervention.
Our advice: Wanting to chain levels at TGV speed makes no sense. You need to be patient, gain experience and maturity. Mastery of buoyancy in particular takes training and practice. Then the transition of levels is done in a completely natural way, when ease is achieved in the allowed depths (20 m, then 40).
WHAT IS THE PRICE OF A SURKI CERTIFICATE IN FRANCE?
By association (training for one year in the pool/pit): Club Aquadôme in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (78), €227 (under 16), €363. Individual additional insurance. Levels must be validated in a natural environment (dives and trips not included in the annual subscription).
In a commercial building (one week). At Bulles Plongée, Palavas-les-Flots (34). Level I: 375 euros. Level II: 620 EUR. Level III: €720. RIFAP: €150.
How to get a scuba diving diploma abroad?
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Even if there are 50 French federal centers in 20 countries (Alysés Plongée in Egypt), it is likely that the training offered to you abroad will be from PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) or SSI (Scuba Schools International). These two American-born schools offer nearly identical training and licenses that are recognized around the world. With 4,300 dive centers in 175 countries, PADI dominates the market. His strength? Its system consists of identical standardized modules from Egypt to Thailand, the Bahamas to Australia.
WHO CAN VISIT, AT WHAT AGE, UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS?
PADI considers diving “recreational”. The idea is that everyone, regardless of age, build, athletic or less athletic… can enjoy diving, starting at age 8, within the Bubblemaker franchise and without any upper age limit.
Our advice: PADI centers strive to offer courses in multiple languages regardless of country of establishment. If there isn’t a French-speaking instructor, just avoid the English or Spanish course if you don’t understand all the terms. Diving uses special vocabulary, technical words (equipment, physics) that you really need to understand in order to fully grasp everything that needs to be done.
For example in English. BCD = Buoyancy Control Device = Buoyancy Vest. Nitrogen = Nitrogen. Controller ”reg” = controller. Octopus = emergency regulator. Buddy = couple.
WHAT ARE THE LEVELS OF PADI DIVING?
PADI guides its divers toward independence. The goal is for divers to be responsible for each other and be able to manage in all circumstances. The dive takes place in a safety curve with no decompression stops.
Depending on the country and centers, a medical certificate of no contraindications and/or a liability waiver may be required.
- Open water diver (OWD): 12 years and older. Lays the foundations of knowledge of physics, biology and physiology. Autonomy 18 m.
- Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD): 14 years and up. Autonomy 30 m.
PADI then offers paid specialties: wrecks, orienteering, deep diving, photography, biology, decompression.
Our opinion. The PADI system is extremely fun and suitable for everyone. The nitrox (enriched air) profession is interesting because diving with compressed air, which contains less nitrogen, limits the risk of decompression sickness (DDA).
WHAT DOES A DIVING CERTIFICATE COST?
In Safaga, Egypt, 3 Turtle Center: OWD: €500. AOWD: €400.
Nitrox training: 120 euros.
Note that some centers in France offer PADI/SSI courses.
NEED INSURED FOR DIVING OUTSIDE?
In France, scuba diving is regulated by the sports code. As the diving director (DP) is a criminal liability, the clubs are necessarily insured. Abroad it is more random.
Our advice: whichever country you go to, take your special diving insurance (€42 to €92). DAN International pays for decompression chamber hours, medical evacuation by medical plane, and repatriation. It provides a certificate in credit card format.
Which diving certificate to choose?
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It all depends on what kind of diver you become: a thoughtful traveler, a photographer, a non-athlete who loves shallow tropical waters. Choose PADI. Fascinated by Breton ruins and diving in Iceland in winter? Choose a federal course.
IN THE VIDEO – Australia. a damaged manta ray is helped by divers
Source: Le Figaro
I’m Ashley Mark, a news website author for Buna Times. I specialize in writing articles about current trends and breaking news stories. With my passion for uncovering the truth behind every story, I strive to bring readers the most up-to-date information available.