MODIFICATION OF PADI / FFESSM BRIDGES

On our last Le Mag, we echoed the removal of the PADI / FFESSM gateways. It is clear that the FFESSM does not share the vision of PADI, as one might expect ...

Here is, finally, the position of the “Fédé” on this subject:

”A letter from PADI dated April 13, 2015, which spread on the net and on the forums, caused some confusion. 
What exactly is it?

A few years ago, the two entities PADI and FFESSM negotiated a system of bridges between levels 1, levels 2 and levels 3 FFESSM on the one hand, and various open water, advanced and rescue various on the other hand.
It was by no means a system of equivalences, but a bridge structure between the two certification systems.

The interest was twofold:

- install a system of recognition by the FFESSM of all or part of the skills or components of certain certificates or diving qualifications issued by PADI. 
- install a system of recognition by PADI of all or part of the skills or components of certain diving certificates issued by the FFESSM.

Now PADI has just decided, unilaterally and without consultation with the FFESSM, to remove the gateways.

In fact, what PADI has removed are the gateways allowing to pass from levels 1 or 2 or 3 of the FFESSM to the PADI certificates.
Which is a shame for divers, but which has no impact on our policy of openness in this area, for the benefit of divers.

Indeed: PADI gateways toward FFESSM remain unchanged. “

We are finally better informed ...

Downloadable documents:

- letter from PADI to FFESSM dated April 13, 2015 
- letter from FFESSM to PADI, dated May 20, 2015

References :

- Charter signed by the FFESSM and by PADI on October 1, 2001 in Antibes (France)
- Agreement signed by the FFESSM and by PADI on July 8, 2002 in Niolon (France)
- Decision to update the said Convention, taken in Zürich (Switzerland) on Tuesday May 17, 2005 then decision of the National Steering Committee of the FFESSM on June 19, 2005 in Vitrolles (France).

source: http://www.ffessm.fr/