PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) training, developed in the United States, is more suitable for diver-travelers
because they are better recognized in the world, including in the countries
more remote.
The training is standardized. You can chain them during your travels,
passing for example your Open Water Diver in Marseille, your Advanced in Bali and your Diving specialty on
Wrecks in Egypt.
Your levels will be recognized the same way or wherever you go.
On the other hand, in France they will give you fewer possibilities than the CMAS-FFESSM levels: less autonomy, development area
more restricted.
The CMAS (World Confederation of Underwater Activities) brings together the different national federations, including in France the FFESSM
(French Federation of Underwater Sports and Studies). They are not
necessarily recognized all over the world (country off the beaten track, area
American), but give you greater possibilities in France:
you have more autonomy, you no longer have to
be accompanied by a guide (less expensive dives), you can access
greater depths, therefore at a greater diversity of sites. The
Level 1 allows you to descend to 25 meters accompanied by a guide, the Level
2 allows you to descend 45 meters accompanied by a guide, or 25 meters by
autonomy without guide.
In France, the 4thnd PADI level, the Rescue diver, is only recognized as a Level 2 FFESSM.
1 comment
Woaw… we can even put animations in the comments !!!!
It's a pleasure 😉