Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques
Encyclopedia
The Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) is the World Underwater Federation. CMAS is the international umbrella organisation for recreational diver training organisations represented in the CMAS Technical Committee and underwater sports governed by the CMAS Sport Committee. It also operates a third (Scientific) committee that promotes recreational diver awareness of and involvement in underwater science pursuits and marine conservation.
It was founded in Monaco
in January 1959. As such, it is one of the world's oldest scuba diving
organisations. The international office is currently in Rome
.
CMAS offers an international framework for diver and instructor qualifications in scuba diving and snorkelling. Members of the CMAS Council are representatives of recognised national diving organisations that guarantee the CMAS standards are upheld within the constraints of local diving conditions. These national organisations award CMAS qualification cards which have the appropriate CMAS grade on one side and details of the relevant national organisation and the person they have qualified on the other.
Since CMAS effectively started as a volunteer organisation for hobbyists, its courses tend to reflect the full range of European and world diving standards. Compared to other diving organisations which may be more geared towards holiday and tropical water diving, the training philosophy of CMAS members' clubs originates from professional or military diving backgrounds. While organisations like PADI
or SSI
tend to bring divers into the water immediately, CMAS entry-level training is more extensive, featuring more "classroom" delivered theory and strives to produce more experienced, knowledgeable and skilled divers.
The differences between CMAS and US-originated dive education in their philosophies for diving are still very noticeable. CMAS as a diving organisation is entirely about quality education and the implied increase in diving safety over profit, and its programmes tend to be taught worldwide more in dive schools than dive shops. Implicit in this is that non-CMAS affiliated diving organisations are more often operated on a commercial basis.
on 28 September 1958. Delegates were drawn from following countries: Belgium
, Brazil
, France
, Federal Republic of Germany
, Greece
, Italy
, Monaco
, Portugal
, Switzerland
, the United States of America and Yugoslavia
. Following a decision at that congress, a meeting was held in Monaco
on 9–11 January 1959, which established the "World Confederation of Underwater Activities", known by the acronym of its French title as "CMAS". One of the founding members was the French underwater pioneer Jacques-Yves Cousteau
.
CMAS became the successor to the "Comité des Sports Sous-Marins" (Underwater Sports Committee) of the International Confederation of Sport Fishing, which was founded on 22 February 1952.
Scuba diving
certifications
Skin Diver/Snorkel Diver
diving certifications
Instructor certifications
Speciality certifications
Apnea (free-diving
)
It was founded in Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
in January 1959. As such, it is one of the world's oldest scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
organisations. The international office is currently in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
CMAS offers an international framework for diver and instructor qualifications in scuba diving and snorkelling. Members of the CMAS Council are representatives of recognised national diving organisations that guarantee the CMAS standards are upheld within the constraints of local diving conditions. These national organisations award CMAS qualification cards which have the appropriate CMAS grade on one side and details of the relevant national organisation and the person they have qualified on the other.
Since CMAS effectively started as a volunteer organisation for hobbyists, its courses tend to reflect the full range of European and world diving standards. Compared to other diving organisations which may be more geared towards holiday and tropical water diving, the training philosophy of CMAS members' clubs originates from professional or military diving backgrounds. While organisations like PADI
Padi
Padi or PADI may refer to:* Padi, Chennai, India* Padi , a musical group* Paddy field, a type of cultivated land * Professional Association of Diving Instructors, a scuba organization...
or SSI
SSI
- Economics :* Standing Settlement Instructions, payment processing and settlement information about financial institutions* Strategic Sustainable Investing, an investment strategy that recognizes financial value in transitional leadership towards sustainability...
tend to bring divers into the water immediately, CMAS entry-level training is more extensive, featuring more "classroom" delivered theory and strives to produce more experienced, knowledgeable and skilled divers.
The differences between CMAS and US-originated dive education in their philosophies for diving are still very noticeable. CMAS as a diving organisation is entirely about quality education and the implied increase in diving safety over profit, and its programmes tend to be taught worldwide more in dive schools than dive shops. Implicit in this is that non-CMAS affiliated diving organisations are more often operated on a commercial basis.
History
An international congress of federations representing all underwater disciplines met in BrusselsBrussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
on 28 September 1958. Delegates were drawn from following countries: Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Federal Republic of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, the United States of America and Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
. Following a decision at that congress, a meeting was held in Monaco
Monaco
Monaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
on 9–11 January 1959, which established the "World Confederation of Underwater Activities", known by the acronym of its French title as "CMAS". One of the founding members was the French underwater pioneer Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a French naval officer, explorer, ecologist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water...
.
CMAS became the successor to the "Comité des Sports Sous-Marins" (Underwater Sports Committee) of the International Confederation of Sport Fishing, which was founded on 22 February 1952.
Qualifications and certifications
CMAS has a star system for grading diver and instructor qualifications and certifications:Scuba diving
Scuba diving
Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving in which a diver uses a scuba set to breathe underwater....
certifications
- CMAS Scuba Diver - (Resort Course) limited depth, etc. No certification since only pool training done
- 1 Star - "A diver who is competent in the safe and correct use of all appropriate open water scuba diving equipment in a sheltered water training area and is ready to gain open water diving experience in the company of an experienced diver."
- 2 Star - "A diver who has gained some open water diving experience and is considered ready to take part in dives partnered by a diver of at least the same or higher grade."
- 3 Star - "A fully trained, experienced, and responsible diver who is considered competent to lead other divers of any grade in open water dives."
- 4 Star - "A three star diver who has attained a higher than average level of knowledge and ability supported by broad experience. He will be competent to use divers and diving to achieve major tasks or project objectives."
Skin Diver/Snorkel Diver
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is the practice of swimming on or through a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swimfins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn...
diving certifications
- 1 Star - Snorkel Diver
- 2 Star - Snorkel Diver
- 3 Star - Snorkel Diver
Instructor certifications
- 1 Star - "A three star diver who has a knowledge of the techniques of diving instruction and is competent in practical instructional skills: he is qualified to direct and certify a full CMAS One Star Diver course."
- 2 Star - "An experienced one star instructor who has the knowledge, skills, and experience required to teach groups of divers in the classroom, pool and open water, and to assist in the training of One Star Instructor. He is qualified to direct and certify all CMAS diver levels and all CMAS Snorkel Instructor levels."
- 3 Star - "A fully experienced two star instructor who is competent to take responsibility for the conduct of diving schools and events, [and] to train all grade of divers and instructors and centres, and specialised training courses."
- Nitrox instructor
- Confirmed Nitrox instructor
- Photo instructor level I
- Cave diver instructor level II
- Marine Science instructor level I
- ApneaApneaApnea, apnoea, or apnœa is a term for suspension of external breathing. During apnea there is no movement of the muscles of respiration and the volume of the lungs initially remains unchanged...
instructor - RebreatherRebreatherA rebreather is a type of breathing set that provides a breathing gas containing oxygen and recycled exhaled gas. This recycling reduces the volume of breathing gas used, making a rebreather lighter and more compact than an open-circuit breathing set for the same duration in environments where...
instructor
Speciality certifications
- Basic Nitrox diver
- Advanced Nitrox diver
- Night divingNight divingNight diving is a type of recreational diving which takes place in darkness. The diver can experience a different underwater environment at night, because many marine animals are nocturnal....
- Search and recovery
- Photographer level III
- Cave diver level II
- Marine science level I
- RebreatherRebreatherA rebreather is a type of breathing set that provides a breathing gas containing oxygen and recycled exhaled gas. This recycling reduces the volume of breathing gas used, making a rebreather lighter and more compact than an open-circuit breathing set for the same duration in environments where...
diver
Apnea (free-diving
Free-diving
Freediving is any of various aquatic activities that share the practice of breath-hold underwater diving. Examples include breathhold spear fishing, freedive photography, apnea competitions and, to a degree, snorkeling...
)
- Apnea level I
- Apnea level II
- Apnea level III
Sports
CMAS organises the following sports (although parallel 'world governing bodies' exist for some of these):- Apnea (Free-diving)Free-divingFreediving is any of various aquatic activities that share the practice of breath-hold underwater diving. Examples include breathhold spear fishing, freedive photography, apnea competitions and, to a degree, snorkeling...
- Aquathlon
- FinswimmingFinswimmingFinswimming is the progression of a swimmer using monofins or normal swimfins either on the water surface or underwater, using only muscle strength. It is a discipline of underwater sports. The competition distances are same as for swimming...
- Orienteering
- SpearfishingSpearfishingSpearfishing is an ancient method of fishing that has been used throughout the world for millennia. Early civilizations were familiar with the custom of spearing fish from rivers and streams using sharpened sticks....
- Sport diving
- Underwater hockeyUnderwater hockeyUnderwater hockey is a global non-contact sport in which two teams compete to maneuver a puck across the bottom of a swimming pool into goals.-Play:...
- Underwater photographyUnderwater photographyUnderwater photography is the process of taking photographs while under water. It is usually done while scuba diving, but can be done while snorkeling or swimming.-Overview:...
- Underwater rugbyUnderwater rugbyUnderwater rugby is a sport that has its origin in the physical fitness training of German diving clubs and has little in common with rugby football except for the name....
- Underwater target shooting
The Steering Committee
The steering committee consists of 7 members. The current members are:- President - Achille Ferrero (ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
) - Secretary General - Alessandro Zerbi (MonacoMonacoMonaco , officially the Principality of Monaco , is a sovereign city state on the French Riviera. It is bordered on three sides by its neighbour, France, and its centre is about from Italy. Its area is with a population of 35,986 as of 2011 and is the most densely populated country in the...
) - Vice President - Ivan Nyiri (HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
) - President Scientific Committee - Hassen Baccouche (TunisiaTunisiaTunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
) - President Sports Committee - Xavier Duran Soler (SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
) - President Technical Committee - Kevin O'Shaughnessy (IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
) - Treasurer - Alain Germain (FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
)