Fédération Française d'Études et de Sports Sous-Marins

Fédération Française d'Études et de Sports Sous-Marins
Abbreviation FFESSM
Formation 1948 (1948)
Type NGO
Purpose Underwater Sports & Sciences and diver training
Headquarters France
Location
  • L31 8BX24 Quai de Rive Neuve 13284 MARSEILLE Cedex 07 FRANCE
Region served
France
Official language
French
President
 Jean-Louis Blanchard
Affiliations
Website http://www.ffessm.fr/
Formerly called
 FSPNES (1948)
FGRSSM (1952)
FFASM (1953)
FNESSM (1954)

The Fédération Française d'Études et de Sports Sous-Marins (FFESSM), translated as French Federation of Undersea Studies and Sports, is the main diver training organization of France and was formed in 1955 after a merger of 2 organisations of which one was founded as early as 1948. It has 160,000 members and consists of 2,200 clubs. It is one of the founding members of the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS, World Confederation of Underwater Activities). The other French federation is the Fédération Sportive et Gymnique du Travail (FSGT). In France, there are two associations of professional instructors: the Association Nationale des Moniteurs de Plongée (ANMP) —which founded the European Committee of Professional Diving Instructors (CEDIP)—and the Société Nationale des Moniteurs de Plongée (SNMP).

Origins

In 1948, the organisation was created under the title, the Fédération des sociétés de pêche à la nage et d’études sous-marines (FSPNES) (Federation of Fishing and swimming underwater surveys). In 1952, FSPNES became the Fédération des groupements régionaux de sports sous-marins (FGRSSM) (Federation regional groupings of underwater sports). In 1953, FGRSSM became the Fédération française des activités sous-marines (FFASM) (French Federation of Underwater Activities). In 1954, FFASM changed its name to the Fédération nationale française d’études et de sports sous-marins (FNFESSM) (National Federation of French studies and underwater sports) in order to avoid confusion with FASM, a rival organisation with a similar name. In 1955, FNFESSM and FASM merged to become FFESSM.[2]

Underwater sport

FFESSM supports competition at all levels for the following underwater sports: finswimming, freediving, spearfishing, underwater hockey, underwater orienteering and underwater target shooting. It also offers competition in canyoning.[3]

Qualifications

Diver level

  • A level I diver can dive to a maximum depth of 20 m when under the direct supervision of at least a level IV diver, or autonomously to a maximum of 10 m, depending on weather conditions and approval from the diving officer (Directeur de plongée).
  • A level II diver can dive to a maximum depth of 20 m in relative autonomy with other divers of at least level II and to 40 m under the direct supervision of a diver of at least level IV.
  • A level III diver can dive in total autonomy with other level III divers to a maximum depth of 60 m, and can also dive to 20 m with level II divers.
  • A level IV diver can dive in total autonomy to a maximum depth of 60 m and lead level I and II divers as already described.
  • A level V diver is a level IV diver and also a diving officer (only for exploration dives). This level is only valid within the club that issued it.

Leadership level

  • The level E1 Initiateur is a level II or III diver who also has a diplôme d'initiateur and the Rescue specialty (RIFAP), and can teach to a maximum depth of 6 m.
  • The level E2 is a level IV diver who also has a diplôme d'initiateur and the Rescue specialty, or an E3 candidate, and can teach to a maximum depth of 20 m.
  • The level E3 Moniteur fédéral 1er degré (MF1) or Moniteur fédéral 1er degré Associé (MF1A) or Brevet d'État d'éducateur sportif 1er degré (BEES1) can teach to a maximum depth of 40 m with air and 40 m with Trimix and is a diving officer for dives from 0–40 m with air/nitrox and 70 m with Trimix.
  • The level E4 Moniteur fédéral 2e degré (MF2) or Moniteur fédéral 2e degré Associé (MF2A) or Brevet d'État d'éducateur sportif 2e degré (BEES2) can teach to a maximum depth of 60 m with air and 80 m with Trimix and is also a diving officer for diver deeper than 40m with air/nitrox and 120 m with Trimix.
  • The level E5 Brevet d'État d'éducateur sportif 3e degré (BEES3) is an honorific level for research and teaching.

Presidents of the FFESSM

  • Honorary president: Commandant Jacques-Yves Cousteau
  • Founding president: Jean Flavien Borelli (1955–1956)
  • Elie Ferat (1956–1965)
  • Jacques Dumas (1965–1968 and 1972–1977)
  • Henry Ducommun (1968–1972)
  • Pierre Perraud (1977–1980)
  • Bernard Dargaud (1980–1993)
  • Francis Imbert (1993–2001)
  • Roland Blanc (2001-2009)
  • Jean-Louis Blanchard (since 2009)

See also

References

  1. ↑ "CMAS Europe Articles of Association, 25 June 2005" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  2. ↑ History of FFESSM, FFESSM, retrieved 16 February 2013
  3. ↑ "PRACTICE SPORT UNDERWATER". PRACTICE SPORT UNDERWATER. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
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