In the heart of winter, there’s no question of stopping your diving and even less of shortening your dives. Whether you are diving in temperate or cool waters (quarry, lakes, rivers…) or even cold (under ice), the dry suit will be your most precious ally to enjoy your dives safely. However, before using this type of suit, you need to learn how to use it. Many organizations in France and abroad offer specific training, which we have listed for you.ANMP
The National Association of Diving Instructors provides a dry suit qualification to divers interested in using these suits. To access it, one must hold an ANMP ‘Level 1’ diving certificate or an equivalent recognized qualification. After at least 3 or 4 practical sessions, the diver must be able to equip and dive, balance and stabilize, operate within their limits, manage an ascent, maintain and choose a dry suit.Pre-requisites : holders of a Trimix qualification must master the specificities related to diving in a ‘Trimix Diving’ configuration (with decompression cylinders)CMAS
La World Confederation of Underwater Activities delivers a dry suit specialty for each participant wishing to safely use this type of suit. This training covers various topics such as the use and maintenance of the dry suit, adapting their diving equipment to this type of suit, correct balancing, and behavior during unexpected and stressful situations.Pre-requisites : be at least 14 years old, have a medical certificate, be certified CMAS Level 1 diver, and present parental permission for minors.FFESSM
La French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports offers a dry suit qualification, aimed at providing divers with the knowledge and practice necessary for this type of equipment, either during training or in a specific manner. 5 skills must be validated: knowledge of theory, equipment handling, immersion, stabilization and ascent with the suit, mastery of technical ascent, reaction to team incidents. The theoretical part occurs in a classroom and the practical part (usually 4 dives) can take place in a protected environment like a pool or diving pit to begin, then conclude with an outing in natural environment, under real usage conditions between 0 and 20 meters deep.Pre-requisites : be at least 12 years old, hold Level 1 and know how to use your buoyancy control device, have a medical certificate. Parental authorization is required for minors.PADI
La Professional Association of Diving Instructors offers specific training for dry suit diving, dry suit diver, which allows learning everything necessary to dive safely with a dry suit. This course includes, besides a theoretical part, one dive in a confined environment and 2 dives in natural conditions, staying within diving limits. All this is to learn planning and organizing procedures, techniques and inherent dangers of diving in a dry suit, techniques for good buoyancy management, descent and ascent methods, and suit maintenance.Pre-requisites : be 10 years or older, be certified Open Water Diver, have a medical certificate. Authorization for minors is necessary.SDI
Le SDI Dry Suit Diver course enables the acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills to correctly use a dry suit. It covers types of dry suits, accessories, maintenance, and basic repairs.Pre-requisites : be 18 years old (from 12 to 18 years, parental authorization is required).SSI
La Scuba Schools International offers a specialty called dry suit diving, which provides an introduction to the advantages of dry suit diving and acquaints you with the different types of suits and accessories available for dry suit diving. During 2 practical dives, you learn how to properly use and maintain this type of equipment.Pre-requisites : be at least 12 years old, hold a certification Open Water Diver or equivalent, complete a medical questionnaire, parental authorization for minors is required.
Discover the Plongez! video of a dry suit test conducted alongside Alban Michon at the 18th diving show.