Want to venture into a new way of seeing the world? Curious about what lies beneath the water’s surface? Embark on an exploration of the seabed and experience the first sensations that scuba diving provides through an introduction or initiation course. Neither is mandatory before starting a formal training, but it’s a good way to see if you feel comfortable underwater. Numerous organizations in France and abroad can introduce you to diving, whether in a pool or a natural environment. For ANMP
The National Association of Diving Instructors consists of professional instructors (state-certified). During the introductory dive, the instructor supervises only one diver at a time at a maximum depth of 6 meters. Then, as a beginner, the diver can advance within a supervised group of up to 4 divers. The Anmp does not set an age limit for starting. Its instructors offer courses tailored for children with 3 diving qualifications and 3 snorkeling qualifications dedicated to juniors. For each course, a diving logbook is provided and a certification card is issued for each qualification. From the age of 12, divers can progress to a qualification of guided diver at 12 meters (PE12) or Level 1-PE20.For CMAS
La World Underwater Federation offers a training program entitled « Introduction to Diving. » Intended for those looking to experience their first tank dive, it includes a dive to a maximum depth of 10 meters with a CMAS instructor.Prerequisites : must be at least 14 years old, know how to swim, and possess a medical certificate and parental authorization for minors.For FFESSM
La French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports recommends the introductory dive as the first contact with diving. It is an introduction that can be done in a pool or a protected natural environment. The introductory dive is available to anyone from 8 years old, which is the age at which the « Diving Introduction » certification can be obtained. With an instructor, you become familiar with the underwater world during an immersion lasting 20 to 40 minutes at a depth between 2 and 6 meters . During this first dive, you discover the basics of handling the equipment that allows you to navigate underwater: the mask, fins, wetsuit, buoyancy vest, and regulator.The Discovery Pack,intended for beginners on a short stay, allows you to fully enjoy 3 dives accompanied by an instructor at a maximum depth of 6 meters, without the constraints of a license or medical visit. It results in the issuance of either a discovery card or a PE 12 (if a technical dive was included).Prerequisites : a medical certificate and parental authorization (for minors) are mandatory.For FSGT
La Sports and Gymnastics Federation of Laboris a French multi-sport federation, including underwater activities such as scuba diving.
Beyond a basic initiation but before level 1 technical training, the PE12 begins in a restricted aquatic environment (e.g., a pool) where the fundamentals of equipment knowledge, entry, and safety rules are addressed with a qualified instructor. Once the basics are mastered, the diver agedat least 12 years is taken into a natural environment up to a depth of 12 meters.To be validated, the PE12 requires at least 2 dives in a natural environment.Prerequisites : hold a popular initiative card or an FSGT license, present a medical certificate and parental authorization for minors.For PADI
La Professional Association of Diving Instructors, an American diving school, the most internationally recognized, offers an initiation called Discover Scuba Diving, validated by an informal certificate of the same name. During this first underwater experience, you learn the basic safety rules and how to use diving equipment (mask, fins, snorkel, vest, regulator, suit), and complete some exercises up to 12 meters maximum with a qualified instructor either in a pool, in a protected marine environment, or both.Prerequisites : must be at least 10 years old, parental authorization for minors is required.For SSI
La Scuba Schools International is an international scuba diving training organization.
More than just an initiation, the 2 programs Try Scuba (in a pool) with a maximum depth of 5 meters and Try Scuba Diving up to 12 meters (in a natural environment and depending on the participants’ age) provide the basics for understanding the underwater world. An SSI diving professional accompanies you. Two distinct phases are planned: a first « technical » phase in 1 to 1.5 meters of water to assess the individual’s behavior, followed by a second exploration phase. A recognition card Try Scuba ou Try Scuba Diving is then issued.Prerequisites : must be at least 8 years old for the pool program and 10 years old for the natural environment one, parental authorization for minors is required.
Morgane CONSTANTIN