Change CMAS to PADI

[Alessandro Calello]

Hi there folks,

Nothing much to add, the title says it all... can I do that? and keep in mind that I am in Europe...

Thanks.

 

[Bob DBF]

Unless there is a law that says otherwise, which I've not heard of, you can train with whomever you like.


Bob

 

[Alessandro Calello]

Actually what I'm saying is, I'm a first level CMAS, can I go now on second level PADI or to be PADI I should start from 0?

 

[decompression]

Your equivalent would be PADI advanced open water.
Equivalent Diving Qualifications: BSAC, PADI, CMAS, NAUI, etc - SCUBA Travel

I usually suggest taking the next level course, which would be PADI rescue diver. This way you'll get something more than just redoing a course to get a card.

 

[Alessandro Calello]

Equivalent Diving Qualifications: BSAC, PADI, CMAS, NAUI, etc - SCUBA Travel

Thanks man, now I have my answer and that link you attached is great!!!

 

[Patoux01]

Your equivalent would be PADI advanced open water.

In most countries I know, that's not even close.
CMAS.ch has 1* diving autonomously (with a buddy) to 15m in calm and protected water.
FFESSM (france) has 1* that cannot dive with only a buddy. They are required to have a guide (3* and up) to be able to dive up to 20m.
"Official" CMAS 1* is 20m.

The next step is most likely taking AOW in terms of depth (my opinion).
There shouldn't be any issue going from CMAS 1* to PADI AOW. (There are quite a few issues reported the other way around though in the countries I mentionned).

 

[Storker]

Back in 1998, the president of CMAS (Achille Ferrero) and the vice president of PADI (Drew Richardson) signed a crossover agreement between the two agencies. According to that agreement:

• PADI AOW requires CMAS 1*
• PADI Rescue requires CMAS 1* with minimum 9 logged dives, of which
  • 1 night dive
  • 1 navigation dive
  • 1 deep (>18m) dive
• PADI DM requires CMAS 2*
• CMAS 2* requires
  • PADI OW plus 5 logged dives, or
  • PADI AOW
• CMAS 3* requires PADI Rescue plus minimum 25 logged dives

Here's the agreement (PDF). I assume it's still valid.

Note that some instructors may put more stringent demands on their students. I know a guy who won't enroll anyone for CMAS 2* unless they have 20 logged drysuit dives. For giving you CMAS 3* training, he requires 50 logged drysuit dives.

 

[Alessandro Calello]

In most countries I know, that's not even close.
CMAS.ch has 1* diving autonomously (with a buddy) to 15m in calm and protected water.
FFESSM (france) has 1* that cannot dive with only a buddy. They are required to have a guide (3* and up) to be able to dive up to 20m.
"Official" CMAS 1* is 20m.

The next step is most likely taking AOW in terms of depth (my opinion).
There shouldn't be any issue going from CMAS 1* to PADI AOW. (There are quite a few issues reported the other way around though in the countries I mentionned).

I want to know if with my CMAS 1* I can change it for an Padi AOW...

Back in 1998, the president of CMAS (Achille Ferrero) and the vice president of PADI (Drew Richardson) signed a crossover agreement between the two agencies. According to that agreement:

• PADI AOW requires CMAS 1*
• PADI Rescue requires CMAS 1* with minimum 9 logged dives, of which
  • 1 night dive
  • 1 navigation dive
  • 1 deep (>18m) dive
• PADI DM requires CMAS 2*
• CMAS 2* requires
  • PADI OW plus 5 logged dives, or
  • PADI AOW
• CMAS 3* requires PADI Rescue plus minimum 25 logged dives

Here's the agreement (PDF). I assume it's still valid.

Note that some instructors may put more stringent demands on their students. I know a guy who won't enroll anyone for CMAS 2* unless they have 20 logged drysuit dives. For giving you CMAS 3* training, he requires 50 logged drysuit dives.

I hope it's still valid, thanks for this precious informations...

 

[Storker]

I want to know if with my CMAS 1* I can change it for an Padi AOW..

No, you can't change it for AOW. The CMAS 1* cert, as I know it, is virtually identical to the PADI OW cert. You should, however, be allowed to enroll a PADI AOW class if you have a CMAS 1* cert.

What I find interesting with the agreement is that in reality there are lower demands on crossing over from PADI to CMAS than climbing the CMAS ladder. A PADI AOW is below a CMAS 2*, as the 2* syllabus - again as I know it, there are national differences between CMAS certs - includes a bit of the PADI Rescue syllabus. Even though I have PADI certs, I'm quite convinced that the CMAS syllabus and, more importantly, the amount of hours spent in a CMAS class, generally is better and more extensive than PADI's syllabus. Also, the number of logged dives required for a CMAS diver to enroll a higher level class is larger than the number of dives required for a PADI diver.

Since my first cert was PADI OW, I'm currently climbing the PADI ladder. However, I see no reason at all to continue in the PADI system after Rescue. The PADI Rescue syllabus seems to be more extensive than the CMAS 2*, so that's a good thing. OTOH, I have absolutely no intention of "going pro", so the DM course doesn't fit me. CMAS 3* is a certification very similar to PADI DM, but it's geared towards non-profit club diving. I see a lot of value for the recreational (i.e. not-for-profit) diver in learning how to be a competent divemaster/dive leader, so the CMAS 3* class would fit me a lot better. If I ever take another class after Rescue, I don't believe it'll be given by PADI. I would, however, seriously consider CMAS 3*.

 

[Alessandro Calello]

No, you can't change it for AOW. The CMAS 1* cert, as I know it, is virtually identical to the PADI OW cert. You should, however, be allowed to enroll a PADI AOW class if you have a CMAS 1* cert.

What I find interesting with the agreement is that in reality there are lower demands on crossing over from PADI to CMAS than climbing the CMAS ladder. A PADI AOW is below a CMAS 2*, as the 2* syllabus - again as I know it, there are national differences between CMAS certs - includes a bit of the PADI Rescue syllabus. Even though I have PADI certs, I'm quite convinced that the CMAS syllabus and, more importantly, the amount of hours spent in a CMAS class, generally is better and more extensive than PADI's syllabus. Also, the number of logged dives required for a CMAS diver to enroll a higher level class is larger than the number of dives required for a PADI diver.

Since my first cert was PADI OW, I'm currently climbing the PADI ladder. However, I see no reason at all to continue in the PADI system after Rescue. The PADI Rescue syllabus seems to be more extensive than the CMAS 2*, so that's a good thing. OTOH, I have absolutely no intention of "going pro", so the DM course doesn't fit me. CMAS 3* is a certification very similar to PADI DM, but it's geared towards non-profit club diving. I see a lot of value for the recreational (i.e. not-for-profit) diver in learning how to be a competent divemaster/dive leader, so the CMAS 3* class would fit me a lot better. If I ever take another class after Rescue, I don't believe it'll be given by PADI. I would, however, seriously consider CMAS 3*.

Thanks for your explanation, and personally I will go Pro, I have in mind to become an instructor and then open my own Diving Centre...