Contrary to belief, there are laws about dive certifications

[gcarter]

Quebec requires certification and a valid FQAS certificate.

 

[Searcaigh]

Pretty sure France has some fairly restrictive laws on diving too - and only recognises CMAS qualifications not le PADI or any others - it has even been suggested to me that they only recognise French issued CMAS qualifications at that. I'm not sure if their laws cover diving by yourself (not from a centre or club), but if you dive with a centre or organised group you have to have a CMAS guide with you unless you are CMAS qualified yourself. - talk about over reaction - P

But who wants to dive in France anyway (c'est une plaisanterie )

 

[redacted]

Quebec requires certification and a valid FQAS certificate.

Is that in France?

 

[Martigan]

In France there are strict laws for diving within a structure (dive shop or club). You have to respect prerogatives (autonomy and depth usually, but also nitrox etc.) that your agency gave to you, if this is a french agency or CMAS, or that the course director awarded to you, if you have no CMAS or french cert. It means that a stupid/wise/overly prudent course director can restrict you far more than your PADI/NAUI/SSI... cert, if he does not want to grant you full depth. So it is now possible to dive in France with foreign certs, but you will have to :
- Find an open minded course director
- Do a test dive to get your awarded depth and autonomy if any

There is also a dive police, where the Gendarmerie Nationale sometimes verifies certs on the boat, and in rare cases, verify directly under water where are the divers and the divemaster, and then compare with certs and maw depth allowed!

However, there is absolutely no law regarding diving outisde any structure (dive shop, dive club etc...). You can do as you wish.
There are laws regarding fishing and looting of underwater riches which have to be respected, by all divers whatsoever.

PS: Quebec is not in France, it is in Canada, even if they speak a french dialect there.

 

[gcarter]

As Martigan says, Quebec is indeed in Canada. The FQAS is not a full cert or training course; its intent is to ensure that divers are trained and experienced in cold water gear and conditions. FQAS --> Rglement en plonge du Qubec

 

[Searcaigh]

There is also a dive police, where the Gendarmerie Nationale sometimes verifies certs on the boat, and in rare cases, verify directly under water where are the divers and the divemaster, and then compare with certs and maw depth allowed!

Now I have a vision of a Gendarmerie diver (wearing a kepi of course) hiding behind a large piece of coral (if there is any left in the French Med) and popping out when diver passes asking them for their CMAS card, then booking them if they don't have one.