Scuba diving is an activity that consists of staying underwater by breathing with specific equipment. As a supervised activity, the French Federation of Underwater Study and Sport FFESSM distinguishes four levels of scuba diving. Each of these levels is characterized by specificities. It involves actors with diving training, and various levels of training depending on whether the diver is a beginner or not. Thus, level 1 in diving is the first level of the FFESSM diver; then come the levels 2, 3 and 4. Let’s review the different diving levels and their respective specificities.
Discover the:

Level 1 FFESSM
Summary:
The Level 1 diving course allows you to dive up to 20m, supervised by a monitor PE1, or up to 12m autonomously PA1 . The Level 1 course offers the diver the opportunity to discover the underwater environment and teach him how to prepare his equipment, the various water entry techniques and the main elements of communication.
Requirement:
- – 12 years old minimum
- – A medical statement
The RIFAP
Summary:
The RIFAP, an acronym for ’Reactions and response to a diving accident’, is, as its name suggests, the Marine Rescue and Rescue Certificate designed for scuba diving.
Requirement:
- – 16 years old minimum
- – Level 1 minimum
- – FFESSM license valid for the current year
- – A medical statement
Level 2 FFESSM
Summary:
The level 2 diving course allows you to acquire, in theory and in practice, the different notions and safety rules: prevention, detection and treatment of diving incidents. Level 2 will also teach you underwater orientation! With this certification, it is possible to dive up to 20m in autonomy PA1 with a binomial of level 2 minimum, or up to 40m accompanied by a dive guide PE3.
Requirement:
- – 16 years old minimum
- – N1 or equivalent
- – Medical statement
Level 3 FFESSM
Summary:
Level 3 is considered a level of development. It consolidates the knowledge of the N2, allows to go to a greater depth 60m in autonomy, and even to organize yourself your diving in the absence of director of diving.
Requirement:
- – 18 years old minimum
- – N2 or equivalent + RIFAP
- – Medical statement
Level 4 FFESSM
Summary:
First level of supervision, level 4 allows to supervise explorations for levels 1 and levels 2 divers, respectively less 20 m and less 40 m. For the rest, the prerogatives are the same as those offered by the N3.
Requirement:
- – 18 years old minimum
- – N3
- – Medical Statement
