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You only have to worry about diving in France and the French parts of Canada with a PADI cert.
But that's another thread.
Well that's sort of a broad statement, and those two probably shouldn't be lumped together. France, the agency is the issue (with maybe a couple of other requirements); the "French parts of Canada", namely Quebec, it's not the agency that's the problem, it's the need for a permit as well as a c-card... but you're right, that's another thread entirely.
As long as you have your C-card and a method a payment you are good to go. An Agency like a drivers ed school, it doesn't matter who you trained with as long as you have your card/license.
Well that's sort of a broad statement, and those two probably shouldn't be lumped together. France, the agency is the issue (with maybe a couple of other requirements); the "French parts of Canada", namely Quebec, it's not the agency that's the problem, it's the need for a permit as well as a c-card... but you're right, that's another thread entirely.
To the OP, have fun and enjoy your trip.
Broad statement!!! Incorrect would be more appropriate especially pertaining to the French parts. There are many scuba training agencies in Quebec including PADI, NAUI, etc. FQAS is another beast of its own and it applies equally to any diver notwithstanding what C-Card agency he or she carries.
Don't be fooled by CA ...it means California, not Canada
Broad statement!!! Incorrect would be more appropriate especially pertaining to the French parts.
Ok, yeah, "broad" was not the right choice of word there. Over generalization perhaps (at best). Coming here with a PADI card could be a problem (which was what fisheater suggested), but it's a problem if you ONLY have a PADI card. All my c-cards say PADI on them and though I have yet to be asked for my FQAS card, I know it'll happen eventually. (and it's definitely wrong when you think that certain parts of Ontario and New Brunswick would have be included in "the French parts of Canada", where FQAS is beyond irrelevant)
As long as you have your C-card and a method a payment you are good to go. An Agency like a drivers ed school, it doesn't matter who you trained with as long as you have your card/license.
I am Padi OW, SSI AOW. Never had an issue.
I did SDI OW, SDI EAN and PADI AOW; oldest daughter did SDI OW, and youngest daughter did PADI OW; we all got certified at the same DS, though at different times.
As you can see, it really doesn't make a difference where you do your referral dives, as long as they are accredited by one of the agencies.
As far as I know the problem in France is that in this country there are really dive laws, as in real legislation. No this or this federation/agency rules, or insurance rules, but real legislation punishable by law. Arrêté du 22 juin 1998
These laws are applicable not only for commercial organisations (for example a diveshop in south of france organising dive-instruction or wreckdives), but also for dive-clubs... all levels where a person of authority organizes dives. The laws are based on the french CMAS/FFESSM dive levels (niveau 1, 2, 3, 4), and rule for example what level of certification you need to dive together and to what depth. So for example a niveau 3-4 can take a niveau 2 on a dive to 40m.
The problem is that the PADI certifications are not rated to the exact FFESSM equivalent, because for example FFESSM niveau 2 already "touch" deco-diving, while PADI (non DSAT) certification don't teach this. So you could go as an experienced PADI DM to the south of France and ask to dive with your similar experienced DM buddy to dive one of the deeper Cote-D'Azur wrecks (as in donator (36-52m), barge aux congres (45-48m), togo (48-60m)) and they would say you can't join or day-boat to this wrecks because your certification doesn't allow this (or at least without a niveau 3-4 accompanying you). Throw in a bit of French chauvinism and you got an explosive mix.
I believe the current situation has improved alot (local PADI shops opening up) but the French dive-laws still stand.
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Originally Posted by fisheater
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