The main professional scuba diving instructor union in France is ANMP (National Association of Diving Instructors), while the nation's main recreational diving organization, which has been influencing the French scuba diving evolution and regulation historically, is FFESSM (French Federation of Underwater Study and Sports).
ANMP focuses on the protection of the French diving trade and on its evolution and regulation.
It represents the professional part of the recreational diving activity, while the FFESSM represents the non profit part.
The ANMP also proposes diving courses similar to those of the French federation, recognized in France and across the world by another organization, the CEDIP.
CEDIP is the European organisation for professional diving instructors that is represented by 16 major European diving organisations.
It is the organization which gives the international recognition to the diver levels from the French trade union, the ANMP.
CEDIP professional diving instructors offer courses for individuals, small groups, families and friends, complete courses, daily or hourly courses.
Up to date information may be requested at any time from: CEDIP Euro 92, Bat F Route des Cistes ZI des Trois Moulins 06600 ANTIBES - FRANCE .
Even if PADI is the biggest recreational diving organization in the world, it enjoys no direct recognition from the French diving legislation.
There are some limitations that do not match PADI standards.
But generally, a US person wishing to dive in France for recreation will face no issues with their US based certification (be it PADI, NAUI, YMCA or GUE).
Maybe, only to comply with CMAS (World Federation of Underwater Activities) standards, a bit more supervision might be required.
Among the countries that have adopted the French CEDIP standards for divers certifications is Ukraine.
CEDIP in Ukraine has been progressing exponentially.
CEDIP diving organizations in Ukraine can be found in: Berdyansk, Dnepropetrovsk, Donetsk, Evpatoriya, Crimea, Feodosiya, Crimea, Kharkov, Kherson, Kiev, Krivoy Rog, Makeevka, Mariupol, Nikolaev, Odessa, Olenevka (Crimea), Sevastopol, Simferopol (Crimea), Sudak (Crimea), Yalta (Crimea), Zaporozhie.
CEDIP Diving instructors and schools operate in 46 countries worldwide.
The only known to us CEDIP diving instructors in the USA are based in Hawaii (Kealakekua).