FFESSM Diving Levels (N1 to N4) — Complete Guide

ℹ️ This content is for informational and educational purposes. It does not replace the official FFESSM regulations or the French Sports Code.

The FFESSM system overview

The French Federation of Underwater Studies and Sports (FFESSM) is the primary dive training organization in France. Its certifications are internationally recognized through CMAS (World Underwater Federation). The curriculum ranges from beginner diver (PE-20) to federal instructor (E4/MF2), through progressive technical levels.

Level 1 (N1) — Supervised diver to 20m

Prerequisites

Minimum age 14 (12 with parental consent). Medical certificate. No prior experience required.

Skills

N1 divers can dive supervised to 20 metres. They master basic techniques: water entry, finning, mask clearing, controlled ascent, and underwater communication. They understand basic decompression principles and pressure effects (Boyle's Law applied to ears and mask).

CMAS equivalence

N1 corresponds to CMAS 1 Star Diver (P*).

Level 2 (N2) — Autonomous to 20m / Supervised to 40m

Prerequisites

Minimum age 16. N1 certification or equivalent. Medical certificate.

Skills

N2 is the first level granting autonomy. Divers can dive autonomously to 20m and supervised to 40m. They must master MN90 tables for single dives (reading stops, TDT, successive dive groups), dive computer use, buddy assistance, and basic dive planning.

MN90 tables in the curriculum

N2 must read the main table: find stops for a given depth and time, calculate TDT, identify the GPS. Practice with our interactive MN90 table.

CMAS equivalence

N2 corresponds to CMAS 2 Star Diver (P**).

Level 3 (N3) — Autonomous to 60m

Prerequisites

Minimum age 18. N2 certification. Medical certificate.

Skills

N3 is autonomous to 60 metres (maximum recreational air diving depth). They master all MN90 tables: successive dives, time penalty calculations, emergency procedures (fast ascent, interrupted stop). They can organize and lead a dive team, manage a diving accident, and plan complex dives.

CMAS equivalence

N3 corresponds to CMAS 3 Star Diver (P***).

Level 4 (N4) — Dive Leader

Prerequisites

Minimum age 18. N3 certification. RIFAP (diving first aid). Medical certificate.

Skills

N4 is the highest technical certification for non-instructors. They can lead divers of all levels to 40m and N2/N3 divers to 60m. Complete mastery of MN90 tables and emergency procedures, team management, surface safety, and diving-specific first aid.

Summary table

Level	Min. age	Autonomous	Supervised	MN90 Tables	CMAS
N1	14	—	20m	Basics	P*
N2	16	20m	40m	Single dive	P**
N3	18	60m	—	Successive	P***
N4 / DL	18	60m	Leads	Full + emergency	P***

FAQ — FFESSM Levels

How long does it take to get N2?

Typically 2-3 weeks of training (about 10 technical dives + theory). Some clubs offer intensive week-long courses in tropical conditions. The key is having enough diving experience to be comfortable underwater.

Is N3 FFESSM recognized abroad?

Yes, through the CMAS 3 Star equivalence. The CMAS card is recognized in over 130 countries. Some PADI centers may request a check-dive to verify your level, but the equivalence is official.

What's the difference between N4 and PADI Divemaster?

The FFESSM N4 (Dive Leader) is more technically demanding than PADI Divemaster. N4 allows autonomous exploration leadership, while Divemaster is more oriented toward dive center assistance. See our PADI vs FFESSM comparison.