Lesson 1, Topic 1
In Progress

Course Standards and Procedures

The Standard of the One Star Diver course is the technical document that defines all requirements that must be met by the Diving School, the training team and you as a student. It is very important that you confirm that the course you are attending complies with all of the points described below:

1. GOAL OF THE ONE STAR DIVER COURSE


This course gives skills to new participants in this activity, to dive safely up to a maximum of 20 meters deep, using air as a respiratory mixture, and making dives that do not require decompression stops.

2. RATING


This CMAS One Star Diver (P1) course is classified as an entry-level certification in recreational diving.

3. INSTRUCTOR AND ASSISTANTS


  • The CMAS One Star Diver (P1) course can be taught by a CMAS instructor with the minimum qualification of CMAS Two Star (M2) instructor, who is affiliated with CMAS Portugal and presents active teaching status.
  • The instructor can be assisted by a CMAS One Star Instructor (M1), who is affiliated with CMAS Portugal, or by another CMAS instructor, who is affiliated with CMAS Portugal and presents active teaching status.

You should ask your instructor and assistants to show you the valid certifications before starting the course

4. INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIO


  • Theoretical classes: one instructor for twelve students
  • Practical classes:
    • One instructor for four students.
    • For each Instructor Assistant you can increase the ratio of 2 more students up to a maximum of 12 students.
    • This ratio should be reduced if the conditions are not ideal.

IN PRACTICAL CLASSES NEVER ALLOW THE SESSION IF THE INSTRUCTOR AND ASSISTANT RATIO FOR THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IS NOT BEING MET

5. SKILLS OF A CMAS ONE STAR DIVER


  • A CMAS One Star diver (P1) after being trained and evaluated by a CMAS instructor, must have sufficient knowledge, dexterity and experience, to plan and carry out an open water dive that does not require decompression stops, properly equipped and accompanied by another certified diver, at least of the same level, unsupervised and in a similar environment, equal to or better, than the one in which he was trained.
  • A CMAS One Star diver (P1) is qualified to dive within the following parameters:
    • Use air as a respiratory mixture.
    • Dives that do not require decompression stops.
    • Day dives.
    • Dives with direct access to the surface.
    • Dives with adequate surface support.
    • Diving in an environment with similar conditions, equal or better, than those in which he was trained.
    • Dives to the maximum depth of 20 meters, accompanied by a diver of the same level or higher.
    • When trained and accompanied by a diving instructor, a CMAS One Star Diver (P1) diver will be able to progressively gain experience beyond these parameters and develop diving capabilities in more demanding conditions (e.g. greater depths, lower visibility, etc.), designed to access higher qualifications.

6. PREREQUISITES FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE COURSE


In order to participate in the CMAS One Star Diver (P1) course, the participant must meet the following prerequisites:

  • Be at least fourteen (14) years old; there is no upper age limit.
  • Know how to swim and demonstrate aquatic competence before a CMAS instructor.
  • Fill out the registration at CMAS Portugal.
  • Fill out the medical declaration required by CMAS Portugal before participating in any aquatic activity.
  • Sign the declaration, requested by CMAS Portugal, that you are aware of the risks inherent in recreational diving with a scaffolding, before participating in any aquatic activity. The signature of the legal representative is required when the student is a minor.

BEFORE STARTING ANY PRACTICAL SESSION IN SWIMMING POOL OR IN OPEN WATER YOU MUST HAVE IN YOUR POSSESSION THE CONFIRMATION THAT YOU ARE AFFILIATED WITH FPAS OR THAT THE DIVING SCHOOL HAS HELD YOUR DIVING INSURANCE

7. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS


To obtain your CMAS One Star diver (P1) certification, the student must:

  • Meet all prerequisites.
  • Successfully complete the theoretical evaluation.
  • Successfully complete the evaluation in confined waters in at least six (6) sessions.
  • Have successfully completed four (4) immersions in open water, at depths between 5 and 20 meters, and with a minimum duration of fifteen (15) minutes for each immersion.

PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE NUMBER OF SESSIONS IN OPEN WATER AND THE DEPTHS WHERE YOU HELD YOUR HANDS-ON SESSIONS

8. PARAMETERS OF THEORETICAL CLASSES


The CMAS instructor must ensure that the classroom is adequate in dimensions and conditions of comfort to the needs of the course and the number of students, have educational material appropriate to the exhibition of the topics to be taught, so that students are able to grasp the contents that are being taught.

9. PARAMETERS OF PRACTICAL CLASSES


  • The CMAS instructor shall assess, before each practical lesson of confined or open waters, whether the conditions of protection and safety are ensured.
  • The first immersion in open water can be replaced by two immersions in a pool with depth between 5 and 20 meters, if the instructor so chooses.

10. EVALUATION


Theoretical Knowledge

  • The student must successfully complete the theoretical evaluation, through the performance and approval of a written or oral examination.

Technical Skills of Diving in Confined and Open Waters

  • The student must demonstrate a high level of competence in the execution of technical procedures in confined and open waters, in accordance with those defined in these standards and in the training program.

11. CERTIFICATION


Having successfully completed the course program, a CMAS One Star Diver (P1) card will be delivered to the Diving School.

The card has the CMAS face (practitioner -blue background), where the level of the qualification of practitioner (white star) and the hologram with the CMAS logo in the upper right corner are printed. The text is written in French, English and Spanish, the three languages adopted by CMAS

In the verse CMAS Portugal prints:

  1. National Flag and CMAS Logo
  2. Certification identification
  3. CMAS card number
  4. Name and surname of its holder
  5. The photo of its holder
  6. Country name
  7. Date of issue and Validity
  8. Instructor CMAS Number

PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE NUMBER OF SESSIONS IN OPEN WATER AND THE DEPTHS WHERE YOU HELD YOUR HANDS-ON SESSIONS