Diving for the Star: The CMAS One-Star Dive Certification

Prof Dr Oliver Tito introduces the academic part of the CMAS one-star dive certification.

Zamboanga City (November 24, 2021) – The ongoing WBA dive training in this city will run-up to November 29 and is conducted by the Dive Center of the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology (ZSCMST). The assessment and certification are through CMAS Philippines.

CMAS stands for Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques. In English, it is known as the World Underwater Federation and uses the French acronym CMAS in its logo. It was organized in the 50s, with renowned explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau as its founding president. CMAS offers several training programs, such as recreational diving, snorkeling, specialty diving, technical diving, and leadership diving with specialty grades. CMAS is recognized by international organizations, such as the Olympic, The World Games, Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), UNESCO, and International University Sports Federation (FISU).

The WBA dive training is geared towards CMAS One Star Diver certification (also known as CMAS* diver or CMAS*). CMAS defines a one-star diver as one “who is competent in the safe and correct use of all appropriate open-water scuba diving equipment in a sheltered water training area and is ready to gain open-water diving experience in the company of an experienced diver”.

The academics part of one-star diver training program covers the selection, purpose, and function of diving equipment; the purpose and use of diving signals; diving physics; medical problems related to diving; use of dive tables and dive computers; the function and use of scuba equipment; the mechanisms of respiration and circulation; the use of buoyancy devices; comparison and selection of diving suits and ancillary equipment; methods for care and maintenance of equipment; accident prevention, self-rescue and buddy rescue – including the theory of emergency ascent, towing, expired air ventilation and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; diving procedures, the role of the dive leader, the importance of planning and preparation; and the selection of dive sites, the effect of weather and tides, hazards, the importance of conservation. 

The practicum side of one-star diver training program covers assembly and fitting of scuba equipment; entry and exit; surface swimming with full scuba equipment; proper weighting, buoyancy; clearing and replacing mask and mouthpiece; out-of-air emergency procedures, using a secondary air supply; controlled buoyant lift; diver assistance techniques, towing and landing a casualty; employing expired air ventilation and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; underwater removal and replacement of scuba and ballast systems; and simple under-water navigation. Practicum includes confined and open water dives.

For the 22 WBA trainees, lectures will be at the La Azotea, Garden Orchids Hotel; confined water practicum at the hotel's swimming pool; and the open water practicum will be at the Simariki Ancestral Domain. Written and practical assessment will be on the last day of training and passers will be issued the CMAS one-star dive certificate and identification card.

WBA is the first inter-LGU cooperation in Basilan Province and is being capacitated by the Spanish aid agency AECID-funded MILAB 2 Project, implemented by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in partnership with the provincial and selected municipal governments.