On the 28th of September 1958, delegates from the following Federations: Federal Republic of Germany, Belgium, Brazil, France, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Portugal, Switzerland, the United States of America and Yugoslavia met in Brussels on the occasion of the congress of the independent International Confederation gathering all underwater disciplines.

 With this aim, a meeting was held in Monaco on January 9, 10 and 11, 1959 and a decision to establish the "World Confederation of Underwater Activities" in brief  "C.M.A.S.", was taken.

 This Confederation succeeded, specifically in regard to all functions and responsibilities, the "Comité des Sports Sous-Marins" (Underwater Sports Committee) of the International Confederation of Sport Fishing founded on the 22nd of February 1952.

 C.M.A.S. (Confederation Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques) is the only world diving organization composed of some 14,000 diving clubs, plus than 100 national federations and some 4.5 million divers.

 It unifies criteria and regulations involving underwater activities, in accordance with the individual legislation of its members.

 C.M.A.S. international certifications cards are issued by equivalence in more than 100 countries and at all levels, for both divers and instructors. The certification notes the following benefits:

* Global acceptance and international recognition
* Allowance to dive in countries where authorization is needed
* Ability to rent equipment and refill cylinders abroad
* Ease in joining international diving groups