It is one of the founding members of the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS, World Confederation of Underwater Activities) created in 1959.

The federation has a delegation from the French Ministry of Sports to organize and develop scuba diving and related activities nationwide.

In 1948, the organisation was created under the title, Fédération des sociétés de pêche à la nage et d’études sous-marines (FSPNES) (federation of societies for underwater fishing and swimming).

In 1953, FGRSSM became the Fédération française des activités sous-marines (FFASM) (French federation of underwater activities).

In 1954, FFASM changed its name to the Fédération nationale française d’études et de sports sous-marins (FNFESSM) (French national federation of underwater studies and sports) in order to avoid confusion with FASM, a rival organisation with a similar name.