Commercial Divers expend significant time, energy, and money on rigorous training programmes that qualify them to conduct a wide range of underwater operations in challenging and often hazardous environments. Continue Reading
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Explore Career What are the typical responsibilities of a Commercial Diver?
A Commercial Diver would typically need to:
The work environment of a Commercial Diver depends on the industry, their speciality and specific job description. You may find yourself working on offshore oil rigs, freshwater bodies, or sewers.
Offshore diving involves working under cold and dark waters for prolonged periods. Rough seas, strong currents, and unpredictable weather conditions are common features of the job. Often, you may live and work on diving support vessels located far out at sea.
Inland Commercial Divers may work on underwater construction sites or infrastructure inspection and maintenance projects in freshwater rivers, lakes, or dams. You may need to navigate through submerged structures, work in confined spaces or conduct underwater surveys. Low visibility and fluctuating water levels deserve constant attention.
Unlike most divers, HAZMAT divers work in toxic bodies of water contaminated by sewage, nuclear waste, oil sludge, or liquid cement.
Offshore Commercial Divers may need to travel internationally.
The work schedules of Commercial Divers also vary widely, based on the employer and field of commercial diving. Some work normal eight-hour days, while others may put in close to twelve hours daily. Some jobs require working on weekends and holidays, while others need the divers to be on call 24/7.
Offshore commercial diving may mandate working at sea for two to six weeks at a stretch, while online and contract work may allow divers to return home at the end of their work day.
You may spend two to four hours underwater at a time, followed by two to four hours of decompression to prevent compression-related symptoms, although your dive time and depth would be deciding factors.
Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Commercial Divers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Commercial Divers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), are crucial for Commercial Divers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.
Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
Commercial Divers will benefit from tasks outside the classroom that align perfectly with lessons inside it. One may hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.
During their training, students learn about underwater navigation, communication, welding, cutting, and salvage. The practical sessions also include lessons on using diving equipment, underwater propulsion vehicles, and underwater robots.
Entry-level roles, internships or apprenticeships with commercial diving companies offer a taste of the career, help build valuable contacts and improve one’s prospects of getting a permanent job.
Many divers enter the field as assistants or tenders who help experienced divers prepare for expeditions. Although requisite work experience may differ based on one’s employer, type of diving, and jurisdiction, most employers require applicants to have anywhere from 100 to 500 dives logged during diving training programmes and recreational diving activities.
If available, volunteer for commercial diving projects or enrol in training programmes that include highly advantageous surface-supplied diving experience; participants learn how to use an umbilical line to provide breathing gas and communications from the surface.
The experience may also help determine whether the public, private or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable work placements, internships and voluntary work opportunities in diverse sectors.
Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community that can help you connect your school experiences with real-life commercial diving.
Join the swim team and sports clubs to improve cardiovascular endurance, strength, stamina, and flexibility. Take woodworking and metalworking classes to develop mechanical and technical skills for handling various underwater tools and equipment.
Enrol in a reputable scuba diving programme for an introductory course or certification to get a head start while developing comfort and confidence underwater. Consider taking courses and obtaining accredited certifications in first aid and CPR.
Research and identify reputable commercial diving schools and training programmes with certifications and a good track record. The research will help you decide your education and training options after high school.
Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experienced Commercial Divers or diving instructors to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers. Most professionals will be willing to offer valuable insights, advice and suggestions on preparing for a career in commercial diving.
Although one can become a Commercial Diver with just a high school diploma or its equivalent, employers generally prefer applicants with an accredited certificate or an associate or bachelor’s degree in marine technology or marine biology that includes courses in biology, physics, chemistry, and maths.
Recommended high school courses include mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, psychology, health, and physical education. The sciences and maths classes will help you better understand diving physics, physiology, and calculations.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Certification demonstrates a Diver’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
Physically-fit novices who can swim begin with the PADI (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors) or Junior Open Water Diver course.
The Association of Diving Contractors International (ACDI) also offers entry-level and commercial diver certifications. Qualification will depend on the participant’s ability to prove their knowledge of diving skills, hazard identification, safety procedures, equipment operation, and emergency response.
The Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC) offers internationally-recognised Surface-Supplied Diver, Saturation Diver, and Closed Bell Diver certifications to individuals proficient in specific diving techniques, equipment usage, and safety protocols.
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) offers Diver, Life Support Technician, and Diving Supervisor certifications as well to potential Commercial Divers who wish to master relevant diving techniques, equipment maintenance, safety management and emergency procedures.
One can also approach the globally-recognised non-profit National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) for speciality, technical, and freediving certifications, including valuable diving skills, safety practices, and rescue techniques.
Accredited certification in hyperbaric technology, first aid, and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market and carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent. Some employers may insist on a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential).
Commercial Divers must obtain a dive physical from a licensed physician, certifying their physical and mental fitness to do their job correctly. They may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, use of social media, and drug screening.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Commercial Divers who may be promoted to Operations Managers, Supervisors, or Project Managers.
Commercial Divers typically begin their careers in offshore diving projects, requiring broadly applicable skills, including welding, repair and restoration that are useful in onshore, hazmat (hazardous materials), nuclear, military, and police diving. They may also assist scientific and media divers.
Offshore diving also allows one to gain expertise in commercial diving specialities and pursue alternate underwater jobs as a Diving Instructor, Aquarium Diver, Underwater Welder, or Underwater Prospector.
Further training will allow incumbents to move into roles with additional responsibility and pay, such as Life Support Technician or Diving Supervisor. Some may opt for supplementary education in hyperbaric medicine to provide appropriate medical care to other underwater professionals.
Most employers are reluctant to hire Commercial Divers above the age of forty-five. So, interested individuals enter commercial diving at a young age and transfer their skills to a non-diving or topside position within the industry or in a related field.
Some divers may eventually open their own diving schools or equipment stores; others may freelance as contractors; still others may move to a related field, such as swimming pool engineering or maintenance, where diving skills are essential.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
Physically fit Commercial Divers with post-secondary education in marine technology or marine biology, adequate work experience, strong swimming, communication, and collaborative skills, excellent hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work well under pressure will have the best job prospects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Commercial Diver build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity,
formal education, or self-directed learning.
Consider mastering specialised techniques like saturation diving or mixed gas diving to gain access to better-paying jobs that require a judicious mix of scientific experience and practical skills.
Additional certifications in underwater welding, non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection, underwater cutting, or underwater construction skills can qualify you for specific tasks related to commercial diving.
Apply for work in different underwater environments, including offshore oil rigs, shipyards, bridges, dams, or underwater archaeological sites for comprehensive industry experience.
Stay abreast of industry trends, regulations, and safety protocols to remain relevant in your chosen profession. Make sure your safety and medical examination records continue to meet the expectations of a physically demanding and potentially hazardous occupation.
In addition to offering the opportunity to continually upskill, regardless of one’s age, job, or level of knowledge, CPD also enables the periodic renewal of desirable certifications, which increases your chances of advancement and becoming an independent consultant.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year, location, employment turnover, occupational growth, occupation size, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
Commercial diving will continue to thrive, mainly because of the heightened interest in the ocean’s resources. The need to maintain oil rigs, repair damages from hurricanes, and inspect and repair bridges and dams in the aftermath of floods will also lead to additional jobs in the field.
Other factors that positively impact growth include marine environmental control checks, seismic surveys, geological appraisals, ocean floor fibre optic cable installations, underwater salvage operations, and underwater photography and videography.
More than One Lifeline
Since the human body is negatively buoyant and sinks in water, Commercial Divers use buoyancy control devices (BCDs) and weight systems to achieve neutral buoyancy at different depths.
Large bell-shaped structures known as diving bells were one of the first underwater exploration devices that divers would descend into, using air pumped from the surface to create a breathable atmosphere.
Today, self-contained underwater breathing scuba apparatus allows divers to carry a supply of breathable air strapped to their backs. They may also use surface-supplied equipment that feeds the air to the diver through a hose above the water’s surface.
A third alternative involves diving systems that bring the diver to the floor of the water body in a decompression chamber which serves as a base and supplies air to the diver during underwater expeditions.
Why Do They Dive?
Offshore Divers work on underwater welding, maintenance, inspections and construction on oil rigs, drilling platforms, and underwater pipelines. Inland/Onshore Divers conduct bridge inspections, dam repairs, and underwater construction in inland water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, and dams.
Hazmat Divers work for nuclear power, chemical, or waste management companies to handle potentially hazardous chemical or biological materials underwater. Saturation Divers conduct deep-sea diving operations that require decompression in a hyperbaric chamber on a support vessel after work shifts.
Offshore oil and gas refineries, shipbuilders, and underwater construction companies hire Underwater Welders to join metals underwater using specialised equipment and techniques. Inspection/Non-Destructive Testing Divers assess the integrity and condition of bridges, dams, pipelines, or offshore platforms, using non-destructive testing techniques to identify defects, cracks, or areas of concern.
Scientific and marine biologists qualify in commercial diving to work on underwater research projects, conduct marine surveys, collect samples, study aquatic life, and gather data for scientific analysis.
Some Commercial Divers work as independent underwater photographers or collaborate with the media to capture images and videos of underwater scenes and marine life for documentaries, films, or commercials.
What Do They Mean?
Saturation diving entails living in a pressurised environment for an extended period.
In contrast, mixed gas diving involves using non-air gas mixtures, such as nitrox, heliox, and trimix, for deeper commercial dives.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Commercial Divers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, full-time Commercial Divers have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
Skilled professionals with an enduring affinity for water, Commercial Divers perform a wide range of water-related tasks for industries that engage in aquatic operations.
“Diving is an investment of time and money, but the rewards can be life-changing, literally.”
– Andi Cummings
The world’s deepest scuba dive was performed in 2014 by Ahmed Gabr, an Egyptian diver, who reached a depth of 1,090 feet (332 metres) in the Red Sea.
What do Commercial Divers do?
A Commercial Diver would typically need to:
Accredited
$93,800
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