How to Become a Commercial Diver
A commercial diver takes their love of Scuba one step further. Instead of just casually cruising over reefs or sightseeing under the waves, a commercial diver learns practical skills that can be put to use in a variety of ways. Bridge building and repair, underwater pipelining, industrial construction and even search and rescue are just a few of the things you can look forward to when you become a commercial diver.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
-
-
1
Complete all of your preliminary, mandatory training. Newer divers and those who are mere enthusiasts will need to complete training courses that make them competent in a wide range of disciplines, from emergency diving procedures to deep diving. Diving schools and even diving stores in your area can provide you with the training you need.
-
2
Choose the area of expertise you'd like to focus on to become a commercial diver. Are you interested in salvage? Would you like to work in construction and repair? Does rescue diving appeal to you? Each discipline has it's own course of study, which you need to complete before you can be tested for a license.
-
3
Plan on a commitment to training of at least 4 months, or longer if you're learning highly specialized skills. In addition, understand that classes for individuals are rare (and very expensive), so you'll want to join a class with a set schedule.
-
4
Complete a First-Aid training course that awards you certification. Many states require commercial divers to have such certification.
-
5
Learn secondary skills that can help you find a more lucrative commercial diving career. For example, learning how to handle standard and underwater explosives opens a lot of new career paths, particularly in the oil industry.
-
6
Head to the Commercial Diving Academy--one of the nation's best known commercial diving instruction facilities (see Resources below). Thousands of students have gone on to high-paying jobs after training under their experienced team of instructors.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Get your training in the Navy. Navy divers are considered immediately qualified for the majority of the most demanding, most lucrative diving jobs available. Naval certification applies in the civilian market too, so it's easier to get a job once you are discharged.
Be aware that when you become a commercial diver your age will become a factor in your ability to work sooner than it would in other industries. Most commercial divers retire in their late 40s or early 50s.
Speak to your doctor about your health before you entertain the idea of becoming a commercial diver.
Related Searches
Resources
Comments
-
hannahfizell
Apr 19, 2010
Hello "Working Diver" can you help me? I want to become a Wildlife Photographer and Scuba Diver. Can you give me the correct information and how I can go about persuing this career? Thanks. -Hannah Fizell -
workingdiver
Sep 03, 2009
I have been Commercial Diving for over 15 years and I will tell you this article is a joke written by someone who knows nothing about the industry. First check out the FACTS: OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart T and you will find OSHA stating "No commercial diver-licensing programs exist in the United States". So if you want to pony up $15k-$25k to go to a "Commercial Dive School" and get a job as a tender on a rig making $8-$10 per hour until you break out after a year or two (start diving) then go for it tough guy. Soon you will find that the only thing you learned at your little dive school is you wasted your money. Offshore is mainly for drunks, only met a few decent guys in the fields, the rest should be kept out there by law; and inland is quicker to break out, but less money. The ADC is a joke as well and most real divers who have been in the industry as long as I have know the ADC's da...
