Careers 101 - Commercial Scuba Diving Careers
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Water, Water, Everywhere....
Scuba diving. A subject near and dear to my heart. I was a Dive Master for several years. I also have my Rescue Diving certification. I've let my Dive Master Certification lapse, however, and haven't been in the water in several years, but it still calls to me. A lot!
Scuba diving for recreation is amazing exercise. Scuba diving is putting yourself in an environment that inspires awe and a high level of respect for elements that are totally out of your control.
I dove mainly in the Pacific Northwest, in Puget Sound and frequently in the San Juan Islands. The water temperature, currently 52, fluctuates about 5 degrees year around, is slightly murky in warm weather, with plankton blooms, clearer in the winter. Nothing like diving in the tropical regions. The currents are fast, and unpredictable. In the San Juan Islands, there are areas where multiple currents collide and you HAVE to understand these, and be more than prepared physically and mentally.
I was lucky enough to work with some of the best instructors in the area, as their dive master for classes. There were some scary moments when students thought they could handle elements they weren't experienced enough to handle. I had to chase more than one student who got caught in currents off of rock walls. It's a fascinating world, but recreation diving isn't commercial diving.
Educational Requirements
Commercial diving is a whole different animal. It's a physically, mentally, emotionally challenging occupation. Some of the education can be acquired through schooling at a Commercial Diving school, some can be obtained through an on-the-job training program many companies offer. To obtain an on the job training program, most companies require extensive prior experience and/or education. They aren't going to take a weekend diver and put a cutting torch in their hands and drop them to -200 feet to repair an oil line, or the hull of a ship in high seas. There are some jobs that are so specialized there are only a handful of individuals world-wide capable and available to perform.
Commercial diving schools will teach you the physics and physiology of the underwater environment, how it effects the human body (compression, nitrous oxide absorption, etc.)
Physical Demands - Are you fit to dive?
Commercial divers have a extremely demanding career, requiring a high degree of psychological and physical fitness. You have to keep yourself in top condition. You need to pass a long list of medical examinations to be approved by the Medical Examiner of Divers (AMED) before you can even begin to start training.
These conditions will be checked in the examination. If you fail to pass, you won't be accepted in the diving programs, or restricted in the types of training you'll be allowed into:
- Heart and Circulation: High/low blood pressure. Condition of your heart, including angina, chest pains, irregular heart beats.
- Condition of your lungs, including oxygen uptake. Asthma, smoking, history of pneumonia
- Stomach or intestinal conditions.
- Upper respiratory conditions: Ear, nose, throat, sinus conditions. Diving puts A LOT of pressure on your sinuses.
- Psychological stability: Mental health - Claustrophobia is a major one you'll deal with in diving. Water pressure at depth gives you a serious "closed-in" feeling.
- Neurological examinations: Checking for conditions like epilepsy, motion sickness, inner ear imbalances. Blackouts or fainting spells.
- Conditions or diseases of the head: Headaches, migraines, strokes, multiple sclerosis.
- Injuries to the body, including but not limited to: Head, neck, spine, joints, arthritis.
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy – A diver who is pregnant or who suspects she may be pregnant should not dive.
Career Pitfalls - "I signed up for this?"
"To say there are hazards seems unnecessary, but I'll say it anyway. There are hazards!!! You are breathing oxygen/mixed air underwater, in currents, at great depths. I've been down to 120 feet. The gravitational pressure on the human body at the surface is 14.7 pounds per square inch (ambient pressure). At 33 feet ambient pressure doubles. At 120 feet it's more than four times.
So let's talk about the "bends." A nice little term for a very nasty, and potentially deadly condition.
Decompression illness ('the bends") is a term that describes what happens when nitrogen that has built up in the tissues of the body (pressure builds them up and holds them in) are released into the circulatory system. There are many variables involved in the amounts of nitrogen that the body can hold "in solution". Body mass-fat/muscle is a big one. A decrease in pressure will release these molecules at a high rate, the body cannot eliminate them through respiration fast enough and so they rise to the highest points of the body.
Can you say 'joints', 'eyes', 'BRAIN'??
Another is bone necrosis or in fancy pants terms; "Dysbaric Osteonecrosis". Don't you feel smarter just saying it? Astronauts have similar issues with bone degeneration due to extended periods in a gravity-free atmosphere. It's a degeneration of bone tissue similar to osteoporosis, but more aggressive.
Job Opportunities! Pack Your Bags!
So you made it through the last section and you still want to be a commercial diver. I say "Bravo!" If you get in, you'll be a member of a select 'fraternity' of men and women who I have a lot of respect for. So what can you do as a commercial diver? The field is wide open, but if you're living in an area that has no water, no dams, you'll probably have to look forward to moving.
Here are a few of the many jobs for Commercial Divers.
Diver Medic Specialist programs.
Underwater Welding: air and mixed gas specialists.
Underwater Riggers:
Underwater Burning Specialist.
Diving instructors (NAUI and PADI certifications)
Topside Welding Specialists.
Underwater Construction
Hyperbaric Chambers.
Underwater Inspections.
Inland or Inshore Diving (as support to civil engineering).
Salvage Diving.
Wreck Diving.
Treasure Hunting.
Rescue Diving.
Police or Armed Services Diving.
Tourism Industry.
It's All In The Physics!
Time to learn your 'laws', Charle's Law, Boyle's Law, Henry's Law.. "Volume, pressure, and density"
Then remember Murphy's Law!
Get out there! Go for it!!
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Ag! Wow that was quick! Diving was a huge passion for me for many years, and I've been wanting to share it for a while. This is different, entirely, from the recreational diving I did. I'm hoping this will give some insight to the job, the requirements, the potential this career can provide, for the right persons. Thank you for all your help! *Hugs!*
I must say Candie I am very impressed, one by the fact you were a Dive Master and two by the quality of this hub. I have been snorkelling in the South China Sea I am not a good swimmer and I like to be able to put my feet down and for my head to pop up out of the water otherwise I have a tendency to panic and sink. Lol
My husband and friends would all have the tanks and dive off the coral reefs while I would float about on top of the reef that was only under a few feet of water. It was like swimming in a tropical fish tank with all the beautiful tropical fish. The corals were amazing all different types very pretty and colourful and the water was like swimming in a warm bath which suited me fine as I am not a big fan of cold water.
I must admit I don’t think I could handle anything like diving proper I nearly freaked out the first time I put on a face mask and snorkel the sound of my own breathing nearly sent me into hyperventilation lol it felt a bit claustrophobic though it was soon not a problem as the beauty of the reef soon distracted me from listening to my own breathing.
Now look what you have done took me back over forty years to beautiful memories, thanks Candie you’re the best.
Hey Maggs! Boy can I relate to your panic! My first time in a class in the pool, I panicked too. Breathing underwater was an odd, scary, surreal experience for me and I had to stand up to catch my breath! But once I settled down, I was hooked. We dove everyday, heat, snow, current changes, and four to five times on weekends, for years!
I've always wanted to dive in the tropical waters, with the beauty you got to see. Diving in our waters was more about testing my 'grit', but there is a beauty to our waters. A lot of the places are in pilings, with the sea anemone, crabbing, scallops, abalone, geoducks, ling cod, perch and hours of good eating afterwords.
I couldn't go into all of what it means to me, or what I've learned, but it brought back dozens of memories for me as well. I'm thrilled you enjoyed this! Thank you for your comments, your friendship and your heart. Love ya Maggs!
Great pictures!
I've always been fond of divers and the world's they explore. For a number of years my favorite television show was "Deep Sea Detectives." As a kid, I often watched divers explore the sea and various fish life on the Discovery Channel.
Some day I'd love to get into scuba, and check it out for myself. The vicarious thing just only works so far. Nice to learn something new about you--always full of surprises!
Osci! I remember growing up on "Sea Hunt" and 'swimming' around the area rugs in the living room. Not quite the same thing, but it was real to us! I would like to say everyone should try it twice. Once to get the nerves out, two to get the feel of floating, and the freedom, and something new to see around every clump of kelp... but I know most would rather do as you do.. watch. +
You are a whiz with computers and imagination in a way I can only watch in awe, so I think that makes us even! I'll be back to your corners here soon. Miss ya bunches!
thought diving was diving, little do I know . fascinating hub, how long does it take to become a commercial diver? Not for me, just outa curiosity.
Hawkes! Completely different! You should look into it for yourself! Maybe you could get a job on an oil rig off the Bering Sea in Alaska? How long it takes totally depends on the specialties 'you' want to get into, what you've already learned on other jobs, how much time you put into schooling. It's not one of the "learn in your spare time" type careers. You're a gritty kinda girl, you should look into it! Oh, by the way - how do you look in a diving helmet? Talk about 'hat hair!' LOLOL!!!
Very interesting to say the least..A woman of many talents...
My oldest, son is a scuba diver (recreational)I am guessing aand he loves it. Scares me to death and I worry every time he says he is going and he has dived in many countries, which scares me even more.
Have enjoyed abalone, lobsters and many other special things from the sea. Great hub my dear...see ya tomorrow...:O) Hugs G-Ma
It's our birthday girl! G-Ma! I don't think a mom ever stops worrying.. that's what I'm discovering, anyway. He is blessed to have a mom like you, indeed! It's one thing to dive stupid, but diving smart, and with at least 2 buddies, there is greater safety. I'm so excited about tomorrow! By the way.. it's my treat! Happy Birthday G-Ma!!
Wow.... Visions of Candie Girl in her mermaid tail and knitted teacosy diving helmet... Ummmmmm Bubble-Trouble at her best! How on earth did you find dive buddies in that setup? lol. This is an excellent hub Candie. Great writing mate. A profession that can take someone all over the world in a well paid career. Hope all is well with you and you get a chance to dive the sort of reefs and dropoffs that we have in NZ.
Pearldiver! I would love to come explore the reefs of NZ!! Are you offering to be my dive buddy?? I only put my life in the hands of the best!! This hub was a lot of fun to write, and I hope it inspires someone out there to take the chance and go for it!
Oh, and the mermaid tail... it glows in the dark!!
Candie Girl... We have the most amazing reserves here along with seriously well planned (and unplanned) wreck sites in locations specifically for diving. I know that the name and role of a Pearldiver is a contentious one; but it probably gives a clue as to my preferred playgrounds lol. Oh.. Glow in the Dark? Ummmm... wiggle over here and bring an u/w camera..... You'll always have a dive buddy or three here mate. Take care with your air.
Oh yes... this is a very good hub again.
Pearldiver!! I am so looking forward to getting the chance to dive there, dive with you!!! One of these days and I'm there!!! Thank you!!
Candie V, I am a 19 yr old teen born and raised in Fl, I love the water but have only snorkled, never dived, i want to pursue a career in diving and came across this forum and am thrilled at what I have read but I do not know where to start, any suggestions?
Hey WhatThe?!! Glad you stopped by.. there should be a lot of links to Commercial Diving Schools in here, or on the web, that would be the best way to start your search for information. Good luck and let me know what happens!
Hey there little red riding hood... your hub sure is looking good... yer everything that a Big Bad Wolf could want...
Nicely Done... I'm a Biker, wanna be diver, that the medics refused. Seems Biking was bad for my diving career. Again my compliments and congrats on 10,000 viewers.
Mikel! Many thanks for the congrats.. amazes me!! Sorry to hear that you couldn't make it with the medic career, that would have been an amazing path! Ah, biking claims another career victim.. shame. I'm blushing over the BBW comment.. maybe I'll find one one day??
Candie,
You amaze me! So now I know that you were a Dive Master with a glowing mermaid tail. Seriously...great hub!!! Hope you get to those warm tropical waters someday and dive to your heart's content.
Ah Peggy, you really know how to get to my heart! I have my mermaid tail in storage at the moment, but one day... one day.. I will get my feet wet in warm water, not the cold water we have in Washington State. To dive riding the currents, explore kelp beds in murky water is a great joy, but the reefs of Australia call to me now!! Thank you for making me smile a bit today!!
I am a dive master myself and i was once (i am still, a little bit,lol) interested in pursuing my career to commercial diving. I am not afraid to try to be one, but the fact is, i am afraid that women are not welcome into the industry, or not having any job placement once i graduated from commercial school. So i really don't have any idea if i should go for it or not.
Hey Joy! It would be nice to think women were judged on "merit" and not their sex.. but as with all 'male lead careers' (firefighting, military, etc) you may find some men will and some will not work with women. If you have companies in your area I would say to make an appt and drop in to speak to them, see how they react. If you don't have them, send some emails to a few and ask. You never know! Go for it just the same and find a place for you! Good luck!
I have to say, as I started to read through I thought these people like to kiss a*s, turns out the more I read, the I wanted to also. Have spent my morning pooring over info and comments. Brilliant.
I've just started my Commercial Dive career, recreational wasn't a career, more a lifestyle, for me personally.
I have no problem working with women, the last posts interested me alot. Coming from a physical sports background, women have to compete in their own league. But where knowlege and experience counts for so much, I think you gals can handle Commercial Diving just fine. Be ready to jump physical hurdles tho!
Can't wait to work next to women. They could make my day even more interesting ;)
Ah! Magic11 welcome!
Thank you for the comments and for being willing (anxious even) to work with women. Not all men are. You are right, women have to be able to hold their end up. All team members HAVE to trust their fellow members are able to perform at top abilities (men and women alike)! Congrats on starting this career I sure wish you the best! Please stop back and let me know how it's going and where it takes you!
I'm completely jealous! Cheers!
For now working locally, but have always wanted to do salvage work in the Caribbean or around Asia. Love building small boats and love diving, I'm sure there is a place for me in this world.
Girls are always on my mind, that and the job I'm doing. So maybe girls in our crew wouldn't work, especially next to me ;)
In all seriousness, I think I'd find my job easier if I could multi task. So go for it ladies, you have it made in that department :P
Well there ya go ladies! Magic11 likes to mix business and pleasure! Hahaha!
There is a place in this world for ya, like I told Joy, make your own place! Love that you build boats, that's one thing about the area I live it.. there are some amazing boat building shops and the level of craftsmanship is stellar, the wooden are my favorite! I would have enjoyed salvage work, as well. I'm horrid with wreck dives (tight spaces freak me).
I'll mix pleasure in whenever I can ;)
This is almost like a good chat now, isn't downtime fun.
I like tight spaces. I'm not a small man either but I have no problems, being fit and flexible helps alot.
Wooden boats are fantastic. I'd love to spend days strolling around workshops where these artists that you talk about work their magic.
This site is great, so much better than watching DVDs and eating terribly. Now I'm eating terribly and talking deep blue!
Hahahaha! Shoot.. shucks and I'm blushing! Better than movies? hmmm... Hahahaha!
I love the smell of woodworking, the sawdust and sounds of hand planers! Sweet! There's a shop in Pt. Hadlock that makes beautiful wooden boats http://www.nwboatschool.org/. There's also a great site for all things wooden boats http://www.woodenboat.org/ you should check out if you're even in this area!
Stumbled across your page and got caught up reading the posts. Brought back to the early 70's diving off Rakino Island in NZ Nth Island - Man those were the days. Jack Jeffs was the local caretaker out on Rakino and boy could he brew a mean cup of tea - not to mention the odd cup of muld wine on a cold winters night
Great read - great meories
CCBN! Fantastic to see a new face! Sounds like fantastic times! Thrilled I was able to make you smile and remember some great times with Jack - sounds like he was quite the personality! Thank you for stopping in and leaving me a note, come back any time!
I admire you for learning to scuba dive - I admit I am terrified of even giving it a try. I know it's a beautiful world down there - please take pictures for those of us who can't dare try it! Voted up, awesome, useful and interesting!
Wow! So very grateful for the votes and encouragement! One of these days I'll get wet again.. and provide you with pictures! Suddenly I wish I could right now!!
Hi Candie V... great hub and I read it with interest as it has always been a passion of mine as well. I trained at several levels and maintained a small commercial business here on the prairies. Mainly recovery work for the RCMP. Not the greatest work but I looked at it as a service.
Very well put together and indeed packed with information.
Hugs from Canada
Hugs Rolly! Thanks for the visit! Have you ever gotten to dive in salt water or mainly inland? Appreciate you views on this - was hoping I covered it all!
agvulpes Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
Candie V who would have guessed that you where a Qualified diver. I must say that underneath that veneer of fun there lies an woman of adventure. I am very impressed!!!
I love the hub information . Anyone who is looking to making diving a career should read this. Thumbs up! :-)