To be certified to work as a deep sea diver, you must complete commercial diver training. This training prepares you for the physically and mentally challenging world of commercial diving jobs. The training is tough and performed in some very hostile environments, but the rewards from all the hard work are very generous.
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There are a variety of commercial diving schools that offer training to become a deep sea diver. Here are some things to consider when looking for a commercial diving school.
What are the entrance requirements
Does the training program meet my career needs
How much will the training cost
When does training start and how long will it last
What subjects will be covered in the course
What commercial diving certification does the school offer
Is the school accredited and is financial aid available
Will the school help me get a job after graduation
What kind of salary can I expect to earn
It is a challenge to find a school that offers the best training package for you. Here are some tips that will help you make this important choice.
Selecting a Commercial Diving School
The entry requirements to get into most commercial diving schools are not too difficult. There are age requirements to make sure students are over 18 years of age. Students will have to show a high school diploma or equivalency and pass a diving physical. These are the basic requirements to start commercial diver training. Good swimming skills, strong physical stamina, some mechanical ability and the desire to work hard and take on difficult challenges are also traits students need to have in order to succeed in training.
It is important to find a school that meets your career needs. Commercial diving schools may specialize in many different underwater activities like underwater welding, underwater marine salvage or search and repair. Look for a school that offers courses that interest you.
Training is usually offered by private commercial diving schools. It is also possible to get an associates degree in commercial diving as part of a two-year college program.
One thing that concerns most people when considering commercial diver training is, "How much will it cost?" For most entry level commercial diver certification you can plan on spending $6000.00 to $8000.00. Most commercial diving schools offer advanced training beyond the basic level. This training can cost as much as $15,000.00 to $20,000.00. This cost should cover the cost of the course and all related equipment used during the course.
Find a commercial diving school that is federally accredited. This will allow you to apply for financial aid. Some commercial diving companies will reimburse divers for the cost of their training.
It takes about eight weeks to complete a basic commercial diver training. With advanced training the course can last four to twelve months.
The type of certification you receive will depend on the country where you take you training. The standards for commercial diving are set by the Association of Commercial Diving Contractors. This organization has over 500 member companies from 41 countries around the world. Each country will require addition certification for commercial diving employment.
Most commercial diving schools will have a commercial diving employment program that will help graduates find diving jobs after they complete their training.
Training Program
Commercial diving schools will have their training divided into two parts, theory and practical. Theory takes place in the classroom and covers subjects that are essential to deep sea diving. The training program will include topics like...
Diving physics
Decompression tables and procedures
Physiology
Diving diseases
Treatment of diving injuries
First aid and CPR
Seamanship
Standards of Commercial Diving
Reading blueprints and report writing
Out of the classroom and into the water. This is everyone's favorite part of the course. The in-water training starts with basic skills like learning how to move underwater in commercial diving equipment, managing their breathing equipment and underwater communications with dive team members.
After students master the basics skills, they start learning more advanced skills like underwater welding and cutting, saturation diving, tri-mix diving and underwater marine salvage.
This type of underwater training can take place in a variety of open-water conditions. Training could take place in a dirty river with lots of swift current or in places that offer some serious depth (around 500 feet or 156 meters).
After all the theory and practical work there is just one more thing to do. That is to pass the final exam. It is given in two parts. A written exam will test the student's knowledge of the Standards of Commercial Diving, safety regulations and laws governing commercial diving.
During the diving part of the exam the student will show they are able to maneuver underwater with their dive gear and working equipment, perform proper descents and ascents and show they can communicate properly while diving.
Commercial diver training is definitely tough and demanding. It prepares you for jobs that are unlike any other job in the world. Many choose a career in commercial diving because of the generous rewards. Commercial diving salaries start at around $40,000.00 a year. An experienced and seasoned commercial diver can earn $100,000.00 to $150,000.00 a year.
Commercial diver training teaches a variety of underwater skills. These skills are used by the deep sea diver working in cold, inky blackness 500 feet below the surface.
Whether it is for the big money or the big adventure, commercial diver training is what you need in order to work as a deep sea diver.
