Getting Into the Commercial Scuba Diving Industry

by Jeremy
(Idaho Falls, Idaho)

Jim,

As per our earlier conversation, I just wanted to get some information from you and your readers about possibly getting into the Dive Industry as a career.

I'm currently not certified nor have I ever been scuba diving. I'm not too concernced about the hazards of the sport as I'm an adventerous person and enjoy doing things out of the norm. About the only thing that would keep me from doing such work would be a physical problem that would prevent me from diving.

That being said, my interest in the field has come from a friend of mine who became a commercial diver about 12 years ago. He works inland and travels all over the mid-west. I know he scuba certified, but I think when he dives he does it using a top-side feed into a diving hat. He suggested going to school in commercial diving, but now that The Gulf is in ruins and under a no-drill order from the government I'm wondering what the future holds for that type of work.

Basically, I just want to find out what kind of jobs are out there, how hard it is to find a job, locations, and $$$ that can be made diving.

Any information would be great!

Thank you,
Jeremy

Answer:

Hi Jeremy,

If you are looking for a challenging job to go along with your adventerous spirit, then a commercial diving career might be just what you are looking for. The work is hard and demanding (as I'm sure your friend has told you), but the personal satisfaction that you can get from commercial diving jobs makes it all worthwhile.

I know there are some problems in the Gulf right now, but that's not the only place you can find commercial diving jobs. Where ever there is marine construction, there will be a need for divers. Take the expansion project for the Panama Canal. There will be a lot of commercial diving employment opportunities when that project kicks off. And that is only one example.

When you think of commercial diving, the first picture that usually pops into your head is that of the hard-hatted diver working on the rigs and pipe lines of the oil industry. This is only one type of commercial diving job. You can find scuba divers doing scientific research, working with the media, military and the police.

The first thing for you to do is decide on what type of commercial diving jobs interest you the most. With all the job opportunities available, this will not be easy.

Once you decide on your area of interest, it's time to look for a good commercial diving school. There are hundreds of schools to chose from. The things you what to consider are: the quality of training, location and does it fit your pocket book.

I hope this information has answered most of your questions. I have more detailed information about commercial training, more job opportunities that are available and information on what is a good comercail divng salary. You can find this information in the section on scuba diving jobs.

Cheers,

Jim