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Diving

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Diving

Diving Career Details

Divers work underwater using breathing equipment on diving projects that are either inland or close to the shore (inshore), or at sea (offshore). They use their diving techniques to reach their place of work, which could be a corroded pipeline of an oil platform, a film setting, or the deck of sunken ship.

The nature of a diver’s work will depend on their experience and capabilities. Breathing gear changes with the depth of the descent and so do the safety implications. Diving is divided into four main categories:

  • SCUBA (Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) - using an air tank and flippers. This is suitable for instructors, photographers and shellfish farmers, for example.
  • Restricted Surface Supplied (inshore) - using an air line to the surface. This is suitable for divers working in inland waterways or on civil engineering projects.
  • Surface Supplied (offshore) - using a hot water suit, air line and open diving bells particularly to support construction, inspection and exploration in the oil industry
  • Closed Bell - using a diving bell and mixed gas to unlimited depths which may be used by marine scientists collecting specimens, engineers conducting surveys or nautical archaeologists.

As well as commercial, scientific, media and archaeological divers, there are also police and military divers. Police divers usually search inland waterways for missing persons or evidence, and military divers may conduct surveys or defuse underwater mines.

Some divers combine teaching with diving and become diving instructors.

Working Environment

Divers generally work long hours depending on the nature of the work although the amount of time divers are allowed to spend underwater is strictly controlled.

Many diving jobs offer short-term contract work, so flexibility, and travel, may be required to gain employment.

Working underwater is a high hazard activity and divers must be comfortable with increased pressure at the dive depth. There is generally zero visibility at lower depths and aritifical light must be used. Inland waterways are often dirty if near industrial or urban sites.

Protective clothing and breathing apparatus are worn to survive underwater. Divers may carry their own air tanks, have a line to the surface or use a diving bell. At lower depths it is important to return to the surface slowly to avoid decompression sickness, or 'the bends'. Divers working on some offshore jobs may have to live for up to 28 days in pressure chambers which simulate undersea pressure.

Diving can cause health problems, and divers must pass regular, thorough, medical examinations.

Diving Related Skills

To be a diver you should:
  • be an excellent swimmer
  • be physically fit with high levels of strength and stamina
  • be able to concentrate on a job under very demanding physical conditions
  • be able to follow safety procedures
  • be able to work both as part of a team, and alone.

Diving Career Opportunities

Nearly all divers are self-employed. They are employed in the offshore oil and gas industries, civil engineering and construction, marine and archaeological research, and film, TV and photography. Many of these opportunities are on a short-term contract basis, so you must be flexible and be prepared to travel to look for work. Diving companies tend to be centred around coastal ports and harbours.

Opportunities are available to work overseas, particularly Australia and the Indian Ocean. Qualifications may need to be upgraded to meet the requirements of each country.

As technology improves, more underwater tasks can be carried out by remote-operated vehicles (ROVs), so opportunities for divers are decreasing.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Diving related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

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