Commercial Diving Acadamy

[Toolbox-13]

Hello All,
I'm seriously considering a carreer in commercial Diving any imput on the Commercial Diving Acadamy in Jacksonville Florida I'm looking to start in March of 2004 any imput from all you vetrans of the Dive community would be a big help. I have been a topside welder for 20 years and I finally got certified earlier this year I'm in a position to change carreers and just can't get enough of it. Would like to combine my two favorite things Welding and Diving.

 

[pipedope]

With the companies that are using divers.

Welding underwater is big and getting bigger. The tools and materials are getting better all the time and now people are doing dry quality welds wet.

It is easier to teach a weldor to dive than it is to teach a diver to weld. So you have a leg up there.
You are a bit on the old side and will not be able to get into any saturation diving as the cutoff is 40 years of age. There is a LOT of underwater welding on ships so there really is work.

I will see if I can dig up some links that will help your research.

 

[Bob3]

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/divers3/diveinfo.htm

A couple of the links are broke, but most of them are still current.

There is a general consensus that the best bang for the buck school out there is Young Memorial in Morgan City LA.

Beware of the dreaded salesperson hype; they've been known to be worse than a used car salesman & a politician wrapped up together.
Some schools like to bag you for extra courses that you could get on the job training for.

 

[Toolbox-13]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the help does anyone have a website or phone number for the school in La that is one I havent looked into yet
Thanks for all the help

 

[Bob3]

http://www.youngmemorial.com/diving/default.htm

 

[Toolbox-13]

Thanks
Does anyone know how good the education is at the Morgan City La school? I was shocked at how much lower the course was. Hows the recreational Diving in the area as there will be alot of free time as the school is 6 months. anyone know of any good dive shops and dive boats in the area of Morgan City La

 

[Bob3]

I've sent you a PM on this one, I'll add the comments here anyway in case someone else does the search thing.

The course at Young Memorial is very good, at least as good or better than the private schools.
The main reason the $$ is so much cheaper is that they are a state sponsored educational institution & receive tax dollars to help compensate.
Recreational diving is pretty much limited to the rigs & spearfishing is usually a good option.
I'm not familiar with the sport shops in the area, but there are some good commercial diving stores there, with Jack Vilas & Associates heading the list.
If diving the rigs doesn't do it for you, your best bet is to head East; there are some decent shops in Alabama & the Florida Panhandle is just a short hop from there. Pensacola, & Panama City are within range, takes about 6 hours of driving to make it from Morgan City to Pensacola.

 

[rmediver2002]

http://www.commercialdiveschool.com/diving/default.htm

One of the most respected school out there, like Bob has already said.

The only cheaper way into commercial diving is to join the military (which I see you have already done once...)

I have recommended to folks to look into the reserves as a diver if really interested in it as a career.

Not only is the education good, you can pick up some real valuable experience and contacts working for the contractors down the road. I know Cal dive hires out of the school for one...

Destin and PC are good, someone must go out to the gardens from that area (LA / TX) though...

check out www.offshorediver.com for some more information but don't get hung up on the crap talkers...

Good Luck!!

Jeff Lane