Hello from London, UK

[Sìan48]

It depends on what you mean by commercial.

If all you want is to teach recreational diving, then work through any agency (in the U.K. if you teach for PADI et al it’s classed as commercial). From the number of new instructors produced by some of the ‘zero to hero’ factories, less than one in ten thousand will earn a decent living.

if you want to earn your primary income from commercial diving, then you need to do one of the specialist courses so you can weld, paint, etc underwater (this is what my son does). The oil industry is going to decline, but marine based wind turbines still need the anchorage and foundations checked.

When I initially wanted to do diving I did think that being an instructor would be ideal however I soon learned that it wasn’t high paying and that really a lot of the people doing it have to do it because teaching scuba is what they love and not because they wish to earn through it. The ones I have seen that do earn through it as a sole job are people that move abroad to a tropical country and ultimately don’t keep it up for long due to the cost of renewing certs or contracts and so on.

But Commercial Diving say oil rigs or even as you said, marine based is the sort I mean. Welding, painting, constructing etc. that’s where I want to be. I of course checked out the courses available and had to email ahead because I was actually really confused as to what each of the courses were for and I still don’t have a reply up to now.

 

[Sìan48]

If you want uncomplicated go the PADI route get qualified and go diving

Becoming proficient is always up to you



Is that info emanating from those that have similar features to this one

View attachment 711509




and happy diving

Yeah PADI is where I started my searches as it’s widely recognised and so the first thing that came to mind. The place I was going to go to allows you to do your OW course with either Enriched air or Dry Suit specialities for a discounted price which I have not been able to find anywhere else so far so it is still one that I’m considering as it enables me to cut the time down and get two certs for one

 

[Sìan48]

Don't worry so much about the agency. It's the instructor that matters.

Yeah I have seen quite a few say that which lead me to ask how you find the instructor before you have taken the course especially not having the contacts, but I was told to look around, explore dive spots locally and ask them or just do more research.. near me there are only 2 schools so I put it down to schools as I would have to travel out further to get a few more schools or even a specific instructor and I don’t drive currently so I’m trying to keep it as close as possible (which is an hour away)

 

[Sìan48]

I believe the ones I found where in Scotland, in Cornwall and one in the west of England I can’t remember. I figured Cornwall would be great as they have lovely water there I could also go diving in and explore the area. Scotland is Freezing so if I can put that off a little longer I will, although I will go if I can’t find anywhere else.

If only the courses were a bit clearer that would be great.

Are they all expensive no matter the country you take the course in?

 

[Edward3c]

Yeah PADI is where I started my searches as it’s widely recognised and so the first thing that came to mind. The place I was going to go to allows you to do your OW course with either Enriched air or Dry Suit specialities for a discounted price which I have not been able to find anywhere else so far so it is still one that I’m considering as it enables me to cut the time down and get two certs for one

If you did your initial training with BSAC in the UK then Drysuit, Nitrox, some navigation and livesaving are all core course skills. Once you have a diving certification no one is bothered who it was with.

PM me if you have specific questions. I'm the Hon Sec of BSAC.

 

[Sìan48]

I read someone on here say that they wished they didn’t do the dry suit and only done it as they thought they would be hiring a suit but instead they just bought their own and I’m guessing it wasn’t a required skill?

All I see is how pricy dry suits are and so it’s no wonder you would consider renting before buying. Being in cold water I guess I should look into buying one when I’m closer to that time also but as for taking the course I’m thinking nitrox is more beneficial to me?

And ok thanks I will send you a pm, I’m currently waiting for a email back from BSAC actually so would be useful to speak to you.

 

[Edward3c]

And ok thanks I will send you a pm, I’m currently waiting for a email back from BSAC actually so would be useful to speak to you.

When you say BSAC are your refering the HQ in Ellesmere Port of one of the BSAC Clubs in London?

 

[Sìan48]

It is HSAC in Hackney or Bethnal Green.. one of the clubs in East London

 

[Sìan48]

HACKNEY SUB AQUA CLUB

Your friendly London dive club since 1963

hackneysubaquaclub.wordpress.com

 

[Edward3c]

It is HSAC in Hackney or Bethnal Green.. one of the clubs in East London

Branches are run be volunteers who put differing amounts of effort into running the branch. Some very good others not so, but I would expect you to get a response within 48 hours.