in need of direction

[keebler29]

Hello, this is my first posting. I live in Michigan and am looking for a career in commercial diving. I'm looking to go to the ocean corp. in Houston Tx. I'm a recovering addict with about four months clean. This is all new to me and I would like to know if there are other schools that are in the Great lakes region. Someone at a meeting told me about becoming a merchant marine. Do they need someone to maintain the ships? My family's all here in Michigan. I've never dived in my life. Is this irrational or rational? I would think that becoming a commercial diver would be exciting and adventerous, two things that i've loved all my life. Plus I'm addicted to adreniline. I'd rather do something productive with my life, rather than destroy it. Anyone out there with a simular story please let me know how it was for you. Or anyone who has any helpful suggestions or advice please let me know. Thank You. Me

 

[DandyDon]

And congratualtions on your sobriety as well. I've had many friends go thru that, been to a few of the meetings as a guest, know some of the stores. Keeping busy would be great for your recovery I suppose, but I cannot help you with the commercial diving ideas. Hope you find what you're seeking around the forums here...

:cowboy2: don

 

[pasley]

... Plus I'm addicted to adreniline. I'd rather do something productive with my life, rather than destroy it. ...:

Congratulations on turning your life around. I am not a commercial diver. I will say that diving and "addicted to adrenaline" are probably not a good mix. Diving is about relaxation not the adrenaline rush and is not the place to be taking risk.

I would also caution that many schools, including commercial diving schools are selling a product and often make claims that are support only by the exception and not the rule. Do some research at the local library in the government reports and see what the average wage is for a commercial diver in the USA. From what I have read and from talking to some former commercial divers it is hard dangerous work, with fairly low pay in most places and in very dangerous conditions. I would recommend a long hard look at the realistic pay (I know the schools talk about big money, but from what I hear that is only a few sites) and the injury rate and long term health consequences of commercial diving are somthing to be considered. I recall one story about a guy who quite at $60,000 a year job, paid $35,000 for his training and landed a $25,000 a year job diving.

What ever you do, be careful and good luck to you.

 

[Barracuda2]

Hello, this is my first posting. I live in Michigan and am looking for a career in commercial diving. I'm looking to go to the ocean corp. in Houston Tx. I'm a recovering addict with about four months clean. This is all new to me and I would like to know if there are other schools that are in the Great lakes region. Someone at a meeting told me about becoming a merchant marine. Do they need someone to maintain the ships? My family's all here in Michigan. I've never dived in my life. Is this irrational or rational? I would think that becoming a commercial diver would be exciting and adventerous, two things that i've loved all my life. Plus I'm addicted to adreniline. I'd rather do something productive with my life, rather than destroy it. Anyone out there with a simular story please let me know how it was for you. Or anyone who has any helpful suggestions or advice please let me know. Thank You. Me

Keebler29,

My suggestion would be to take one step at a time in the diving world. As you are recovering, I'm sure you are doing that one day at a time. Find a good dive instructor in your area and ask him if you could do a "Discover diving" experience. Under close supervision in a pool, he'll allow you to experience the use of scuba. Then if that peaks your interests, take a certification course. Your open water part of this course will really tell you whether you're "into" this activity. You then need to spend a lot of time gaining experience at the recreational level of diving and after that make the decision to go advanced and then possibly to a commercial school. A quick decision without research and prior experience could be a very expensive mistake. Good luck in your future and stay the course.

My $.02 - Barracuda2

 

[crpntr133]

Not trying to bust your bubble but commercial diving probably isn't what you think it is. I have talked to a couple and it isn't a full time job unless you have major experience. As mentioned earlier it is rough, dangerous and nasty. Also you don't just jump in and go diving you have to start at the bottom with the rest of us and work your way to the commercial diving portion.
If you have that much time and money then by all means go for it. I don't think it is something that you should take light hearted and if you do you could loose more than just a lot of money.

Merchant Marines...they are still around?? If I am thinking right they are a indirect branch of the military.

As far as more info on schools in your area. Go to a book store and look for dive magazines. There are several commercal diver schools that advertise.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Exciting and adventerous, hmmm. I've read some of the comments by commercial divers here and I'm wondering if you would consider diving in a wastewater treatment plant an adventure. Like the others have said it's not a glamorous job but someone has to get into that pit and fix the broken pump. You're starting in the right direction by asking questions. Good luck in your search!
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[El Orans]

Hello &
welcome (Scub)aBoard! :balloon
Seems like you already got some good advice.

Laurens

 

[Matt the Aquaman]

Welcome to Scuba Board keebler29! It’s a good place to go if you are into diving. I enjoy being here. There have been so many people that have offered advice regarding my dream. I hope your question gets answered too. and Safe Diving from Matt. :jump013:

:balloon
Click here to greet a new member!
No experience needed and it feels great!​

 

[SubMariner]

Moved from Introductions & Greets forum.

 

[diverbrian]

Hello, this is my first posting. I live in Michigan and am looking for a career in commercial diving. I'm looking to go to the ocean corp. in Houston Tx. I'm a recovering addict with about four months clean. This is all new to me and I would like to know if there are other schools that are in the Great lakes region. Someone at a meeting told me about becoming a merchant marine. Do they need someone to maintain the ships? My family's all here in Michigan. I've never dived in my life. Is this irrational or rational? I would think that becoming a commercial diver would be exciting and adventerous, two things that i've loved all my life. Plus I'm addicted to adreniline. I'd rather do something productive with my life, rather than destroy it. Anyone out there with a simular story please let me know how it was for you. Or anyone who has any helpful suggestions or advice please let me know. Thank You. Me

Where in Michigan do you live? I am sure that someone could direct to a good OW instructor for you start your life in diving one step at a time. Just be careful about that addicted to adreneline deal. Many dive instructors have little desire to deal with someone that may be a hazard to themselves.

On the other hand, maybe diving will teach you a little more about taking things slow and enjoying the things that your higher power has put in front of you. Without being melodramatic, when I took up diving I had a step change in my life that was like starting over.

Baby steps and welcome! We are glad to have you.