possible commercial diver so many questions

[greenhorn]

Hello everyone,

I have been considering becoming a commercial diver of some type for the last 6 months. A recent lay off I think I'm ready to pull the trigger and start my training. I have searched the internet up and down and I think it would be a good career for me. I am prior service coast guard but I have no dive expierience. I am in good shape physicaly and am 25 years old. So I don't think there are any problems with qualifying with schools or employers. This post is about getting some of the questions answered that only you guys can answer. Mostly :

1. What's a great place to train.
2. Do I need to go to one of these schools?
3. What's the best area of commercial diving to get started in construction/salvage/oil rigs ?
4. Any ways you could have saved money when you got started ?
5. Anything you would tell you when you were getting started?

I would really appreciate any help your willing to give. I'm basicaly pullin everything together to make this happen. Is it worth it ?

 

[Lee Taylor]

Click here for the Diving Institute

If you talk with someone named Sergio Smith, he will get you all the answers. He is the owner/operator and will get you trained and working. I am sure there are others there that can help you.

 

[Ed L.]

In regards to #4. Make sure you are debt free and or are working towards it. Work out a budget for your income and stick to it. Yeah those few beers after work/class/school might be nice. Save the money.

 

[pittyyofool]

check out the program at santa barbara city college in CA, I understand it is just as good at the other schools and 1/8th the price!
Marine Diving Technology: Welcome to Marine Diving - Santa Barbara City College

 

[Wetsuit 4 life]

Are you thinking commercial diver surface supply or commercial diver on SCUBA?
One of the best resources on the web that i have found would be The Commercial Diving Directory

For your first question i would recommend a school that can train you in a black water environment, off shore the viz might be amazing but for on shore work your lucky if you can see 3 feet

Good luck

 

[Don Wray]

The United States Navy will train you for free.

 

[SteveC]

I would recommend getting your open water cert before you consider going any farther. You may find that diving is not for you. And if you do like it, consider that commercial diving will not resemble recreational diving in anyway.
I’m not a commercial diver by any means, but I have done a lot of low vis diving because of where I live, (Midwest) and I can tell you it’s no where near as fun as the warm clear ocean.
So before you commit a lot of money to a commercial school, get your open water cert and then do a couple of cold, dark, deep, quarry dives and see if it’s for you. You never know, you may love it.

 

[greenhorn]

Thanks for the tips everyone I appreciate it. Are there any good channels to secure work post training? I'm hoping to make some good contacts in school for this. The santa barbara school is my first choice. It doesn't seem like the public training programs have a lot of emphasis on job placement so I would like to be ready for that.

 

[dadediver]

Hello everyone,

I have been considering becoming a commercial diver of some type for the last 6 months. A recent lay off I think I'm ready to pull the trigger and start my training. I have searched the internet up and down and I think it would be a good career for me. I am prior service coast guard but I have no dive expierience. I am in good shape physicaly and am 25 years old. So I don't think there are any problems with qualifying with schools or employers. This post is about getting some of the questions answered that only you guys can answer. Mostly :

1. What's a great place to train.
2. Do I need to go to one of these schools?
3. What's the best area of commercial diving to get started in construction/salvage/oil rigs ?
4. Any ways you could have saved money when you got started ?
5. Anything you would tell you when you were getting started?

I would really appreciate any help your willing to give. I'm basicaly pullin everything together to make this happen. Is it worth it ?

Join the Coast Gaurd to dive????
http://www.xray-mag.com/pdfs/articles/Feature_CoastGuard_35.pdf

You can also use your GI bill for a commercial diving school?

 

[Joe-Diver]

I'm not a comercial diver or have any experience with it....but, I've always heard that with commercial diving, it just trains you to do your thing underwater...meaning, if you're a welder, mechanic, pipe fitter...whatever....commercial divers just do it underwater. So...that being said....focus on your skill set and trade first...then work out doing it underwater.....I'm guessing the schools teach the trade as well as applying it to diving?