work as a safety diver

[sandita16]

I posted this on another forum on scuba board as well, but maybe commercial divers have some insight into this:

I have been trying to find information on what it takes to become safety diver on film sets and expedition teams and looking for job opportunities. However, there is very limited information to be found. I am an instructor, technical deep diver and technical cave diver with several years of work experience in the dive industry. Does anyone know if I would need any more qualifications or have any tips on where I can find more information or work opportunities. Thanks for the help!

 

[Heliumthief]

Well, all I can give you is UK based, but I have friends who have worked on 'Hollywood' films in Europe and Africa....

Generally, a Commercial cert is required, more for insurance, than any technical know-how. Friends of mine have worked in the pool in Pinewood, and the Thames for jAmes Bond films, and a couple worked in Africa on a god-awful Clive Cussler film. I worked on Enigma in Scotland for a bit, along with some TV stuff, generally we worked for local inshore diving companies who happened to get a call, others worked for specialist stunt-man companies, and one or two specialist diving companies. It's a really small world. Imagine a UK specialist diving company gets work from Hollywood production in Algeria- that kind of shows that there aren't many guys who do this sort of thing....if I find them I'll post a link to the couple I know, but I wouldn't think you would make big bucks at it...
im sure a trawl around the internet looking for stunt companies who do diving support would help...look on IMDb at some recent 'Aqua' films and see who did the diving/safety diving. There's a credit for everyone....

as as for expedition teams, I'm guessing you mean scientific divers or media cameramen...and normally they don't use 'stbys'- they are the divers, and that's it....

---------- Post added December 1st, 2015 at 08:08 PM ----------

Diving Services UK

got these guys in about 2 mins on Google! Look for Diving company media and a location, maybe put filming or stunt work too..