Diver
Divers work underwater at sea, or in rivers, lakes, canals and reservoirs.
Also known as: Commercial diver
- Typical hours42 to 44 a week
What you'll do
As a diver, your duties will depend on the type of diving you do.
You could:
- survey offshore oil and gas drilling rigs and pipelines
- carry out underwater repairs, demolition or salvage on civil engineering jobs
- support teams on underwater filming or photography projects
- carry out scientific research or underwater archaeology
- search for and recover missing persons or evidence for the police
- lead recreational scuba dives or teach scuba diving skills in the leisure sector
Working environment
You could work underwater or in an office.
Your working environment may be cold, dirty and physically and emotionally demanding.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- physical skills like movement, coordination and balance
- observation and recording skills
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- persistence and determination
- excellent verbal communication skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a diver
You can get into this job through:
- working towards this role
- applying directly
- training with a professional body
Work
You may be able to apply for diver training through your employer. For example, if you're in the police, armed forces or work for a marine engineering company. Once qualified, you could work with an underwater unit.
Similarly, if you work in scientific research, like oceanography or archaeology, your employer may put you through specialist diver training, so that you can carry out tasks underwater.
Direct application
You could apply directly for jobs if you've got the right diving and safety qualifications.
You'll also need experience relevant to the industry you're working in. For example, you'll need a background in welding to work as an offshore underwater engineer, repairing pipelines or cables.
Other routes
You can do a course with a commercial training organisation or professional body to get your diving qualifications.
Training must be approved by the Health and Safety Executive . Examples include courses offered by the:
- Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI)
- British Sub-Aqua Club
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- pass a medical check
Career path and progression
You'd normally be self-employed as a commercial diver.
With experience and further training, you could take up roles with extra responsibility like a dive leader or instructor, or a life support technician, supporting divers in a compression chamber.
If working in a dive centre, you might move into management.
You could also set up a business, or work in a related field where diving skills are useful, like swimming pool or aquarium maintenance.
Career tips
You might find it helpful to have experience of recreational scuba diving before training as a commercial diver.
Many diving schools offer assessments to help you decide whether you'll be suited to working underwater.
Guides for this industry
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