To become a commercial diver, you will undergo rigorous training with a certified and reputable diving organization. At the end of your commercial diver training, you will receive a certificate that indicates your ability to dive professionally all around the world. However, before you choose to dive into this challenging career, you should learn a little more about the qualifications and requirements of prospective divers. 

Am I a good fit to become a commercial diver?

Many people with a diving certification have considered turning their hobby into a lucrative career. However, to become a commercial diver requires a lot of specialized training, intensive coursework, and the right personality to persevere under difficult circumstances. 

The following is a list of requirements to start commercial diver training.

• 18 years of age or older upon graduation of the program
• High school diploma, transcript or GED
• Proficient in English speaking, reading, and writing
• ADCI dive physical
• Ability to swim 400 meters unassisted
• Ability to obtain a TWIC card
• Completed application to the institution of your choice

Prior dive experience is not required. Applicants must be experienced swimmers and be comfortable in the water. 

Additionally, the best candidates for commercial diving have the following qualities. 

• A positive attitude
• A high mechanical aptitude
• An ability to work effectively with a team
• Tenacity and perseverance

What is commercial diver training like?

Commercial diver training is intensive, challenging, and rewarding. As a result, typical programs take five to seven months to complete and cover a range of important subjects for a successful commercial diver.  

Typical courses at the beginning of training include physics, medicine, equipment, and rigging. After an introduction to how diving works and how to stay medically safe, you’ll experience your first dive and learn about the necessary equipment and rigging techniques. Then, you’ll jump into coursework around potential job types within commercial diving. Thus, this includes offshore and hazmat diving, and then, underwater welding, salvage diving, and hydraulics. Finally, you’ll explore inland diving job opportunities and deep diving. 

What are the facilities like?

Underwater welding training happens in a controlled tank facility to ensure safety, monitor student progress, and allow for real-time instruction. However, training dives happen in open water at varying depths to give students real-world experience that can’t be duplicated in pools, tanks, or quarries.

Most importantly, the training prepares students for the expectations of the commercial diving industry, and how to exceed them. So, students develop skills in teamwork, leadership and support roles, performance management, and involved decision-making.

Choosing the right commercial diver training school 

There are not many commercial diver training programs in the world. Most people interested in becoming a certified commercial diver look to the training programs closest to their homes. So, while this is a smart and common tactic, it may benefit you to seek out programs in other parts of the world. 

The truth is that not all commercial dive programs are created equal and you should seek a program that offers comprehensive training and aligns with your ultimate career goals. Additionally, it would benefit you to learn from an experienced professional diving staff and to gain some real-world diving experience in the process. Finally, look for a program that offers career guidance, industry connections, and helps you discover job opportunities after graduation. 

Reputable dive schools will provide all of this and more, and most importantly, the staff will be able to answer all of your questions about commercial diving. The best way to know if a commercial diver training program is right for you is to learn more about the curriculum and reach out to prospective student contacts. 

Divers Institute Trains Top Divers in the Industry

At DIT, we provide divers with the knowledge and skills required to be successful as an entry-level commercial diver. Whether employed domestically or internationally, our graduates enter the workforce well-positioned to succeed. They leave with the right education, industry connections, and real-world experience. If your current job lacks the excitement and adventure you’re searching for, and you want a challenging, rewarding career, then commercial diving might offer just the career path for you. Learn more today! You can also fill out an application here.