Diver

Divers are involved in underwater inspection, testing, repair, maintenance or search work. Some divers specialise in particular techniques such as photography or welding. The work can be hard, demanding and sometimes dangerous.

Also known as

• Commercial diver
• Deep sea diver

Work activities

Commercial divers carry out underwater inspection, testing, repair, maintenance or search work. This could be in inland waters, such as supporting fish farming, or at sea doing supporting the installation of offshore wind turbines, for example. Some divers specialise in particular techniques, such as underwater photography or welding. The work can be hard and dangerous at times.

The type of diving work is determined by the nature of the task. For example, divers who work for the police carry out underwater searches for evidence or for missing people. Divers working for renewable energy companies carry out more practical tasks, such as maintaining structures underwater. Divers use a wide range of equipment such as hand tools, hydraulic and pneumatic power tools, and sometimes explosives.

Generally, there are three different types of diving. The type of diving depends on the depth of water and work being done. Surface diving is used in water up to 50 metres. The divers receive their air supply via a hose from above the water. This technique is used where any danger is present. SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diving is used in depths of less than 30 metres. The divers have air cylinders on their backs, to breathe air from.

Deep sea diving is when the work takes place further than 50 metres down. It is known as saturation diving and the divers live and work from a special chamber (called a closed bell), which has a mixture of gases so they can breathe normally. Divers who work at extreme sea depths may have to spend a few days in a decompression chamber after a dive to allow their bodies to adjust to normal air pressure.

Remotely Operated Vehicles are used to carry out work from ships and rigs. They allow specially trained pilot technicians (experienced in electronics, engineering or hydraulics, for example) to operate machines that do the work underwater as instructed, from the surface via an umbilical. However, not all tasks can be done in this way, so divers are still needed.

Personal qualities and skills

To be good at this job, you’ll need:

• To be a strong swimmer.
• To pay close attention to safety rules.
• A high level of fitness.
• To be able to stay calm when under pressure.
• Some scientific and mechanical skills, along with the ability to use a wide range of tools.
• To work well in a team.
• Some skill in photography.
• To be able to cope with distressing or dangerous work.

There are some health conditions that could prevent you from becoming a diver or restrict the type of diving you can do. Go to the Health and Safety Executive website’s diving section to see the full list.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for divers differ greatly, depending upon the type of diving performed. Pay rates may begin at around £100 a day, and gradually progress as you gain experience and take on more senior roles. Offshore divers may work up to 44 hours per week, although time spend underwater is likely to be significantly less.

Demand for divers is strong from the renewables industry, such as in offshore windfarm installation. There is increasing demand for divers in archaeological work, surveying and recording sites, conservation and moving artefacts.

Employment is mainly in short-contract work with firms of diving contractors. Divers may also work as sports diving instructors, and with the police or in the armed forces. Opportunities for divers occur with dive operators in coastal areas throughout the UK.  Opportunities for divers also occur in countries overseas, particularly in leisure and sport diving.

Self-employment opportunities occur for divers to become self-employed.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Many divers approach companies directly offering their services.

Entry routes and training 

To qualify as a professional diver, trainees must obtain a training certificate from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). You do not need any formal qualifications to start diver training courses.

Training combines practical work and theory. HSE approved training centres are found throughout the UK. For a full list, see the Health and Safety Executive’s website (diving section). Training courses usually cover air diving, mixed gas/saturation diving and professional scuba diving. They include offshore diving and inshore diving. Courses usually last between about four to thirteen weeks. It is possible to take specialised courses in diving medicine and non-destructive testing, for example. The police and armed forces also train divers.

Divers can increase the amount of work available to them by undergoing training in areas such as the ones listed above. Some divers move into training positions.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: Working as a diver in the police or Royal Navy is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

Entry requirements vary according to the type of diving work undertaken. You do not need any formal qualifications to start diver training courses. Candidates wishing to take Health and Safety Executive (HSE) diving examinations must first pass a commercial diving aptitude test. Among other things, this tests maths and English, manual dexterity and water confidence. They also need to pass an HSE approved diving medical, which is then renewable every year. Divers working on, for example, engineering or scientific projects may need specialist knowledge.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits. There may be an upper age limit for divers.

Commercial divers usually have experience and qualifications in another technical skill, such as welding or photography. Preference is given to those with previous diving experience; commercial or sub-aqua. Adults considering training as divers must be in excellent physical condition, be able to pass a medical examination (renewable annually) and be confident working underwater.

Related careers

• Coastguard watch officer
• Firefighter
• Royal Navy rating