Diver

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• working towards this role
• applying directly
• training with a professional body

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

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.

DirectApplication

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.

OtherRoutes

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

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• 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
• knowledge of physics
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with your hands
• active listening skills
• knowledge of maths
• the ability to read English
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• customer service skills
• concentration skills

What you'll do:

Divers work underwater at sea, or in rivers, lakes, canals and reservoirs.

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

Location : You could work underwater or in an office.
Environment : Your working environment may be cold, dirty and physically and emotionally demanding.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

42 - 44 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

Career Path:

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.