An Overview of Commercial Diving Training

Commercial diving is a hands-on career with versatile employment opportunities in underwater construction, marine salvage, and more. Training for commercial diving has several components.

1. Diving training. All diving training involves coursework on how to dive safely. Therefore, commercial diving training will include nationally approved curriculum about anatomy, diving injuries, seamanship, rigging and decompression. Commercial divers will also learn operation planning, equipment maintenance, dive logs, and more.

2. Commercial education. Commercial divers are expected to master advanced training with equipment necessary for underwater construction. This training will cover topics such as welding, mixed-gas diving, marine engines, and industrial safety.

3. Certification. All training must be completed with a school accredited by the ADCI. Some commercial divers complete a short-term certification program, which may last from two months to a year. Other training programs are offered as an Associate's Degree. These accreditation programs usually take two years to complete. There are several schools that offer advanced commercial diving degrees. Many divers pursue an advanced degree program after working for several years in order to broaden their career options.

4. Field experience. Divers who complete training will start with a basic ACD Commercial Diver certification. This Entry Level Tender/Diver certification can be advanced after logging field experience. On the job training is required in order to maintain certification and advance in the field.

As you can see, commercial diving requires a well-trained background and knowledge of the underwater world. From underwater construction, marine salvage, and more, each area of commercial diving is extensive and full of skilled divers and technicians.