If you have a keen interest in diving, you are on the right path to become a commercial diver, but you will need to undergo a significant amount of training before you can enter this career field. The job can be extremely dangerous, and you will need to spend a significant amount of time underwater learning new skills as they pertain to diving. Before you take steps to become a commercial diver, it is best to consider in what specific industry you want to work as a diver. This will help determine what specific qualifications you will need.
The most basic requirements you will need to meet in order to become a commercial diver include passing a physical examination and earning a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. Basic math skills will be required, as will basic communications skills. A basic understanding of some scientific concepts is preferred, but not necessarily required. Other prerequisite requirements may exist for specific industries or companies, so you will need to do some research into the field in which you intend to enter once you become a commercial diver. You will also need to develop advanced swimming skills.
You will need to enroll in a training program that will certify you to become a commercial diver. It is important to figure out which regulatory body in your country or region sponsors such certification, and which certifications a potential employer will require of you. Several types of certifications exist, and some can be completed in as little as two months. More advanced certifications can take a year or more to complete, and if you intend to be competitive in this market, it is a good idea to earn the best certifications possible. Keep in mind, however, that tuition rates for certification courses can vary significantly; you may need to secure loans or other sources of funding in order to enroll in training programs.
Prepare yourself for a rigorous job in often dangerous or hostile environments. Once you become a commercial diver, you may end up out at sea for weeks at a time. Your workday may be as long as 10 to 12 hours, and you will work in all conditions, night and day, rain or shine. The job itself is physically rigorous, so you will need to stay in peak physical shape and be prepared for the potential of injuries incurred on the job.
