Offshore diving jobs are among the most difficult to get jobs in the oil and gas industry. Because the industry is saturated with experienced and highly trained divers, it can be close to impossible for inexperienced workers to gain a foothold in the industry. However, if you are dead set on becoming an offshore diver, effective offshore training can help you stand out. Working as a diver involves hard work and long hours, which you should prepare for well in advance. Whether you have always dreamed of earning a living underwater, or if you have simply set your sights on a lucrative industry, make sure you know what to expect and how to earn your first job along with understanding the requirements of the industry.
Earning your First Offshore Diving Job
Much more is involved with offshore diving jobs than just diving. The work is both physically and emotionally draining. You will spend most of your time as a diver underwater with little communication with other people. But if you are deadest on making a career out of this physically grueling job, be prepared to earn your position.
If you wish to become a diver with an oil rig stationed in the United States, you will be required to have certain health and safety certifications. You must also be in peak physical condition. Individuals with health problems will not be accepted for employment.
While you may imagine it is necessary to take underwater diving courses prior to working in the industry, this surprisingly is not a requirement. Most commercial divers will go through offshore training prior to working full time for a gas or oil rig. However, gaining experience through other means is recommended. Whether you take an amateur recreational diving class or sign up for thorough offshore training classes, the more experience you gain the better chance you will have of earning a job as an offshore diver.
Available Offshore Diving Positions
Offshore diving jobs range from maintaining an offshore drilling platform to building the platform itself. The work is tedious, but there are a variety of jobs you can do with the proper certification. The most common entry offshore diving jobs include being a standard diver or a tender diver. As you expand your career, you can become a diver superintendent or a life support technician.
The trick to attaining these highly sought after positions is to stick with the job in the first place. If you can endure the rigorous physical, educational, and emotional training you can achieve great success in the industry. There are other commercial diving jobs that do not focus on the offshore drilling industry, but they also do not pay as well. These diving jobs include, but are not limited to, HAZMAT diving, media diving, and scientific diving.
Requirements and Expectations
When it comes to offshore diving jobs, there are two different categories of skill requirements you must meet, physical and mental.
The physical requirements for offshore diving include the following.
• Excellent night vision
• Superior reaction times
• Strong swimming skills
• Physical stamina
• High physical fitness
• Ability to withstand extreme cold and heat conditions
The mental requirements include:
• The ability to remain calm under extreme pressure
• Cooperative nature
• High concentration skills
• Detailed orientated nature
• Resourcefulness
In addition to the seemingly obvious physical and emotional requirements for underwater offshore diving, you must also meet governmental and international certification standards prior to becoming a diver. Depending upon where you are located, there are several different certifications you need to attain. These can include Entry Level Tender Diver certification, the International Marine Contractor Association certification (for international offshore diving jobs), and logging over 625 hours underwater are generally requirements for commercial offshore diving jobs.
At LearnToDrill.com, we do not yet offer any offshore diving courses. However, we would recommend our free Introduction to Drilling course that introduces you to the basics of offshore drilling.