The skills and qualifications suggested for entering the field of underwater welding are generally recognized as an experienced welder-diver with commercial diving skills. This means you should be familiar with the use of specialized commercial diving equipment, have an understanding of diving physiology, safety, rigging, the underwater environment and communication. You should also be proficient in weld setup and preparation skills such as those tasks typically assigned to a fitter or rigger, such as materials alignment and materials preparation including beveling, stripping of concrete, fitting a steel patch or repair plate. In addition, you will have to certify to a required underwater weld procedure.

The majority of work performed by an average welder-diver does not involve the welding operation itself, but rather executing the tasks that lead up to and follow the actual welding activities. Most important is a welder-diver must possess both certified welder skills and commercial diving skills. It is suggested that if you have no prior commercial diving experience you should attend a recognized commercial diving schools such as The Commercial Diving Academy.

As a general rule, candidates seeking underwater welding as a career will decide whether or not they are comfortable with their career choice after completing basic commercial dive training.

Important issues to consider: Age and physical limitations

There is no age restriction on commercial welder-divers. The commercial diving profession is physical demanding. It is rare to see an active commercial welder-diver over the age of 50. It is recommended and generally required that all commercial divers pass an annual dive physical. Some companies may have other requirements, subject to the regulations of the country where they are located or if the specific job has requirements beyond the standard.

Career Opportunity

Like many professions, work availability is always subject to: supply vs. demand, the economics of a given industry, whether you are free to relocate outside your place of residence (including overseas), and other related skills you have in addition to diving and welding. Recently the devastating weather such as hurricanes has created employment opportunities for those trained in under water welding. The Commercial Diving Academy has been providing training and expertise for students interested in diving careers since 1995.

There are a number of career opportunities for experienced welder-divers. Many go on to become engineers, instructors, and diving operations supervisors, qualify as AWS Certified Welding Inspectors (CWI), and serve as consultants for underwater welding operations and other related fields. The instructors at The Commercial Diving Academy have extensive experience in the industry before joining our staff and are often called out on assignments at various times through-out the year.

A career as a welder-diver can serve as a stepping stone to other opportunities for those who choose the profession.

Certification

If underwater welding is the career path you choose to follow, Commercial Diving Academy is the only School in the United States where you can certify to international standards. CDA offers a specialized training program, designed for commercial divers serious about obtaining high quality Manual Metal Arc (MMA) welding skills both above and below water. The course follows the guidelines under the European Welding Federation (EWF) with qualifications being awarded in accordance with BS EN ISO 15618-1 and/or AWS D3.6-99M.