An under-water career

If the magical world of the ocean fascinates you, scuba diving is a fascinating career. Diving into the depths as a professional diver opens up a whole world of opportunities.  

SCUBA is an acronym for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Divers use specialised equipment, such as scuba tanks and diving suits, to breathe underwater and safely explore the ocean. To be a scuba diver, one must be an excellent swimmer and be comfortable in the open ocean, physically fit, mentally alert, and strong.

What do you need to learn?

Depending on one’s interests, one can choose between commercial, industrial, or recreational diving. To become a professional scuba diver, one needs to follow a structured path through a series of courses and certifications from a recognised training institute such as PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) or SSI Scuba Schools International. Diving certifications ensure that you have proper diving training from an authorised agency, and their training programs teach you the required skills and handling of diving equipment.

“The basic educational qualification is not looked at recreational scuba diving career we call the ocean and scuba diving, the great leveler, in the sense that you can be from any academic background, Minimum age requirement is 18 years complete, to be a minimum Diver qualification of (Rescue Diver) or (Stress and Rescue) with a certification in (Emergency First Aid Responder) or (React Right).

Once a student diver has these minimum prerequisites, they can qualify to start their Divemaster programme. The Divemaster certification or rating is the first professional level certification a diver can get and start their journey to become a professional scuba diver,” states Animish Vijay Limaye, Dive center Manager, Dive India, Neil Islands, Andamans, a PADI IDC (instructor Development course) Staff Instructor and SSI (Scuba Schools International) Speciality Instructor who has a double masters in Marine conservation and biodiversity.

One must be trained in diving beyond the basic certifications of a recreational diver to become a commercial diver. Many diving schools in India offer commercial diving courses. A degree in science can be beneficial, as it requires learning mechanical skills. The qualifications also include certifications, such as the Commercial Diving Certification and the Advanced Diving Certification. To enter the industrial field as a diver after training, approach firms involved in Industrial diving for internships and job opportunities.

Opportunities

The scuba diving industry has been growing, with dive centres and training facilities growing. India offers a scuba diving experience that is simply varied, with 8,000 km of coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal – a mesmerising marine world.

Over the past few years, marine tourism and adventure sports have experienced significant growth in India, leading to the establishment of marine conservation initiatives and the promotion of scuba diving. Additionally, at the Ports, divers are regularly required for various maintenance, inspection, and repair work on the docks.

Recreational diving is growing in various places in India, including the Andaman Islands, Lakshadweep, Goa, Dwarka, and Pondicherry.

“One can work as a scuba diving instructor and teach diving to various age groups. A Trained Advanced Scuba diver can also organise recreational and adventure scuba trips. You can also be an underwater photographer or filmmaker, as many advertisements and films today require such professionals. Scuba divers who have studied marine biology can opt for research and conservation and work with research institutions, government agencies, and environmental organisations,” Says Mumbai-based Savio Dsilva, a trained Scuba diver who also organises Scuba diving trips.

Commercial divers can work with oil rigs, the maritime industry, and the military, including the navy. Commercial divers are responsible for welding on oil rigs, inspecting and repairing underwater pipelines, and hull cleaning on ships. These jobs require technical skills, specific training and certifications.

Commercial diving can be a challenging profession, so divers must undergo extensive training and adhere to strict safety standards. One can also work as a rescue driver, trained to conduct rescue operations whenever needed. Later, with experience and certifications, divers can opt for management jobs in the diving industry.