| When I tell people that I do commercial diving, I get | | | | of a demand than available divers to fill the jobs. |
| some amusing reactions. Usually the expressions | | | | Not to be overlooked is the real risk associated with |
| reflect confusion instead of the admiration I used to | | | | diving for a living. Even trained professionals cannot |
| think would be a normal response. At least talking | | | | foresee every potential problem. Factor in equipment |
| about commercial diving is a conversation starter; I | | | | failure, poisonous and dangerous sea creatures, |
| guess most folks do not know anyone who makes a | | | | shifting or breaking underwater structures, and even |
| living this way. Neither did I, until I went on a vacation | | | | a seasoned pro can be in trouble in short order. |
| to St. Maarten in the Virgin Islands. I had just | | | | I thought about all this before I made my decision |
| graduated from college and the trip was a gift to | | | | and found there are more dangerous jobs that don't |
| myself. Having grown up near frigid Lake Michigan I | | | | pay nearly as much. And think about the many ways |
| was entranced by the warm waters of the | | | | you can work as a commercial diver. I currently live |
| Caribbean and the sealife in it. I scraped together | | | | on the west coast and do marine wildlife study. I |
| some funds, got SCUBA certified, and never looked | | | | have friends that are search and rescue divers, and a |
| back. One thing led to another and I am able to say I | | | | lot of times I need to use those skills in my "cushy" |
| have a career doing something I absolutely love. | | | | job. There are other careers: underwater |
| Commercial scuba diving is one of the most lucrative | | | | construction, underwater filming for feature films, |
| careers available. A commercial diver's salary can | | | | documentaries, television commercials, still photos, |
| easily run into six figures depending on the | | | | and even television shows. You could have your own |
| sub-specialty. | | | | business as a SCUBA certification specialist, lead |
| Many factors contribute to the financial benefits. | | | | tours, work for companies exploring sunken ships, |
| Divers have to be healthier than normal, and the | | | | even dive for pearls and other valuables. Some |
| physical demands limit the duration of a diving career. | | | | commercial divers are employed by corporations with |
| Also, not many people have considered making diving | | | | underwater maintenance needs. |
| into a career. Even those in marine-related fields | | | | There is not a chance I will ever regret diving as a |
| rarely think of it. One more thing is that a lot of | | | | career. Even if I come face to face with Jaws Junior |
| commercial divers travel in their jobs, so it can | | | | one day, in my opinion it will have been worth it. |
| sometimes be a nomadic way of life. Combine these | | | | Those who are lucky enough to do what they love |
| aspects and you can see that there is always more | | | | have a funny habit of never stopping. |