Commercial Diver ?

[Gary D.]

A big difference between the Navy and commercial work is in the navy you can refuse a dive no questions asked. Try that in the civilian world and your unemployed. Do it a few times and that old Black Ball could be raised over your head.

If you enjoy sport diving that enjoyment could be in for a major change once you start commercial work. A small percentage make the big bucks while a large percentage do the bulk of the work.

Lots to look at before you leap. Make sure it is for you and if you leap start putting $$ into a retirement fund of some sort from day one. Retirement comes early in that business.

Gary D.

 

[miketsp]

When I first got involved with diving some 35 years ago I was in the position of having to contract and supervise diving teams on various jobs around the world so naturally after hanging around with these guys they started giving me a few lessons here and there and I got into it. But I never felt the least wish to become a professional diver.
Conditions were very variable and most of the time a real pain. Dirty water, poor vis, bad weather, terrible air fills (especially in out of the way exotic places) - but the job had to be done and the dive had to be completed.
Occasionally (very) some really nice location but this was the exception.