an interesting question, & one I have ruminated over at length. Over time my opinion has changed considerably, this being a direct result of learning more about the many committed Tec./Rec. individuals and the processes involved in achieving their goals.
As someone who has participated in most commercial diving applications, save r.o.v. work ( Im not the sit on the surface and play with the joystick" type ), I feel confident in my ability to profer a realistic opinion on that side of the discussion. My knowledge of Tec./Rec. comes from reading about & speaking with those involved. Here are a few of my observations.
I feel motivation to be the main underlying difference of the two groups. Commercial divers are paid to travel to various u/w sites to perform work. A large part of every member of a commercial dive crews responsibility is to insure the diver (s) gets down and back as safely as possible. To this end, specific operational protocols & procedures were developed, over time, to address every aspect of manned u/w work. Governmental regulations specifying minimum operational standards are in place to insure a minimum level playing field for all participating contractors.
Much of the commercial divers time is spent insuring the diving system is ready to safely operate. These systems range from a basic surface air diving setup to vast saturation diving complexes. The work includes routine maintenance & repair of all system components ( air , gas, electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, electronic ) on a daily basis. There exists an apprenticeship of sorts . While not universal in application, the average new diver will spend their early years tending divers hose while learning the basics of working diving. In water experience is usually limited to air diving, doing the simpler ( read: labour-centered ) tasks of the job. Most importantly, a new diver must develop & sustain an attitude of professionalism in his/her work. New hands who cannot, or will not play by the rules of the game will not last. A seasoned, experienced commercial diver is a consumate professional; always willing to learn new things & constant in their approach to safe, productive diving operations. Bringing the commercial diver home safely is truly a team effort, where each person has a role to play.
In my view, the motivation of the Tec./Rec. diver is less specific. Many Tec. Divers need mixed gases to more safely pursue their interest, be it shipwrecks, cave systems or other exploratory ventures. Others are motivated by the desire for ever greater penetration of depth, be it for reasons of experiment, curiosity or fame. Still others do it because of peer pressure, or some misguided need to prove themselves. Whatever the motivation, the deep diving recreational diver is, by comparison with the commercial professional, very much on his/her own, despite the possible existence of a buddy. Thus survival is, for the Tec./Rec. diver, much more dependent on self-reliance. This reality is the basis for the protocols & procedures created by the reputable deep diving rec. training agencies. I am very impressed with the level of knowledge & training offered by these agencies. They have embraced the hard won knowledge of the Military-Industrial diving establishment & applied it to self-contained diving.
If anything, I would like to see the requirements for entry into this level of diving be stiffened. Such specialized pursuits should only be available to those with a solid background of diving experience, and who, more importantly, possess the necessary personality traits to safely pursue such a self-reliant activity. Such traits include self-discipline, diligence, procedural aptitude & professional attitude.
Ive met Tec./Rec. divers who I feel would make excellent working divers. I also know commercial divers who enjoy the freedom of self-contained deep diving. The two pursuits are not mutually exclusive. Both activities demand a professional, disciplined approach if the participants are to return safely. In commercial diving, the weeding of unsuitable individuals begins at dive school & continues in the field by way of peer evaluation. Working divers are further advantaged by legislation. The Rec./Tec. Diver relys on agency training, some degree of peer evaluation, and most importantly, their own personal honesty with regards to self- assessment / self-knowledge. Each can learn from the other. Each should support one another in the safe pursuit of diving activity.
Respectfully,
D.S.D.
