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Seafood Diver

Divers work underwater and do a variety of tasks such as construction work, rescuing property from wrecked ships, commercial seafood gathering, photography, exploration and police work, and dive instructing. They may work close to shore (inshore), out at sea (offshore), or in lakes or rivers.

Tasks & duties

Divers may do some or all of the following:

inspect, build and repair structures using underwater tools and equipment
survey areas and search for objects, structures or criminal evidence
work underwater to cultivate aquatic plants or animals
film or take photographs underwater
instruct dive students
gather seafood, such as paua, for export or for sale on the local market
carry out non-destructive testing (test for cracks on the legs of oil rigs at sea)
use underwater equipment to communicate with people on the surface
collect samples for scientific purposes
lead underwater marine tourist activities
guide certified divers on underwater tours
clean and wash diving equipment such as wetsuits
survey and clean boat hulls
help to remove rubbish and pollution from the sea
complete any necessary paperwork
work in a retail store selling diving goods and services

Specialisations

Divers may specialise in a particular area of diving including deep sea or inshore diving, construction, aquaculture or underwater photography.

Skills & knowledge

Divers need to have:

knowledge of diving techniques and equipment
an understanding of health and safety regulations in and out of the water
knowledge of first aid and the ability to deal with emergencies
knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the body
good diving skills
excellent communication skills, particularly non-verbal for underwater communication
good practical skills for repairing equipment that breaks down on-site

Depending on their area of specialisation they may also need to know about:

underwater inspection techniques
construction methods and materials
underwater photography
their local area
the behaviour of seafood and other marine life

Entry Requirements

To become a diver in Australia you must be at least 18 years old and hold an appropriate Certificate of Competency. You must also pass a special occupational diver's medical test every year and be certified medically fit.

Commercial divers often need to have a recognised international diving certificate, and must be registered as occupational divers with Occupational Safety and Health Service.

Police divers must be police officers, and scientific divers need to have a science qualification.

Secondary Education

There are no specific secondary educational requirements, but maths, physics and workshop technology are useful.

Tertiary Education

Diving schools offer training courses in diving, which may be useful.

Training on the job

Specific diving training is often provided by the particular sector the diver is working in. For example, police divers must complete the probation period after graduation, then attend a one-month course at the Navy diving school.

Ongoing training is also provided including seminars on first aid, health and safety issues, and the use of specialised equipment.