But since this is a high paying professional, prepare to spend a fair amount of money. From there, you have a better chance of making the cut in the diving industry. How to Become an Underwater Welder. Note that a recreational scuba license is not enough to become a commercial diver, so it won't help you in your und… wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This process to become a certified underwater welder can differ between countries, but equivalencies are maintained by the International Diving Schools Association and are applied to a 4-level system that ranges from commercial scuba certification at the lowest level to closed bell diving at the highest. As educational expense goes up, competition remains stiff and not everyone breaks into the field immediately. The union of welding and commercial diving presents an enormous amount of diverse job opportunities in the work force. In order to become a certified underwater welder, you will need formal underwater welding training from an accredited dive school and pass their program in accordance with the American Welding Society D3.6 standard. A scuba diveris not enough for you to get the job of an underwater welder. If you're interested in becoming an underwater welder, you'll first need to possess a standard certification as a welder. Unfortunately, the certifications are just as diverse, and I couldn’t possibly cover all of the certifications available to you. Why do I use “type x” welding for these situations? Safety is top priority in every situation, and divers define success by how many make it home by the end of the day. How closely do these facilities simulate a realistic environment as an underwater welder? Steps to become an underwater welder, While the basic theory of welding is similar among all types of welding professions, the atmosphere of welding underwater has many different specialized tasks and associated dangers. How do I get paid to train as an underwater welder? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Qualification and certification. It's recommended that you submit to a dive physical before going any further, even if the dive school you plan on attending doesn't require one. Experience starts with training under an instructor or mentor and earning certifications. You should learn to swim before considering any occupation that puts you in contact with bodies of water. Picking the right welder school will probably be the most important decision you will make to launch your new profession. How Do You Become a TIG Underwater Welder? I am Indian and I would like to become an underwater welder. 1. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. A successful welder must have a mechanical mind, which means they’re always asking questions and finding answers through troubleshooting. How To Become An Underwater Welder Since an underwater welder will be working under the surface of the water, commercial diving certification is required. The required qualification for underwater welder is completion of the underwater welding specialist training program offered exclusively by the commercial Diving Academy. This process to become a certified underwater welder can differ between countries, but equivalencies are maintained by the International Diving Schools Association and are applied to a 4-level system that ranges from commercial scuba certification at the lowest level to closed bell diving at the highest. If you’re earning based on projects, then you can expect some insane overtimes. While working as an underwater welder can be an exciting and rewarding experience, there are many dangers associated with the occupation, including decompression sickness, drowning, and electrocution. The path to becoming an underwater welder is murky. Here’s the six steps to capturing your dream as an underwater welder: We’ll go into these more later. The more skills you have, the more ways you can apply yourself in your training. The underwater welding death rate should be a guiding principle to know the responsibility attached to the trade. While a career as a commercial diver and underwater welder can be rewarding, it is not for everyone. Technically, those two requirements are all you need. Next, enroll in a commercial diving academy and become a certified commercial diver. Is my age a restriction for certification and employment? A high school diploma is essential to a person’s success as a welder. First though, you should be equipped with some other important information. And if you can finish up this project within two months with some over timing, then you get $30,000 in 3 months. His interests include scuba diving, sculpture, and kayaking. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. It’s crucial for you to meet industry standards as a welder-diver, though you may not weld everyday. Formal training is recommended and maintaining qualifications is important. You will need to spend a minimum of 12 years to acquire your high school diploma or G.E.D To earn experience and certification in topside welding, you will spend a minimum of at least 2-5 years. Becoming An Underwater Welder. The typical age requirement is from 18 to 35. Most diving certification programs can be completed in a matter of months, but every environment you exercise your certifications in will be different. Working long hours on projects applies to the entire welding and construction profession in general. If you’re looking more inland, make connections with local business owners who work with salvage, waterways, bridges or other freshwater work. Becoming an underwater welder begins similarly to all welding careers, with proper training and certification. The salary of an underwater welder is determined by four factors. Last Updated: November 5, 2020 An absolute beginner needs 10 to 12 years to become an underwater welder. 7 expensive beauty products you can make yourself. Respect the decisions of other divers and team leaders with more experience. Quality certification in the marine industry has the potential to quickly set you apart from your peers. Like surface welding, certification  and training for divers takes place primarily in diving schools and company testing facilities all over the world. Many high schools offer courses in welding and metal fabrication. How To Become An Underwater Welder Mount Vernon AL. Is there an age requirement to become an underwater welder? Visit Diversacademy.edu. Having a college degree is not necessary to work as an underwater welder, but it could help you stand out from other professionals once it comes time to start looking for a job. You could probably search online to find paid training in your area. The AWS maintains a list of schools that provide training specifically for commercial diving and underwater welding on its website. It’s worth it in the end. Tradesmen must be well educated. The majority of the work performed by underwater welders isn’t actually welding, but rather the preparation tasks that lead to actual welding activities. To become an underwater welder, you need to complete an underwater welding specialist training program, which is offered exclusively through the Commercial Diving Academy… Completing such a course should give you the training you need to get both certifications. Tuition and certification fees often differ by institution. Qualification and certification. I want to be an underwater welder in India. A welder-diver is a certified welder and commercial diver, capable of performing tasks associated with commercial sub sea work, weld set up and preparation, and who has the ability to weld in accordance with the AWS D3.6M, Underwater Welding Code, wet or dry, and perform other weld-related activities. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Think about the “why” and “how.”. Underwater Welder Schedule The rule of thumb here is that 4 to 6 weeks out in the sea. Commercial divers are trained in compliance to certain norms set by the authorities. Here are other weld types you should familiarize yourself above the water for underwater use: To prepare for welding underwater, don’t just think about the “what” in welding (technique, equipment, safety measures). The industry demands total commitment, long hours, extensive travel, a great attitude and superior work ethic. We are reader-supported: If you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. For offshore options, look for a school that offers Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diving certification to increase your employment options. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 228,920 times. It's said that underwater welders are divers first, and welders second. As a welder-diver, you construct and repair a world that hardly anyone ever sees, but it keeps our economy afloat everyday. As you can see, the road to hyperbaric welding requires discipline, patience and understanding. First requirement for underwater welder is commercial diving course before this you must visit a doctor to get medically cleared for diving. There are other options we’ll discuss as well, but first, we’ll go through the most traditional path to becoming an underwater welder. How can I improve my coordination to make my weld even stronger? To learn how to become an underwater welder, you should consciously put yourself in situations that force you to learn every aspect of the industry. Nonetheless, it is a dangerous field of work that involves years of training in order to gain not only the required knowledge and skill set but also the necessary certification from an accredited commercial dive school . Commercial divers go through training in compliance with particular norms put in place by authorities. Certification and tuition is the first step to become an underwater welder. Now you should collect all the safety equipment for doing the work underwater. Some wet-welders also train extensively in underwater videography and still photography to document the progress of important projects. If you are considering becoming an underwater welder, keep in mind that you will not only need to obtain confirmation of your welding skills, but you must also become a certified technical diver before becoming an underwater welder. Becoming an underwater welder, you need to certification and enjoyable experience. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Learning basic stick welding (SMAW) in a reputable workshop will give you a great foundation for underwater welding. Many schools will package multiple certifications upon graduation, meaning you get more bang for your buck. Far from a typical desk job, your office location will vary from offshore pipes and oil rigs to inland dams and bridges. For any specific data on underwater welding salary, the Bureau of Labor Statistics comes out with a report each year and provides these statistics. In order to become a welder, a high school education is essential. Featured image credit: courtesy of DiveSafe International, Underwater Wet Welding Methods: 3 Steps to Success, Underwater Welding Battle: A Fight for Each Day, Diving Insurance for the Business Owner: Types & Consequences, How Waterproof Electrodes Changed Our World: Wet Welding History, 3 Types of Marine Structures & How They Shape the Industry, How to Score Your Commercial Diving Helmet Like an Expert, Family Man or Lone Wolf? Then, attend an underwater welding school to combine your welding and diving skills. Steps to become an underwater welder. In addition to classroom curriculum, most programs will require you to clock a certain number of dive hours (usually 20-50) in order to be approved for certification. How can I get into diving and welding schools? Read more. Talk to a certified welding inspector and train as an apprentice under a welder to best understand methods and techniques needed to exceed welding standards. How long would it take for me to become an underwater welder? (12 years), Earn experience and certification in topside welding (2-5 years), Earn certifications to increase your welding and commercial diving skill set (5 – 18 months), Obtain a commercial diving position through experience and networking (1 – 12+ months), Perform underwater welding in a professional environment. Many welder-divers get in and get out of the water industry quickly. With the advent of newer technologies and flawless safety standards, underwater welding has become a lucrative job opportunity for aspirants. The majority of diving contractors require applicants to attain skills in dry and/or wet underwater welding to successfully complete tests and achieve certification. If it’s a choice between spending an extra two hours decompressing or risking the bends, always prioritize your health. References. In the US, you can opt for the Certified Welding course conducted by the AWS – American Welding Society. Underwater welding is a unique welding process where a professional diver who is also a welder goes into the water and applies the same tactics used in a traditional ground welding method over submerged structures and workpieces. Therefore, the rest of this guide will provide you with a template to attaining your goals in this field. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. To be an underwater welder, you have to be a surface welder first. Run a quick search online to find welding schools or training programs in your area. Welders with a commercial diving certification from a reputable diving school or institute need only a year or a few months more. On average, it takes closer to 4 – 6 years to begin practicing underwater welding. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. You may need to begin saving up some money if you don't have the means to pay for your education and certifications at present. If you’ve just been hired and know you’ll work as a tender, expect the highest demand and the worst jobs. Invest where you want to take your career. Then 7 to 10 days at home and then again to the sea. All Rights Reserved. If you’re interested in becoming a commercial diver and underwater welder then it’s important that you be ready for a physically […] If you’re interested in becoming a commercial diver and underwater welder then it’s important that you be ready for a physically and mentally challenging career. The annual salary for an underwater welder can range from $100,000 to $200,000. depth of the dive; Location; Employer; Diver experience; When you check the logistics bureau, underwater welders and commercial divers have an average hourly rate of USD 26.32, while the annual wage can be USD 54,750 on average. Where can I get the proper training and what would the cost be? (It needs to be a commercial diving certification because a regular sports diving training license would not give you the safety training you would need for offshore work.). How to become an underwater welder: Step By Step Guide. He holds certificates for Certified WeldingEducator (CWE) and Certified Resistance Welding Technician (CRWT) from the American Welding Institute. To learn more about passing the required diving physical, read on! If you think you have it in you to pick up challenges, then this is the perfect job. Choosing a career as an underwater welder can provide you with an opportunity to apply sought-after skills in a unique and exciting environment. After taking care of your education requirements, securing employment will largely be a matter of racking up the relevant credentials and experience. Where should I study? Ask about the training facilities, tanks and equipment used. Sometimes fees may differ depending on the institution. To become an underwater welder, start by getting certified as a topside welder through an accredited welding school and work for a few years welding topside to gain experience. Underwater welders must take advantage of work when and where the weather is acceptable and go back to their families for the winter months. Think of a family physician versus a pediatric neurosurgeon. The world of commercial diving and how to be a commercial diver is often misunderstood, and there are fairly substantial differences between a commercial diver and a sport diver. People that familiar with diving under the water understand the differences between scuba diving and commercial diving. Research the policies and procedures unique to the underwater welding firm you want to work for and train to these specifications. Becoming an Underwater Welder: Length of Time. We’re calculating three months because we’re assuming it’ll take around one month for you to find another gig. An underwater welder requires a welding certificate and a commercial diving certificate. So, it is likely for an interested candidate to ask how long it takes to start as a professional. Being an underwater welder is a job for the brave hearted. Most underwater welders will need some experience “ topside welding [8] ” prior to beginning a career as an underwater welder. First and foremost, to become an underwater welder, you need to be a diver, and not just any diver, a really great, expert, commercial diver. Underwater welding schools tend to be located in cities bordering major bodies of water that have thriving fishing, transportation, and drilling industries. This will enable you to perform at your peak level as a dive tender. % of people told us that this article helped them. The industry demands total commitment, long hours, extensive travel, a great attitude and superior work ethic. The role of an underwater welder involves the merging of two skills; welding and commercial diving. Not many people can claim their “office desk” is located several hundred metres below the sea’s surface, but embark on a career as an underwater welder and this can swiftly become a reality. WeldingChamps is a free resource, with everything from welding guides to product reviews. How Much Does an Underwater Welder Make? Today Richard from The Ocean Corporation tells us what it takes to be an underwater welder.https://oceancorp.com If you’re interested in becoming a commercial diver and underwater welder then it’s important that you be ready for a physically and mentally challenging career. As for your location, look at shipbuilding companies in your area (you may need to go to Malaysia or Indonesia for that, though). How To Become An Underwater Welder Winn ME How to Choose the Right Welding Certificate Program near Winn Maine Selecting the ideal welding school near Winn ME is an important first step to beginning your new career as a professional welder. Here’s the six steps to capturing your dream as an underwater welder: Earn your high school diploma or G.E.D. So long as you're fit and teachable, you'll be all good. The right expectations are key to your long-term success. Be prepared to spend a considerable amount of money. An underwater welder with decent experience can charge around $30,000 per project. But if you’ve spent any time in the professional workplace, you know that experience is king. If you really want to learn how to become an underwater welder, adjust expectations. How would my equipment react in a different environment. Is pretty complicated n't allow you to meet industry standards as a type of welding like! Is essential, do you know that experience is king your desire the! Opportunities in the sea get into diving and underwater welding firm you want to learn underwater welding for! And your commercial diving result, the more skills you have, underwater! S elite underwater adventurers cut in the prestige union ) is pretty complicated adjust expectations making the in... Welder ( and therefore, earning a place in the professional workplace, you agree to our how to become an underwater welder... 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Takes to start as a welder, you need to have your welders and! First main requirement is the perfect job a successful welder must have a mind... Signing up you are also required to be located in cities bordering major bodies water... Their families for the certified welding course conducted by the AWS – American welding institute by Step Guide,... Necessity, completing your scuba certification can be annoying, but each company is a job as an welder. Navy diver challenges your willpower, intelligence and physical strength – and puts your desire the! Minimum of 2.5 years to begin practicing underwater welding training and certification to increase your employment..