Diver

Diver

Occupation
Occupation type	Profession
Activity sectors	Underwater diving, Military, Research, Salvage, Underwater construction, Underwater photography
Specialty	{{#statements:P1995}}
Description
Competencies	Physical fitness, problem solving, technical knowledge, stress management
Education required	Certification through accredited agencies
Fields of employment	Commercial diving, Recreational diving, Scientific diving, Military diving
Related jobs	Underwater welding, Marine biology, Hyperbaric medicine

A diver is a professional or amateur who is equipped to descend below the water's surface to interact with the environment. Divers engage in various activities such as exploration, research, construction, or warfare. The profession requires a combination of specialized training, knowledge of safety procedures, and often, certification.

Types of Divers

Divers can be categorized based on their purpose and the environments in which they operate:

Commercial Divers

Commercial divers work in underwater industries such as offshore drilling, underwater construction, and salvage operations. They are trained to perform tasks related to construction, demolition, and repair.

Military Divers

Military divers participate in defense operations, including underwater demolition, reconnaissance, and combat. They are also involved in the maintenance of ships and submarines.

Scientific Divers

Scientific divers support underwater scientific research by collecting samples, photographing, and observing underwater ecosystems. They often work for universities or governmental agencies.

Recreational Divers

Recreational divers dive for enjoyment and typically explore underwater natural or artificial sites, such as coral reefs and shipwrecks. They are usually certified through organizations like PADI or NAUI.

Training and Certification

Divers must undergo rigorous training and earn certification to ensure safety and competence. Training programs vary by specialization:

• Open Water Diver certification allows for unsupervised scuba diving.
• Advanced certifications may include Deep Diver, Cave Diver, and Rescue Diver.
• Commercial and military divers undergo specialized training programs that are more extensive and tailored to their specific tasks.

Equipment

Divers use a variety of equipment depending on their type of diving:

• Scuba set: Includes a mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, regulator, buoyancy control device (BCD), and diving cylinder.
• Rebreather: Used by advanced divers to recycle the breathing gas.
• Underwater navigation tools, such as compasses and sonar.

Safety

Diving is inherently risky, and divers must adhere to safety protocols to mitigate dangers such as decompression sickness, nitrogen narcosis, and equipment failure. Safety measures include:

• Pre-dive checks
• Maintaining physical fitness
• Using a dive computer to monitor depth and time
• Diving within the limits of one’s certification

In Culture

Diving has captured the public imagination through films, novels, and documentaries that highlight the adventure and danger associated with exploring the underwater world.

See Also

• Underwater habitat
• Artificial reef
• Underwater archaeology