Offshore diving

Offshore diving is a type of commercial diving, where divers work in support of the exploration and production sector of the oil and gas industry. This type of diving usually takes place in the open ocean, hence the term 'offshore'.

History

Offshore diving as a profession has its roots in the 1960s and 1970s when the oil and gas industry began to explore offshore resources. The need for divers to perform installation, inspection, and maintenance tasks on offshore structures led to the development of this specialized field of diving.

Types of Offshore Diving

There are three main types of offshore diving: Air Diving, Saturation Diving, and Closed Bell Diving.

Air Diving

Air diving is the most common form of offshore diving, where divers breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen. This type of diving is typically conducted at depths of less than 50 meters.

Saturation Diving

Saturation diving involves divers living in a pressurized environment for several days or even weeks. This allows them to work at great depths for extended periods without the need for lengthy decompression periods after each dive.

Closed Bell Diving

Closed bell diving, also known as lockout diving, involves the use of a diving bell that transports divers from the surface to the work site. The bell is pressurized to match the pressure at the work depth.

Safety and Training

Safety is a paramount concern in offshore diving due to the hazardous nature of the work. Divers must undergo rigorous training and certification processes, such as those provided by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI).

See Also

• Commercial diving
• Oil and gas industry
• Underwater welding