Approximately 10 million Americans have taken lessons and earned certification as scuba divers. For most, scuba diving is a hobby, a welcome break from the daily grind of commuting to and from a 9-to-5 job. Quite a few divers have taken it a step further, though. They've traded in the wingtip shoes for swim fins to pursue careers that allow them to earn a living from scuba diving.

The opportunities are thereand they are growing. Some careers, such as diving instructor, are "all about" diving. In addition, there are many careers in which scuba diving is a valuable, and even essential, job skill. Here's a summary of careers to which scuba diving can open the door.

RECREATION AND TOURISM

Diving Instructor. About 500,000 Americans learn to scuba dive each year. Qualified instructors, certified by recognized organizations like the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), enjoy good incomes while meeting new people and passing on their skills (and enthusiasm) to new divers. Some instructors also teach advanced skills such as the use of rebreathing systems and deep diving techniques.

Tour Guide. Taking a trip built around diving in exotic waters, from the reefs of Belize to the atolls of the South Pacific, is a dream vacation for many diving enthusiasts. A tour guide helps tourists to find the best places and get the most out of their experience. This is a safe way to explore unfamiliar waters.

PUBLIC SERVICE

Military. For those who meet the stringent requirements (and make it through intense training), serving in a unit such as the SEALS is a rewarding career.

Police and SAR (Search and Rescue). Search and rescue divers, along with underwater forensic investigators, have important roles in law enforcement. Like many diving-related careers, these require additional training. One example is the Diving Accident Response Technician (DART)the underwater equivalent of the EMT or paramedic.

ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATION

Photographers and Filmmaking. Underwater photography and filmmaking are big business, and not just in Hollywood. Documenting the images and activity of the undersea world are important scientific tools. Educational films also serve as valuable learning resources for students.

Stunt Diver. Underwater action scenes are a movie and television staple, and provide opportunities for divers who enjoy some extra excitement!

COMMERCIAL

Underwater Welder. This is a key skill that is vital to offshore operations such as oil rigs.

Inspection and maintenance diver. Ships, boats, bridges, and other structures all need to be inspected and maintained.

Undersea Farming. Ocean-based fish farming is a growing industry, and is likely to become more important, since wild fish populations are declining due to over-fishing.

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

Marine biologists, film and photography technicians, and oceanographers all rely heavily on scuba diving to do their research. This work is likely to become even more important in the future as warming oceans result in ecological changes.

FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

Oceans make up three-quarters of the Earth's surface. In the future, many new opportunities for professional divers will be created as industry, governments, and scientists expand activities in the marine world. For example, today virtually all our mineral resources (except oil and natural gas) come from deposits on land. The seabed is virtually untouched. As new technology makes tapping these resources feasible, scuba divers will be needed to work in a whole range of new jobs.

Learn more about this author, W D Adkins.
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