I retired from diving after 9 years to become a registered nurse. Reasons I left diving 1. The pay hadn’t changed since the 70s, so inflation slowly ate away your quality of life. In fact, when I left depth pay was being decreased instead of increased. 2. Job security. Jobs get scarce, you may take a short shallow job, and miss a great gas job because you just needed to make money now. 3. Not much room for growth. Diver, Supervisor, possibly Sat. I truly miss it, and I often wonder where I would be if I didn’t leave. Think hard before you go. I do have some regrets.
The wage stagnation has been crazy and while it’s affecting almost every skilled industry it’s a shame it’s affected one as hazardous and niche as ours as hard as it is. Us zoomers are working to fix it, I know when I started as a tender about 8 years ago I laughed at the initial offers and was able to negotiate several dollars an hour more (following a probationary period of course), when the senior divers heard how much I was making as a tender they threw fits and that pushed their wages up. Slowly but surely all across the industry that’s happening, on top of carpenters Union membership spreading. It’s a damn shame pay hasn’t changed since the 70s and 80s because we all know damn well the companies have upped their prices for services since then 🙄 Anyways, not sure what creative ways people in the past came up to supplement income in slow seasons but I do private marine construction (building docks and stuff) and got rope access training to weld on rigs, which is what I always tell new divers to do. Anyways, of how I wish to have lived in the hey day of diving when $30 an hour was basically rich 😭
I don't know about food, I just try and pack tons and tons of calories because I get cold easily. Good exercises, squats, flutter kicks, a lot of core exercise, and any cardio you can do.
If you haven’t gone in yet or anyone else reading this, look up the army engineer diver packet. Should be a pdf that has a training regimen made for people to pass their diver’s physical fitness test. Obviously you could cut what they say in half but there’s a reason they do it, gets you strong and comfortable swimming, lifting, and treading water. I came from Army diving and the army makes you do a lot of stupid stuff and unnecessary PT but that one was actually worth it and job relevant imo
I am thinking about getting into the dive industry...but I keep hearing that the pay isn't really that great, but then again I hear that it is great. Do you make good money for the company you work for???
Worked, and no, I didnt. For the work I was doing I was making dogshit. As an engineering technician-diver, report lead, cad lead, employee trainer, and IT guy, who wrote the companies dive maintenance manual, designed thier online mobile reporting system, repaired countless engines, compressors, dive systems, water heaters, after four years I topped out at $20.01/hr. Made a legitimate HR complaint, and after that was ignored I told them I was looking for a new job. Thier response was to fire me. I love diving, and genuinely loved what I did, but if you're looking to make money, look elsewhere. As a diver, you will always be replacable.
Hey Salty, what would you say the majority of inland entry level positions are? Could one expect to be in the water out of school or is a few years in the gulf pretty much required to get your foot through the door? Thanks
Hey Shawn, Getting into inland and offshore diving are two entirely different beasts. If you go offshore, you will probably not jump for at least the first year. Inland diving is a lot more forgiving. A master diver I know said that if you really want a shot at having a diving career, than inland is the way to go. The jobs really vary quite a bit. I inspect bridges and waterfront structures for an engineering firm, but there is also work in construction, and power plants. I knew a guy once who dove in water towers. Unfortunately, the job market is very slim on the inland side, and the turnover rate, from what I understand, is no where near what it is for the gulf.
Hey bro ? I’m planning to go to commercial diving school in one year . I scored a cruise ship job and I wanted to take the one year onboard a ship before I come back and pay for the 4 month training . I was given a list of stuff I need to buy for school and he said “ gloves “ but wasn’t specific . What are the best gloves to buy for commercial diving ?
Look up neoprene gloves, buy one regular neoprene pair and buy one neoprene Kevlar pair. The neoprene pairs are usually like $20 and the Kevlar reinforced work gloves are $40-60 a pair. I’ve gone through a couple of the regular neoprenes but I still have the same pair of Kevlar ones. Both are water proof
I got to hear a story from an older diver who got the fabulous opportunity to inspect the over 100 year old sewers in Baltimore. He said the pipe diameter was around 3 feet. I cant remember what he said he had to penetrate to, but it must have been over 1000 feet. That is some hairy shit there.
Girls swipe right because divers like to go down frequently.
I retired from diving after 9 years to become a registered nurse. Reasons I left diving
1. The pay hadn’t changed since the 70s, so inflation slowly ate away your quality of life. In fact, when I left depth pay was being decreased instead of increased.
2. Job security. Jobs get scarce, you may take a short shallow job, and miss a great gas job because you just needed to make money now.
3. Not much room for growth. Diver, Supervisor, possibly Sat.
I truly miss it, and I often wonder where I would be if I didn’t leave. Think hard before you go. I do have some regrets.
The wage stagnation has been crazy and while it’s affecting almost every skilled industry it’s a shame it’s affected one as hazardous and niche as ours as hard as it is. Us zoomers are working to fix it, I know when I started as a tender about 8 years ago I laughed at the initial offers and was able to negotiate several dollars an hour more (following a probationary period of course), when the senior divers heard how much I was making as a tender they threw fits and that pushed their wages up. Slowly but surely all across the industry that’s happening, on top of carpenters Union membership spreading. It’s a damn shame pay hasn’t changed since the 70s and 80s because we all know damn well the companies have upped their prices for services since then 🙄 Anyways, not sure what creative ways people in the past came up to supplement income in slow seasons but I do private marine construction (building docks and stuff) and got rope access training to weld on rigs, which is what I always tell new divers to do. Anyways, of how I wish to have lived in the hey day of diving when $30 an hour was basically rich 😭
Finally you make it worth watching make more motivating vids bout our job bruv
I'll have to remember the fly trick the next time I help dress a MkV diver ;)
Thank you for the video! Would you recommend someone getting into commercial diving or is it harder to get jobs nowadays?
What’s the best exercises you can do to get ready and any foods you need to eat to stay in fit?
I don't know about food, I just try and pack tons and tons of calories because I get cold easily. Good exercises, squats, flutter kicks, a lot of core exercise, and any cardio you can do.
If you haven’t gone in yet or anyone else reading this, look up the army engineer diver packet. Should be a pdf that has a training regimen made for people to pass their diver’s physical fitness test. Obviously you could cut what they say in half but there’s a reason they do it, gets you strong and comfortable swimming, lifting, and treading water. I came from Army diving and the army makes you do a lot of stupid stuff and unnecessary PT but that one was actually worth it and job relevant imo
I love diving I don't care what stress I have to go through!!!! I always wanted to Deep dive
I am thinking about getting into the dive industry...but I keep hearing that the pay isn't really that great, but then again I hear that it is great. Do you make good money for the company you work for???
Worked, and no, I didnt. For the work I was doing I was making dogshit. As an engineering technician-diver, report lead, cad lead, employee trainer, and IT guy, who wrote the companies dive maintenance manual, designed thier online mobile reporting system, repaired countless engines, compressors, dive systems, water heaters, after four years I topped out at $20.01/hr. Made a legitimate HR complaint, and after that was ignored I told them I was looking for a new job. Thier response was to fire me. I love diving, and genuinely loved what I did, but if you're looking to make money, look elsewhere. As a diver, you will always be replacable.
What kind of cat is that? I use to have the exact same cat as a kid, she was a stray...
Hey Salty, what would you say the majority of inland entry level positions are? Could one expect to be in the water out of school or is a few years in the gulf pretty much required to get your foot through the door? Thanks
Hey Shawn,
Getting into inland and offshore diving are two entirely different beasts. If you go offshore, you will probably not jump for at least the first year. Inland diving is a lot more forgiving. A master diver I know said that if you really want a shot at having a diving career, than inland is the way to go. The jobs really vary quite a bit. I inspect bridges and waterfront structures for an engineering firm, but there is also work in construction, and power plants. I knew a guy once who dove in water towers. Unfortunately, the job market is very slim on the inland side, and the turnover rate, from what I understand, is no where near what it is for the gulf.
Thanks! Heading to DIT next month, can't wait to join your exciting industry!
@@MrJnichols86 how did it go?!
What's a good age to start diving as a learner and graduate upto commercial diver.?
Hey bro ? I’m planning to go to commercial diving school in one year . I scored a cruise ship job and I wanted to take the one year onboard a ship before I come back and pay for the 4 month training . I was given a list of stuff I need to buy for school and he said “ gloves “ but wasn’t specific . What are the best gloves to buy for commercial diving ?
Look up neoprene gloves, buy one regular neoprene pair and buy one neoprene Kevlar pair. The neoprene pairs are usually like $20 and the Kevlar reinforced work gloves are $40-60 a pair. I’ve gone through a couple of the regular neoprenes but I still have the same pair of Kevlar ones. Both are water proof
How long you been diving Salty ?
You said you live in the greater Olympia washington area. I currently live in bremerton! Did you go to DIT?
+hamsterman1995 Nope, I went to Divers Academy International. Was transplanted this year from my office in SC to a new office in Tacoma.
Bremerton is a shit hole
My fren how much the coast of fullface mask and dry suit?
money dont get no girls trust me its all about your integrity and reputation and how that person makes you feel when your in the same room.
Must fun diving in those settlement tanks at your local sewage treatment plant, yeeha
I got to hear a story from an older diver who got the fabulous opportunity to inspect the over 100 year old sewers in Baltimore. He said the pipe diameter was around 3 feet. I cant remember what he said he had to penetrate to, but it must have been over 1000 feet. That is some hairy shit there.
No. 1 Divers do it deeper.
Hey bro I want to get into commercial diving but I'm 6" 4 300 lbs. Power lifter.
Chris Behrens as long as your head can fit in a dive hat you’re good to go.
you look like a dive Instructor
😂. women wanna have fun and a niqqa with sum change, and I doubt tht ever change. - Ricky Rozay
Your girl was fucking hilarious
LMFAO! Your girl is funny as fuck
That girl is bad vibes