Some wet-welders also train extensively in underwater videography and still photography to document the progress of important projects. "The article is detailed and the tips are good.". A scuba diveris not enough for you to get the job of an underwater welder. Unlike tradespeople who only perform topside welding (i.e., welding on land), underwater welders must have advanced skills in both diving and welding, including various specialized welding techniques. Search for schools that offer quality training and real world experience in commercial diving and hyperbaric welding. It's said that underwater … If you’re earning based on projects, then you can expect some insane overtimes. You originally stopped by our website because you had an interest in How To Become An Underwater Welder and wanted more information on the topic College Welding Programs. 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. Being an underwater welder is a job for the brave hearted. To become an underwater welder, you will require certification as a commercial diver and training in accordance to the American Welding Society's Underwater Welding Code. Learn more here. Having drugs, alcohol, or an infectious illness in your system can be enough to temporarily disqualify you from receiving a commercial diver certification. From there, you have a better chance of making the cut in the diving industry. I am Indian and I would like to become an underwater welder. Be prepared to spend a considerable amount of money. It's the top commercial diving school on the East Coast with the deepest inland training facility in the nation. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 228,920 times. The basic requirement of becoming an underwater welder begins by being a certified diver. The annual salary for an underwater welder can range from $100,000 to $200,000. Some refer to it as a “cutthroat business” with torturous hours and zero tolerance. Experience starts with training under an instructor or mentor and earning certifications. Is my age a restriction for certification and employment? It may take 7-24 months to complete your welding training and certification, depending on the school or program you choose. Here’s the six steps to capturing your dream as an underwater welder: We’ll go into these more later. Choosing a career as an underwater welder can provide you with an opportunity to apply sought-after skills in a unique and exciting environment. While a career as a commercial diver and underwater welder can be rewarding, it is not for everyone. How to become an underwater welder: Step By Step Guide. 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. Working long hours on projects applies to the entire welding and construction profession in general. Underwater welding doesn’t qualify as a type of welding process like MIG or TIG. If it’s a choice between spending an extra two hours decompressing or risking the bends, always prioritize your health. We mentioned the six steps before. On the flip side, a more specialized program that concentrates solely on underwater welding skills can sometimes be completed in as few as six months. Being a scuba diver is not good enough to get a job as an underwater welder. But, do you know that it is easier for you to gain more money by becoming an underwater welder? 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. (12 years) Earn experience and certification in topside welding (2-5 years) Apply to a commercial dive school and pass their physical exam (1 month) Why does metal “x” react to heat this way? Where should I study? Since underwater welders have way more variables to work with—different atmospheric gas, water and gas pressures, specialized diving and welding equipment, and limited space, in addition to water and electric current supply—it is a field only for expert welder-divers (including engineers and managers) who are fully prepared to avoid risks and handle dangers, such as the following: To become an underwater welder, you will require certification as a commercial diver and training in accordance to the American Welding Society's Underwater Welding Code. It takes a minimum of 2.5 years to become an underwater welder. Read more. Unfortunately, the certifications are just as diverse, and I couldn’t possibly cover all of the certifications available to you. (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.). 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. 1. To become an underwater welder, you need to complete an underwater welding specialist training program, which is offered exclusively through the Commercial Diving Academy… To be an underwater welder, you have to be a surface welder first. If you’re interested in becoming a top-notch commercial diver and underwater welder, then it’s important to be ready for a career that’s physically and mentally challenging. If you are serious about underwater welding, you deserve to know the basic requirements and guidelines before you put your foot in the door. An underwater welding project presents all of the mechanical and technical aspects of surface or topside welding besides some unique challenges which make one’s journey to become an underwater welder an arduous and time-consuming proposition. 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. Certified welders can make it in just 2 to 2.5 years. Becoming an Underwater Welder: Length of Time. 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. You can’t go into it blindly. 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. While a career as a commercial diver and underwater welder can be rewarding, it is not for everyone. As a welder-diver, you construct and repair a world that hardly anyone ever sees, but it keeps our economy afloat everyday. How long would it take for me to become an underwater welder? Inland Versus Offshore Underwater Welding, Dive Medical Technician: Responsibilities, Salary & Certification. 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 believe becoming an underwater welder is right for you, these are the minimum requirements you will need to possess: High school Diploma or GED; Ability to swim The union of welding and commercial diving presents an enormous amount of diverse job opportunities in the work force. % of people told us that this article helped them. How do I get paid to train as an underwater welder? 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 To Become An Underwater Welder Since an underwater welder will be working under the surface of the water, commercial diving certification is required. A successful welder must have a mechanical mind, which means they’re always asking questions and finding answers through troubleshooting. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Become-an-Underwater-Welder-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Become-an-Underwater-Welder-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/16\/Become-an-Underwater-Welder-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid714448-v4-728px-Become-an-Underwater-Welder-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"