Professional Diploma in Commercial Diving and Safety
This professional diploma gives you the essential theoretical knowledge to stand out in commercial diving. It covers diving physics, decompression, diving medicine, equipment and safety organisation. It is a theory-based programme: commercial diving qualifications are assessed and issued only by the bodies authorised in each country.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Professional Diploma in Commercial Diving and Safety?
This professional diploma gives you the tools and knowledge you need to stand out in commercial diving. It ranges from diving physiology and the use of specialised equipment to the planning and execution of safe underwater operations in different environments. It also covers underwater inspection, repair and construction techniques, with a rigorous focus on current regulations and risk management.
The programme is theory-based and delivered online. It teaches the subject matter; commercial diving qualifications are assessed and issued only by the bodies authorised in each country, and this diploma is a complement to the certificates you already hold or intend to obtain.
Programme highlights
- Diving on air and mixed gas, safety protocols and international standards.
- Technical skills: specialised equipment, underwater inspection, cutting and welding.
- Risk management, first aid and emergency plans.
- Theoretical preparation that complements the commercial diving qualifications issued by the authorised bodies in each country.
- Scenario-based exercises and project work that prepare you for real operations.
- Comprehensive training focused on professional diving.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Commercial Diving and Safety
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Legal Framework, Regulations and History of Professional Diving
- 1.1. Historical evolution of commercial and industrial diving
- 1.2. International regulatory framework: IMCA, ADCI and OSHA standards and the maritime authority
- 1.3. Legal responsibilities of the diver, diving supervisor and contractor
- 1.4. Operational documentation: logbook, permits to work and checklists
- 1.5. Professional ethics, quality standards and occupational health in underwater works
- 1.6. Types of professional diving: inshore, offshore, scientific and rescue
- 1.7. Organisation of the dive team and roles at the worksite
- 1.8. Professional diving certification bodies
Applied Underwater Physics and Physiology
- 2.1. Physical gas laws (Boyle, Charles, Dalton, Henry) in the hyperbaric environment
- 2.2. Respiratory mechanics, buoyancy and heat transfer in water
- 2.3. Diving pathophysiology: ear, sinus and pulmonary barotrauma
- 2.4. Decompression Sickness (DCS): aetiology, symptoms and classification
- 2.5. Nitrogen narcosis and oxygen toxicity (Lorrain Smith and Paul Bert effects)
- 2.6. Trapped gas syndrome, arterial gas embolism (AGE) and hypercapnia
- 2.7. Occupational medical examination and fitness for commercial diving
- 2.8. Applied gas laws
Self-Contained and Surface-Supplied Diving Equipment
- 3.1. Commercial self-contained diving equipment (heavy-duty scuba) and its limitations
- 3.2. Surface-supplied air systems (SBM/Surface Supplied Diving)
- 3.3. Diving helmets (Kirby Morgan), full-face masks (BandMask) and maintenance
- 3.4. Diving umbilicals: composition, pressure testing, marking and handling
- 3.5. Breathing air compressors, storage banks and air quality (CGA/EN)
- 3.6. Diving suits: wet, semi-dry, dry and hot-water systems
- 3.7. Underwater communications: hard-wired umbilical and emergency systems
- 3.8. Diving equipment maintenance
Decompression Tables, Gas Mixtures and Hyperbaric Medicine
- 4.1. Decompression theory, tissue models and ascent rates
- 4.2. Use of commercial decompression tables (US Navy, DCIEM, French Marine)
- 4.3. Use of hyperoxic mixtures (Nitrox/EANx), Trimix and Heliox in deep diving
- 4.4. In-water decompression procedures and surface decompression using oxygen (SurDO2)
- 4.5. Multiplace/monoplace hyperbaric chambers: operation, components and safety
- 4.6. Emergency chamber treatment protocols for DCS and AGE
- 4.7. Normobaric and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in support of first aid
- 4.8. Treatment of decompression accidents
Underwater Work Techniques and Industrial Tools
- 5.1. Use of underwater hand, pneumatic and hydraulic tools
- 5.2. Underwater thermal cutting techniques (exothermic electrode/Broco) and oxy-fuel cutting
- 5.3. Introduction to wet and dry (hyperbaric) underwater welding
- 5.4. Use of lifting bags and rigging calculations
- 5.5. Operation of high-pressure water jetting and dredging systems
- 5.6. Visual inspection and underwater video/photographic recording for engineering
- 5.7. Measurement taking, concrete sampling and basic non-destructive testing (NDT)
- 5.8. Underwater hydraulic tools
Safety, Risk Analysis and Emergency Assessment
- 6.1. Operational risk assessment (JHRA/HAZOP) applied to diving operations
- 6.2. Procedures for rescuing a trapped or unconscious diver on the bottom
- 6.3. Emergency response plan (ERP) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC)
- 6.4. Environmental hazards: currents, water contamination, zero visibility and confined spaces
- 6.5. Diving work at water intakes, dams, pipelines and areas with differential pressure risk (Delta P)
- 6.6. Prevention of entrapment, umbilical entanglement and loss of communications
- 6.7. Diving accident investigation, root cause analysis and technical reports
- 6.8. Diving emergency plan
Saturation Diving and Complex Offshore Operations
- 7.1. Principles of saturation diving and the theory of limiting solubility
- 7.2. Architecture of saturation systems on board DSVs (Diving Support Vessels)
- 7.3. Operation of the Submersible Diving Chamber (bell, SDC) and Deck Decompression Chambers (DDC)
- 7.4. Habitability, helium-oxygen atmospheres and microclimate management in saturation
- 7.5. Hyperbaric rescue vessel (HRV) and saturation abandonment protocols
- 7.6. Coordination with remotely operated vehicles (ROV) and deck cranes
- 7.7. Safety standards of the offshore oil and petrochemical industry
- 7.8. Saturation systems and diving bells
Diving Project Management and Operational Simulation
- 8.1. Planning, time and cost estimation in underwater engineering works
- 8.2. Logistics of mobilising diving equipment, gases and technical personnel
- 8.3. Diving supervisor leadership, safety briefing and debriefing
- 8.4. Audit and inspection of dive stations before work starts
- 8.5. Quality management and compliance with client specifications
- 8.6. Full-scale emergency drills: loss of air, contamination and entrapment
- 8.7. Presentation of the final project
- 8.8. Final project: preparation of the Diving Operations and Safety Plan for an underwater work
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Commercial Diving and Safety
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in Commercial Diving and Safety
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Commercial Diving and Safety
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Commercial Diving and Safety
The maritime and port sector, including commercial diving, underwater research, aquaculture and safety on offshore platforms.
Yes. The pathway includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with port, ocean, fog, heavy-weather and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator stays/placements through partnership agreements.
Most likely yes, since safety is a key component of the diploma, which usually includes rescue and first aid specific to diving.
Functional SMCP is recommended. We provide support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a related qualification or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Partnerships and the Alumni Network.
Simulator exercises (rubrics), passage plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and an applied master's thesis.
More programmes in Safety and survival
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- An advanced recreational diving certification or demonstrable diving experience.
- A medical certificate of fitness for commercial diving issued by a specialist in hyperbaric or diving medicine.
- Swimming and water rescue skills, including prolonged flotation and towing a diver.
- Documentation: CV, certifications, medical certificate, ID card or passport and accident insurance.
- Recommended personal equipment: mask, fins, snorkel and a suitable wetsuit.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enrol
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.