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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.

100% online800 hours8 modulesTaught in EnglishEnrol any time

What is this programme?

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.

Study plan

01Legal Framework, Regulations and History of Commercial Diving100 h
The evolution of commercial and industrial diving and the international regulatory framework, including industry associations, occupational safety regulators and maritime authorities. Legal responsibilities of the diver, the supervisor and the contractor, and operational documentation: logbook, permits to work and checklists. Professional ethics, quality standards, occupational health, types of diving (inshore, offshore, scientific and rescue), organisation and roles of the dive team, and certification bodies.
02Applied Underwater Physics and Physiology100 h
The gas laws (Boyle, Charles, Dalton and Henry) in hyperbaric environments, respiratory mechanics, buoyancy and heat transfer in water. Diving pathophysiology: ear, sinus and lung barotrauma; decompression sickness (aetiology, symptoms and classification); nitrogen narcosis and oxygen toxicity (Lorrain Smith and Paul Bert effects); trapped gas syndrome, arterial gas embolism and hypercapnia. Occupational medical examination and fitness for commercial diving, and practical application of the gas laws.
03Scuba and Surface-Supplied Diving Equipment100 h
Commercial scuba equipment and its limitations, surface air supply systems, diving helmets, band masks and their maintenance. Umbilicals (composition, pressure testing, marking and handling), breathing air compressors, storage banks and air quality standards, suits (wet, semi-dry, dry and hot water), hard-wire and emergency communications, and general equipment maintenance.
04Decompression Tables, Gas Mixtures and Hyperbaric Medicine100 h
Decompression theory, tissue models and ascent rates. Working with commercial tables (US Navy, DCIEM, French Navy) and with mixtures such as Nitrox/EANx, Trimix and Heliox for deep diving. In-water decompression and surface decompression on oxygen (SurDO2), operation and safety of multiplace and monoplace hyperbaric chambers, emergency treatment protocols for decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism, normobaric and hyperbaric oxygen therapy as first-aid support, and treatment of decompression accidents.
05Underwater Work Techniques and Industrial Tools100 h
Use of underwater hand, pneumatic and hydraulic tools, thermal cutting (exothermic electrode) and oxy-cutting, and an introduction to wet and dry (hyperbaric) underwater welding. Lift bags and rigging calculations, high-pressure water jetting and dredging systems, visual inspection with video and photographic recording for engineering purposes, taking measurements, concrete sampling and basic non-destructive testing.
06Safety, Risk Analysis and Emergency Assessment100 h
Operational risk assessment (JHRA/HAZOP) applied to diving tasks, and procedures for rescuing a trapped or unconscious diver on the bottom. Emergency response planning and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). Environmental hazards such as currents, contamination, zero visibility and confined spaces, and work at water intakes, dams, pipelines and areas with differential pressure (Delta P). Prevention of entrapment, umbilical entanglement and loss of communications, and accident investigation with root cause analysis and technical reporting.
07Saturation Diving and Complex Offshore Operations100 h
Principles of saturation diving and solubility limit theory. Architecture of saturation systems on board dive support vessels (DSV) and operation of the diving bell (SDC) and deck decompression chambers (DDC). Habitability, helium-oxygen atmospheres and microclimate management in saturation, the hyperbaric rescue vessel (HRV) and abandonment protocols, coordination with remotely operated vehicles (ROV) and deck cranes, and the safety standards of the offshore oil and petrochemical industry.
08Diving Project Management and Operational Simulation100 h
Planning and estimating time and cost in underwater engineering works, and the logistics of mobilising equipment, gases and technical personnel. Leadership of the diving supervisor, safety briefings and debriefings, auditing of dive stations before work begins, and quality management and compliance with client specifications. Comprehensive emergency drills (loss of air, contamination and entrapment), presentation of the final project, and preparation of a Diving Operations and Safety Plan for an underwater worksite.

Duration and format

800hours in total
8modules of 100 hours
100%online, at your own pace
Openenrolment all year round

At 10 hours a week you would finish in about 80 weeks; at 20 hours a week, in about 40.

What you will learn

  • Master underwater rescue techniques and first aid.
  • Inspect and maintain professional diving equipment.
  • Apply safety regulations and protocols.
  • Lead and manage dive teams in different environments.
  • Carry out specialised work with advanced tools.
  • Assess risks and prepare emergency plans.

Career outcomes

  • Diver in the offshore industry.
  • Salvage and rescue diver.
  • Diver in underwater civil works.
  • Aquaculture diver.
  • Scientific or archaeological diver.
  • Commercial diving instructor.
  • Diving supervisor.
  • Hyperbaric chamber technician.
  • Diving safety consultant.

Entry requirements

  • 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.

How to enrol

Enrol online

Complete your enrolment on this page, or apply through admissions if you prefer to talk to us first.

Receive your access

We send you the details to enter the virtual campus and start the programme.

Study at your pace

Work through the modules when it suits you and complete the programme from anywhere in the world.

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