What occupational diving covers
ITDA Occupational Diving covers the following skill sets, each with its own entry requirement and its own qualification.
Where occupational diving starts
It is generally agreed in the industry that scuba diving training is completely inadequate for occupational diver training. Entry level from ITDA to Occupational Diving is therefore from an Advanced Diver level with a minimum of 30+ open water dives, or a Technical diver.
With the clear exception of dry specialist work — ROV Operator, Hyperbaric Tender and similar roles — the general diver is trained in: SSA, Full Face or Band Mask with communications, Scuba to Hard Hat and the use of general underwater tools, plus emergency procedures and hyperbaric chamber operations.
Search and Recovery — body and vehicle — is included in our PSD Public Safety Diving programs.
The disciplines
Occupational diving covers many disciplines — here is what the main ITDA-IHMP occupational programs involve.
Hard Hat Diving with SSA / UW Comms
After Scuba to Full Face / Band Mask or Hard Hat, the next level is to master SSA — Surface Supplied Air — where a diver or a team of divers works from a compressor or high-volume cylinders at the surface, boat platform or support vessel. This requires an experienced surface dive supervisor or project manager who is also trained in emergency recovery and hyperbaric operations.
Full Face / Band Mask, SSA & UW Comms
The use of a full face or band mask is not common in scuba diving, although technical divers often use this equipment for additional safety when mixed gas diving. Full face masks may also be used for underwater communications in both scuba and technical diving — ITDA offers training and certification in this equipment. Note that different manufacturers may apply different standards.
Research & Scientific Diving
Research diving is a type of technical diving that involves the collection of scientific data in underwater environments. It requires specialised training and equipment to safely and effectively carry out data collection and analysis. Research divers may also be called upon to assist with underwater construction, maintenance and repair work.
Public Safety Diving
Public safety diving is a specialised form of diving that focuses on search and rescue, evidence retrieval and hazardous material operations in a public safety context. It is a high-risk activity requiring a high level of training and safety protocol — and it offers the chance to provide a valuable service to the community.
ROV & UW Video Operations
This Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle training program is designed to equip divers with the skills and knowledge required to safely operate and maintain ROVs for a variety of operations, including search and recovery, deep exploration and monitoring. Participants become familiar with the components of the ROV system and the fundamentals of in-water operations, maintenance and troubleshooting.
IHMP Hyperbaric Operations
Hyperbaric training is designed to give divers the knowledge and skills needed to safely and effectively complete operations in a hyperbaric environment. It covers the physics, physiology and operation of hyperbaric chambers with the associated medical and safety considerations, and the safety protocols and procedures to follow when working in a hyperbaric environment.
Standards & recognition
Occupational diving standards around the world may be local, national or federal — for example UK HSE and ADAS — and the industry is represented by organisations such as IMCA and IADC / ADC.
SITA-IHMP (ITDA)-DFA meets the Singapore Ministry of Manpower and Workplace Safety and Health Council standards, and is recognised by such bodies.
Training partners
For Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia our training partner is SITA — Subsea International Training Associates Pte. Ltd., based in Singapore, covering our full range of diver training and international certifications: sport and recreational scuba, technical diving, IHMP First Responder / First Aid and Hyperbaric, plus ITDA Academy for higher education in diving. Contact ITDA-IHMP HQ if you would like to work with us as a partner.