Professional diver, what do they do and how to become one?

Have you ever wondered what exactly a scuba diver does, or how to become one? professional diver?

It is not as if it were easy to give an exact date of the beginning of the profession in the world, the first records of this profession date back to 480 BC when man used diving in search of food and treasures from sunken ships.

Throughout history, there have been many attempts to breathe underwater, the professional diver began to be recognized around the 40s, when Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan, two Frenchmen created the Acqualung, also known as 'water lung'.

What does a professional diver do?

O professional diver in Brazil and in many parts of the world it is like a worker, there are many of them repairing, doing maintenance on ship hulls for example or underwater works.

This type of diver needs to have physical preparation, adequate training, in Brazil it is necessary that his training be recognized by the Navy, since it is a risky job, being able to dive up to more than 50 meters under water.

there is also the professional diver instructor, he is in charge of training other professionals in the class, both certified divers and those who do not have any knowledge.

The diving instructor can guide other already certified divers who are looking to improve their practice, or do the so-called recreational diving.

Recreational diving appeals to a more touristic side, where the instructor guides people who want to dive in search of fun, to admire the underwater landscapes.

How to become a professional diver?

Only in 1966 was PADI (Association of Professional Diving Instructors) founded by Jhon Cronin and Ralph Erickson, focused on scuba diving.

Responsible for creating specific training for professional divers, PADI is recognized as the highest certification in the profession, in more than 186 countries offering its courses to divers.

In Brazil to become a professional diver is required:

• be over 18 years of age;
• have completed high school;
• physical and mental fitness attested by an ASO (Occupational Health Certificate);
• good vision and hearing conditions;
• a certificate of qualification of a shallow professional diving course issued by a school recognized by the DPC (Directorate of Ports and Coasts).

These last up to 3 months. In this case you will still act as professional diver self-employed, that is, you cannot teach courses or guide other people to diving.

How to become a professional scuba instructor?

• be over 18 years of age;
• basic diving course of at least 6 months;
• specialization courses;
• over 100 logged dives.

In the case of training for instructor of diving, there are still stricter steps to follow, even after advanced courses, you will still need to pass a PADI Instructor Exam.

there is the professional diver who are willing to take risks, in the case of workers-style professionals, and there are divers who make their work fun, in the case of tourist instructors, who take people to observe the most beautiful underwater spots, connecting with nature.

In any case, the professional diver evolved throughout history, with its equipment that allows you to breathe underwater, creating a direct connection with nature.