You’ve probably heard the saying that “It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it!” Incredibly, some of the world’s dirtiest jobs are also extremely lucrative – even better, they can be a lot of fun. Some of the best dirty jobs are exclusively for divers; let’s take a look at five of the best.
HAZMAT Diver
Nothing is scarier than hazardous materials; all kinds of things qualify as dangerous. One of the most dangerous occupations for divers, HAZMAT diving is also one of the highest paid commercial diving careers you can find. Often, HAZMAT divers are assigned to assess situations in which hazardous materials have been spilled as the result of a maritime accident, oil rig accident, or dumping incident. Once a situation has been assessed and plans have been made for cleanup, teams of HAZMAT divers go back in and begin working to prevent further environmental damage. After being exposed to such materials as fuel, raw sewage, liquid cement, paper pulp, and a variety of chemicals, divers are hosed off and disinfected prior to shedding gear.
HAZMAT divers are equipped with full face masks, rebreathers, dry suits, boots, gloves, and coveralls; some cases call for breathing with the aid of umbilicals, and communications equipment is normally utilized as well. While some companies keep their own HAZMAT divers employed full time, others rely on commercial diving companies to provide divers as needed.
Salvage Diver
Like HAZMAT divers, salvage divers are exposed to a variety of chemicals, although the most commonly encountered are petroleum products like fuel and oil. Salvage divers sometimes come in after HAZMAT divers have performed a majority of cleanup operations, although in some cases, the same divers will perform both functions. Using tools like cutting torches, lift bags, and rigging to salvage wrecks, these divers are sometimes tasked with the additional function of retrieving deceased individuals from wrecked vessels, aircraft, and automobiles.
Salvage divers work under a variety of conditions, most of which are not even remotely close to qualifying as recreational dive sites. Sometimes subjected to swift currents or plagued with very poor visibility, these divers often rely on touch to perform their jobs. Special equipment including air umbilicals, full face masks, and communications gear make the job just a little less challenging.
Nuclear Diver
Nuclear divers run the constant risk of exposure to radiation, rather than waterborne contaminants. Using special equipment to prevent exposure, plus undergoing decontamination after dives mitigates the risk significantly. Besides dive training that focuses on tools and techniques for finding and repairing radiation leaks, nuclear divers must also undergo intense criminal background checks and take psychological tests prior to employment. Once employed, a trip to work involves running through metal detectors and bomb sniffers, then undergoing a hand scan or retinal scan, then entering the nuclear facility. While some nuclear divers work for a single facility and are full time employees, others are employed by commercial diving companies which have contracts with nuclear power plants that rely on divers to carry out vital operations. Hours of briefings usually precede dive operations, and every piece of equipment is tested and retested prior to use.
Once underway, nuclear dive operations are unique. Normally taking place in hot water, inside nuclear reactor cooling tanks, spent fuel pools, and other radioactive environments, these dives include both inspection and maintenance activities. Special cooling suits prevent overheating, and after a dive has been completed, a crew of tenders undergo the task of decontaminating divers. A high stress job and a dirty one, no matter how you look at it, working as a nuclear diver entitles one to excellent pay and good benefits, including plenty of vacation time. While not on vacation though, these divers are often on call and must be ready to respond to a crisis at a moment’s notice.
Civil Engineering Diver
Divers working in civil engineering are usually engineers by trade, and dive as a secondary role. Working on all kinds of structures, such as dams, bridges, and marinas, these professionals conduct regular structural inspections to ensure that stress and degradation is not occurring. Often, they are subjected to poor visibility and swift currents; the job can be stressful.
Divers specializing in civil engineering often take on supervisory roles, in which they ensure that underwater maintenance personnel conduct operations correctly. Mistakes can be costly, and the risk of accidents is often higher than it is in recreational diving. Working with welding equipment, cutting torches, and specially formulated cements and solvents, these divers are exposed to a variety of substances that pose a health hazard. Sewage divers, especially, are exposed to a variety of substances, along with glass, used syringes, and other disgusting items that find their way into storm drains. Society relies on sound infrastructure, though; without individuals who are willing to come into contact with a variety of nasty substances, life would be a lot less pleasant for the rest of us. Decontamination after diving is usually a must!
Commercial Technical Diver
Commercial technical divers are often qualified to conduct a variety of dirty and hazardous diving operations. Often trained to work with hazardous materials and conduct salvage operations, this job can entail some fun as well; some commercial diving operations offer their services to movie studios, providing safety divers and even light and camera operators for underwater production. Commercial tech divers are normally trained to work in very deep water, use a variety of special mixed gases, and utilize welding tools and other power tools to effect important repairs on offshore oil rigs and other infrastructure. As with other dirty jobs for divers, commercial technical diving pays very well and the benefits are fantastic.
There are some requirements in common with all these jobs. First, training as well as refresher training is a must. Divers working in these fields need to be in excellent health, and checkups are normally required every six months or so. Maintaining a drug free lifestyle is also important to training and job success, as is maintaining a good grasp on mental health. While there are risks involved, these jobs are certainly not boring, and each and every assignment tends to involve some type of adventure. If you’re ready to escape the cubicle, and willing to get dirty, one of these careers might be right up your alley.