10 Interesting Facts About Commercial Divers

Commercial divers risk life and limb every time they enter the water. It's one of the most mentally and physically demanding jobs out there. It's also one of the most dangerous. Divers must be in prime physical condition and undergo countless hours of training and retraining before setting a single foot into the water. There's no room for error when keeping a diver alive while underwater, so an entire crew of highly trained professionals must accompany the diver on the job. We've compiled ten interesting facts about commercial divers to share with you. After reading them, you'll better appreciate the brave people who suit up and willfully descend into a lake or ocean's cold, murky depths.

Around 6 Divers Die Each Year

The CDC estimates there were around 3,380 commercial divers in the U.S. in 2017. From 2011 to 2017, around 39 divers perished each year while on the job. Many dangers could have caused these fatalities:

• Deep pressure
• Falling metal beams
• Falling equipment
• Drowning
• Bends

ChoosingIt's a reputable commercial diving company such as American Underwater Services is crucial. We only allow our crews or divers to set a single toe into any body of water once we're 100% certain of their safety and those around them. Our divers and crews undergo rigorous and extensive training to ensure successful job completion and their safe return to the water's surface.

Diving Suits are Sometimes Heated

The deeper you go, the colder it gets. A heated suit is a must for jobs requiring diving deeper than 80 feet. It helps protect the diver from hypothermia and allows them to maintain their mental faculties. After all, would you like to go to work where your office was a chilly 30 degrees Fahrenheit?

They Sometimes Find Bodies

An unfortunate aspect of diving is that sometimes, the diver will come across a previously unknown human body. It could be from a diving accident or suicide. By law, the divers are required to report the find to the Coast Guard and the local authorities.

They Sometimes Dive into Raw Sewage

Commercial divers sometimes have to dive into poop-filled pools of water at wastewater treatment plants to fix broken machinery. In situations like this, they wear a sealed dry suit that prevents bacteria-laden sewage water from coming into contact with their bodies. This is one of the more dangerous jobs that commercial divers can undertake. If an accidental rip in their dry suit occurs, they could be exposed to nasty and potentially fatal bacteria.

Divers Carry Knives

No, they don't carry knives to fight man-eating sharks. Divers carry knives in case they accidentally get trapped. Loose fishing lines or other materials, such as seaweed, can sometimes get wrapped around a diver's body or gear. A knife carried on their legs can help them instantly free themselves from what could turn into a hazardous situation.

They Sometimes Feed Fish

Divers can inadvertently feed fish if they're tasked with clearing marine life and other debris around an area. This debris can consist of small mollusks and crabs that the local fish find irresistible. While sharks can swim by a diver working in the ocean, the chances of an encounter are usually slim to none. Sharks are solitary creatures and are smart enough to realize that a diver isn't on the menu.

Delta P

The laws of physics still apply even when underwater. Delta P is something that all divers fear and respect. It is a condition in pipes wherein the internal pressure is much higher than the surrounding environment. This means that if a diver gets too close to a crack in the pipeline, they can literally be sucked into a very small hole in a fraction of a second. The video below gives you an example of just how dangerous Delta P is:

Professional Commercial Divers

At American Underwater Services, we have decades of experience in commercial diving. We can safely tackle any job, no matter how big or small. If you have a commercial diving job you'd like to discuss, call us today at (817) 377-8512.