A job in the the exciting field of hyperbaric welding is considered highly lucrative and highly paid in terms of underwater welding salary. An experienced professional in the area of welding underwater can reach the impressive level of a hyperbaric welding salary earning over $100,000. However, behind such a success you will find many hours spent learning about underwater welding, safety measures and in generally anything related to commercial diving.
Learning About Hyperbaric Welding
Many people with a basic training in scuba diving might think that it is easy to work as a professional in the area of hyperbaric welding. In fact, this is a big mistake.
In order to work as an underwater welder, you need to have an extended knowledge in the field of commercial welding. You should know how to use a hyperbaric chamber and what the effects of helium are on the body. A candidate for a position of a hyperbaric welder will need to pass a written and practical test proving his or her capabilities.
The training classes in the domain of hyperbaric welding are offered by many commercial scuba diving schools. Moreover, you can find reliable theoretical classes online. Regardless of the support of your classes, you may be aware of the fact that without many hours of practice, you will not be able to cope with the challenges of this job.
Challenges of Hyperbaric Welding
A diver works on this rig
The next steps of a successful graduate of a class in underwater welding are:
- The medical verification – You need to have a healthy heart, good eyesight and a balanced blood pressure. The medical tests should be done every year, due to the high risks represented by the welding underwater at a considerably high pressure. Also, you should be able to resist various temperature and pressure variations.
- A psychological test – That would evaluate your mental stability. For example, you do not want to have a panic attack or a claustrophobic outbreak shortly after starting your underwater welding training.
- A rigorous training session in the area of underwater safety. Welding, in general, is considered an activity with various risks. In the case of welding beneath the sea, the risks are even higher.
As in the case of many other welding jobs, do not expect that shortly after you finish your training you might be qualified to coordinate the operations of hyperbaric welding. At least for a couple of months, you will need to practice, practice and practice again. Many are starting their career as an apprentice diver or diver tender.
After a certain amount of time, you will be able to ask for more money and to take more complicated jobs on the basis of your portfolio. Both your skills and your level of training may contribute to a significant boost to your career and to your welder salary.
Most probably, you will find valuable work opportunities by repairing ships, on the offshore oil platforms or in any big docks with an intense industrial activity. Besides your hyperbaric welding activities, you may also be required to do activities like underwater inspections or underwater planning and photography.