Diver

As a diver in the UK, you're not just going for a leisurely swim; you're typically a highly trained professional undertaking a variety of complex tasks underwater. This often means working as a commercial diver, involved in construction, maintenance, inspection, and repair of underwater structures. This could be anything from inspecting oil rigs, wind turbine foundations, and subsea pipelines in the North Sea, to repairing harbour walls, bridges, and even recovering sunken objects in shallower inshore waters. The job requires exceptional physical fitness, meticulous attention to safety protocols, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team in challenging and often hazardous environments. Depending on the specialisation, you might be working in 'surface supplied' mode (air supplied from the surface) or, for deeper or longer duration work, 'saturation diving' (living in a pressurised environment for weeks at a time to avoid decompression sickness). Beyond commercial roles, some divers work in scientific research, archaeological excavation, or even as police search and recovery divers. The career is physically demanding and often involves extensive travel, particularly for offshore projects. Training is rigorous and involves gaining industry-recognised qualifications, such as those compliant with HSE diving regulations, which are essential for working commercially in the UK. Many divers also develop specialist skills in welding, non-destructive testing, or operating remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). It's a career for those who thrive on problem-solving, enjoy hands-on work, and are comfortable in an unconventional workplace.