15
Found out the average commercial diver only stays in the trade about 5 years - had no idea
I was reading through some industry stats from the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) report last night while waiting for a load in Texas. It said something like 60% of new divers leave before hitting the 3 year mark, mostly because of the wear and tear on joints and the isolation. Has anyone else seen numbers like that or is it different depending on what region you work in?
2 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In2 Comments
angela_park12d ago
You ever actually run into the guys who stick around for 10 years? I've talked to a few old school divers in the Gulf, and they all say the same thing - it's not the deep stuff that gets you, it's the constant pounding of shallow water work. One guy I know, he's 52, still doing harbor maintenance, but he switched to mostly inspection work and light salvage because his shoulders are shot. The trick is to plan your exit early, like get your supervisor cert or move into teaching before your body gives out. Most people just don't realize how fast repetitive descents and heavy gear grind down your knees and lower back.
4