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In the UK, commercial diving is strictly regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). To work legally, you must hold an HSE-approved qualification relevant to the type of diving you intend to perform.
The Core Diving Qualifications
Most divers begin their journey by qualifying in one of the following HSE categories:
- HSE SCUBA: The entry-level qualification for media and scientific work.
- HSE Surface Supplied: The “gold standard” for civil engineering and inshore work, where air is supplied from the surface via a “belly line.”
- HSE Offshore Top-Up: Essential for those moving into offshore jobs and saturation diving roles.
Mandatory Safety “Tickets”
In addition to your diving qualification, most employers, especially those in the energy sectors, require you to hold a valid STCW certification package. This ensures you have the basic survival and emergency response skills required for any offshore deployment.
Essential modules include:
- Personal Survival Techniques
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
- Elementary First Aid
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
Specialised Technical Training
To increase your employability, we recommend additional certifications that allow you to work in more diverse environments:
- First Aid at Work: A mandatory requirement for all diving team members.
- Oxygen Administration: Critical for diving-related medical emergencies.
- VHF Radio & Powerboat Level 2: Vital for divers who also assist with boat handling and surface support.
