As an underwater welder, diving into the deep ocean is part of my job. Working in underwater welding is both challenging and fascinating because every dive is a bit different, and each project has its unique depth requirements. If you’re curious about how deep we go, I’ll take you through the basics, and hopefully, this will answer some of your questions.
Average Depths for Underwater Welders
Most of the time, underwater welders don’t go as deep as you might think. On average, many of us work between 30 to 130 feet underwater. This depth range is considered relatively safe and practical for most welding tasks on structures like docks, pipelines, and ships. At these depths, we can work efficiently without facing too many complications from water pressure or needing specialized equipment.
However, in more specialized jobs, we might need to dive deeper. For example, offshore oil and gas structures like rigs or deep-sea pipelines require underwater welders to go down to 200 feet or more. Going this deep requires additional training and equipment to handle the pressure and stay safe.
Maximum Depths and the Challenges They Bring
For those trained in saturation diving, we sometimes go as deep as 1,000 feet. Saturation diving is a special technique that allows divers to stay at great depths for long periods. It’s used only for the deepest, most complex projects. At these extreme depths, the pressure is incredibly high, and the risks increase significantly.
Deep dives are usually planned with great care because they can affect a diver’s body in various ways. For instance, the deeper we go, the more pressure we feel, which impacts our breathing and how our equipment functions. That’s why only experienced underwater welders, equipped with specialized suits and tools, can work at such depths.
How We Prepare for Deep Dives?
Preparing for deep dives is crucial. We start with a lot of training, not only in welding but also in diving techniques and safety procedures. For dives over 130 feet, we use mixed gases like helium and oxygen (called Heliox) to avoid health issues like nitrogen narcosis, which can make us feel confused or dizzy underwater.
We also use a method called decompression stops when returning to the surface. These stops are breaks we take at different depths to gradually adjust to the changing pressure. If we don’t follow this, it could lead to decompression sickness, also known as “the bends,” which can be serious.
Why Depth Matters in Underwater Welding?
The depth we dive into affects not only the difficulty of our job but also our pay and working conditions. Typically, the deeper the dive, the more we’re paid because of the risks and skills involved. While some welders prefer shallower, safer dives, others take on the challenge of deep-sea projects for excitement and higher earnings.
How Much Do Underwater Welders Make In California?
Personal Review
So, how deep do underwater welders go? Well, it depends on the job! Most of us work between 30 and 130 feet, but some projects take us down as deep as 1,000 feet. It’s a demanding job, but with the right training and safety measures, it’s one of the most rewarding careers in welding.