Restricted Surface Supplied Air Diver

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CDA Technical Institute of the West Indies, Inc. offers the most comprehensive and rigorous commercial diving program that covers all the needed skill sets to succeed as a commercial diver.

CDAWI trains new divers in a shallow depth lagoon which allows the new diver to develop comfort with the equipment prior to moving out into open water. The training is progressive, starting out shallow (5 meters) and ending with deep dives (30 meters). This type of training not only builds confidence, it also builds competency.

The deep diving portion of the training is done from the ship DSV Pipeline Surveyor. The ship is outfitted with multiple dive stations and a wet bell with a L.A.R.S. system and hyperbaric chamber (DDC 54"). Students train on the DSV Pipeline Surveyor, where they dive to depths of up to 30m (99/ft). Surface-supplied diving on the DSV Pipeline Surveyor utilizes advanced equipment, including a Type II Dive Bell, Hot Water Machine and Advanced Video Displays to fulfill the training requirements for the NASE WORLDWIDE Divers Certification Board (NASE). Upon successful completion, divers will earn the - NASE Restricted Surface Supplied Diver certification.

This is the only commercial diving program in the Caribbean to qualify students to receive certifications from ALL of the following:

  • Restricted Surface Supplied Diving Certification from NASE WORLWIDE Divers Certification Board (NASE) -- Allowing our graduates to work worldwide
  • Certificate of successful completion of Topside Welding for Commercial Divers from CDAWI, in accordance with American Welding Society (AWS) standards -- This training provides the foundation necessary to seek a career as a commercial diver
  • Certificate of successful completion of Underwater Welding from CDAWI -- An additional qualification provides the skills necessary to weld underwater*
  • NASE First Aid, CPR, AED & O2 Provider Training (includes Oxygen First Aid, AED use, First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life, CPR First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens) -- Required for all employees in the industry
  • NASE HazMat/Hazwoper from Occupational Health and Safety Administration OSHA -- Required for all employees in the industry
  • Certificate of successful completion of Offshore Survival from CDAWI
  • Certificate of successful completion of CDAWI NDT from NASE, meeting the standards set forth by API & American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) for Levels I & II Visual Inspection, Magnetic Particle and Ultrasonic Thickness for underwater use**
  • Certification from (NASE) for Basic Rigging and certification for Core Curriculum, including Hand and Power Tools, Safety, Blueprint reading -- These skills are a part of the CDAWI Advantage and go beyond the standard diver training

*The following certification requires successful completion of the practical portion of the Underwater Welding course to receive the Underwater Welding Qualification Specialist for Class C fillet weld to AWS D3.6M 2010. For more information on underwater welding, please see Page 21 of AWS D3.6M 2010 or feel free to call Admissions for details.

** These skills are a part of the CDAWI Advantage and go beyond the standard diver training.

If you wish to enroll, click here.

Outline:

  1. Diving Physics
  2. Diving Physiology, Decompression, & Emergency Management Procedures
  3. Diving Equipment, Systems, & Procedures
  4. Practical Use of Diving Equipment
  5. Diving Hazards & Legislation
  6. Diver Communication Systems
  7. Rigging
  8. Underwater Inspections & Searches
  9. Hand & Power Tools
  10. Water Jetting, Airlifts, Venturi Dredges, & Lift Bags**
  11. Cutting & Welding Equipment**
  12. Underwater Construction Techniques**
  13. Hyperbaric Chamber Operations**

** These are topics which are not required for certification but are included as part of the "CDA Advantage."

Program Costs

Tuition - $24,800.00

Registration Fee - $100.00

Equipment - $3,000.00 (estimated)

Open Water Certification - $750.00 (if not already certified)

Diver Physical - $699.00 - NASE Approved

Additional Costs

Housing - $500.00 - 1,200.00 per month (estimated)

Food - $500.00 - 1,000.00 per month (estimated)

Car Rentals - $50.00 - 120.00 per day 

Length of Course

The program of study at CDA Technical Institute of the West Indies requires a minimum of 8 weeks. The maximum number of weeks a student may participate in training is 14 weeks.

Practical Experience Hours - 260
Classroom Hours - 220

Total Hours - 480

Number of Weeks - 8

5 Days per week / 12 Hours per day