Underwater welding?????

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Anyone done it or know anything about it?I'm thinking about getting my dive certification and buying some dive gear for a hobby. There is a demand here for underwater welders to weld up peoples docks...... So was wondering how hard it is, what type of welder is used, techniques, things that complicate it, etc.Anyone know anything about it?If you can't fix it with a welder and a hammer, then you either need a bigger hammer or you've got an electrical problem.
Reply:i know a bunch of underwater welders, in all the years they were doing it, they could count the number of times they have actually had to do it, on one hand.Underwater deconsruction, cutting, dismantling, rigging, repair work, inspection, is alot more common.
Reply:A recreational dive certification ( PADI, NAUI, SSI, TDI, etc.) will not help you at all. You will need to take a full class on commercial diving.There are a great many things that complicate underwater welding.Any sort of underwater welding for hire is covered by OSHA. It is considered as a "confined space" among other things. First it's always a team effort. The diver/welder who does the work. The there is a tender who manages the hoses, communications, powers up and shuts off the welder and a supervisor/ stand by diver, who is there if any problems occur.Welding is always done in 2 way communication with those topside. The diver calls for the power to be turned on, he welds, then calls for the leads to be made cold so he can change rods, chip and so on. Surface supplied full face / helmets are worn. Welding creates hydrogen gas which can and does explode. This can render the diver unconscious and damage his gear. I have seen the face plate on a commercial helmet smashed by a hydrogen explosion while welding. Only quick action by the diver and surface personnel prevented a serious injury and this was in less that 8' of water. Had the diver been knocked unconscious by the blast chances are high he could have drowned before we could get him to the surface, even from such a shallow depth.Special training is required to cut / weld underwater. However, this is not something that you can learn just by itself. It is only tought as part of a complete curriculum on commercial diving.In reality very little welding is usually done underwater. Most work is done using nuts and bolts due to the hazards and costs involved in underwater welding.Read these threads and see if it answers some of your questions.http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...ad.php?t=28744http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtal...ad.php?t=30158There is some work that you can do with standard SCUBA gear. Clean boat hulls, replace zinks, check props, recover snarled anchors, some dock repairs (but it's usually all wrench work). Pool repairs are big around near me. The pool companies are always looking for guys who dive, to patch pools, unclog drains, and so on.I work as a PT commercial diver, tender & stand by / saftey diver. I have recreational certifications as closed circuit rebreather, technical support leader, dive master, asst instructor, full cave, trimix (240'), gas blender, O2 technician, reg repair tech for 5 different mfgs. I would be happy to answer any of your questions. PM me and I'll give you my number so we can talk.
Reply:That sounds like alot more trouble than I expected it to be. I was thinking, a generator (if needed), underwater welder (what ever is used), someone calls and needs some work, pull up, roll genny and welder out, dive down, glue it up real quick, collect cash, load up and go home.My other idea is make a toon lift and do boat and dock recovery, cause here at least 1 boat sinks every week and during storms docks sink taking boats with them. On the lake closest to me it's usually a boat vs boat collision so often 2 go down there. There is only one person doing recovery right now and charging BIG money (but my understanding the boat owners are fined up to $2000 per day pollution fines  for every day it's at the bottom "I hope I never have to confirm that with personal experience") so they'll pay to get it up asap.But I wondered if you had to be Bonded and what all would be needed for safety precautions.  Not so much OSHA but just the common sense safety.I haven't been to a diving class yet so I don't know anything about the dangers underwater other than my fear of getting tangled in marine growth and running out of air. The other thing I would defiantly want to do is water rescue training, so I can volunteer underwater search and rescue.If you can't fix it with a welder and a hammer, then you either need a bigger hammer or you've got an electrical problem.
Reply:we do a bit of boat recovery from time to time. Boat recovery is done with lift bags. Think of it as a parachute in reverse. The key is in rigging so the boat doesnt shift or break when lifting. You attach the bags then fill with air. It's more complicated than that but that's the basics. Again it's usually a multi man job. One guy in the water rigging, the others sending him gear, adding air to the bags and so on. I don't deal with the environmental part of our work but I am willing to bet that there are EPA standards and bonds that must be metMarine growth seldom tangles divers, fishing line, nets, rope are the usual culprits. A good knife and a pair of shears will take care of most problems. Running out of air is all about paying attention to what you have. There is almost no good reason a diver runs out of air, except stupidity. Search and rescue is a growing area. Again standard open water training will not get you very far. It helps, but it is covered by OSHA regs and is closer to commercial diving than SCUBA. Most local volunteer units will train you if you are SCUBA certified, but don't expect to do much diving. Expect to hump gear, tend safety lines, row the boat etc. Remember, you are doing body recoveries, it's seldom rescue. If you don't like the idea of hauling out week old dead bodies it's not for you. Sorry to be harsh, it's the truth almost all the time I'm sad to say.Like I offered before, let me know and I'll give you some info on all this. Be sure and let me know before you buy any gear. There's a lot of new gear on the market that will really help you out but often many dive shops aren't aware it's out there. I went through the "buy it all once then get rid of it at a loss and start over". I hate to see guys get the wrong gear when they could have gotten better stuff for often less money.Where do you live anyways? Post it in your CP and then we will all know.Good luck.Last edited by DSW; 06-02-2008 at 08:53 PM.
Reply:Huh thats wierd I thought I filled out my user CP after I first joined.PM sent,Here the recoveries I've watched they use a basically a hoist on 2 pontoon logs. Very basic primitive and simple. Tie on to the aft with a Y strap and another on the bow eye then hoist it to the surface with an electric winch mounted to the frame between the logs overhead.My fear is not running out of air do to letting the tanks run out. But getting tangled in something, not able to get free then running out of air or cutting my own line on a rock or something while I try to cut myself free.If you can't fix it with a welder and a hammer, then you either need a bigger hammer or you've got an electrical problem.
Reply:Replied.
Reply:Originally Posted by PSS-MagThat sounds like alot more trouble than I expected it to be. I was thinking, a generator (if needed), underwater welder (what ever is used), someone calls and needs some work, pull up, roll genny and welder out, dive down, glue it up real quick, collect cash, load up and go home.My other idea is make a toon lift and do boat and dock recovery, cause here at least 1 boat sinks every week and during storms docks sink taking boats with them. On the lake closest to me it's usually a boat vs boat collision so often 2 go down there. There is only one person doing recovery right now and charging BIG money (but my understanding the boat owners are fined up to $2000 per day pollution fines  for every day it's at the bottom "I hope I never have to confirm that with personal experience") so they'll pay to get it up asap.But I wondered if you had to be Bonded and what all would be needed for safety precautions.  Not so much OSHA but just the common sense safety.I haven't been to a diving class yet so I don't know anything about the dangers underwater other than my fear of getting tangled in marine growth and running out of air. The other thing I would defiantly want to do is water rescue training, so I can volunteer underwater search and rescue.
Reply:i've spent the last six years working as a commercial diver doing mainly salvage work and offshore oil and gas work.  i've wet welded one time since dive school.  dive school was six months long, after dive school you typically work as a tender for 2-3 years before you break out as a diver. expect to have to buy a lot of gear, and expect to have to pay around 4500$ for the hat alone.  this is not something you just fall into, diving is a great way to get out of diving is what my boss always says, its a great way to make a lot of money in a short amount of time, but its hell on your personal life.  the work itself can be a lot of fun, but its inconsistent, you never know where you'll be or when. check out these two siteswww.offshorediver.com www.inland-diver.com
Reply:I have read that there are many health issues related to underwater welding.  The diving takes a toll on the body over time or something.  I think nitrogen bubbles can build up in the blood, and people can get a disease like the bends or something.  It can effect all the muscles in the body etc....People really should limit the amount of dive time I am told.
Reply:I called and talked to DSW the other night. After talking with him and reading the replies, I think I'll just get my open water License and just dive for fun. (Like I need another hobby to spend my money on.....Like I have extra money for a new hobby....)  Ahh well it's only money I'll make more they say.If you can't fix it with a welder and a hammer, then you either need a bigger hammer or you've got an electrical problem.