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Commercial Divers

SOC 49-9092.00Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers commercial diving operations across harbor, offshore, and industrial infrastructure environments including underwater inspection, structural repair, equipment maintenance, safety management, and diver training at Job Zone 3 preparation levels.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Diving equipment (helmets, masks, air tanks, harnesses, and gauges) — inspect and check for defects under direct supervision before each dive at a commercial job site.
  2. Safety protocols for dive length and depth limits — follow and record under the guidance of a senior diver during supervised commercial operations.
  3. Dive registration requirements and pre-expedition authority notifications — complete using provided checklists under direct oversight on assigned projects.
  4. Scuba gear and diving suit donning procedures — execute with the assistance of a diver helper in controlled nearshore or harbor environments.
  5. Underwater communication signals and telephone equipment — use to relay basic status updates to surface personnel during entry-level dive tasks.
  6. Task briefings and environmental condition reports — receive, read, and confirm understanding before descending on a supervised commercial dive.
  7. Underwater steel and wood structure surfaces — observe and document visible conditions using standard forms under the direction of an experienced inspector.
  8. Still photography equipment used in underwater inspections — operate to capture assigned image sequences under direct instruction at dockside or pipeline sites.
  9. Personal protective equipment and dive safety checklists — apply consistently and report any anomalies to the dive supervisor on every shift.
  10. Basic mechanical operation of dive support tools and gauges — monitor and report readings to surface crew during routine supervised descents.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Dive equipment maintenance schedules (helmets, regulators, air tanks, and gauges) — perform routine servicing and log results with reduced oversight at a commercial dive facility.
  2. Dive depth and bottom-time safety limits — calculate and monitor independently using dive tables or computers during standard commercial underwater tasks.
  3. Signal line and underwater telephone systems — manage two-way communications with surface teams reliably during multi-phase inspection or repair dives.
  4. Scuba and surface-supplied diving gear — select, configure, and don appropriate equipment based on site conditions such as current, visibility, and water temperature.
  5. Environmental condition data (current, depth, temperature, and hazards) — gather and assess before dive operations to adjust plans within established protocols.
  6. Underwater pipeline, cable, and dock inspections — conduct using closed-circuit television and testing equipment with routine accuracy on assigned sections.
  7. Underwater structural defect patterns in steel and wood — recognize and classify using established criteria during independently executed inspection dives.
  8. Dive buddy and diver-helper coordination — execute pre-dive and in-water teamwork tasks to maintain safety and operational efficiency on commercial projects.
  9. Quality control checks on photographic and video inspection data — review captured imagery against project specifications before submitting to supervisors.
  10. Time management across dive rotations and decompression schedules — apply to keep multi-diver teams on schedule during full-day commercial operations.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full dive safety management plans (depth limits, decompression schedules, and authority registration) — develop and enforce autonomously for complex commercial projects in open-water or industrial environments.
  2. Complete inspection and testing of docks, ships, buoys, plant intakes, pipelines, and sewers — execute using CCTV, photography, and analytical testing equipment with independent judgment on non-routine findings.
  3. Underwater repair and maintenance tasks on structural steel and wood components — diagnose, plan, and perform with minimal supervision in high-current or low-visibility conditions.
  4. Critical equipment failures (regulators, suits, and communication systems) — troubleshoot and resolve underwater or at the surface to restore safe dive operations on active job sites.
  5. Dive operation reports and inspection findings — synthesize and communicate clearly to clients, engineers, and regulatory authorities following completed commercial dive projects.
  6. Complex problem-solving during live dives (entanglement, equipment malfunction, or unexpected structural hazards) — apply deductive reasoning and prior experience to resolve safely within real-time constraints.
  7. Surface-supplied diving and mixed-gas systems — operate and control with precision during deep or saturation dives on offshore or industrial infrastructure projects.
  8. Multi-diver job-site coordination (task sequencing, safety watches, and equipment sharing) — manage to maximize efficiency and safety across concurrent dive teams on large-scale commercial assignments.
  9. Regulatory and customer service requirements for dive contracts — interpret and fulfill, ensuring project deliverables meet client specifications and public safety standards.
  10. Physics principles governing pressure, buoyancy, and gas behavior — apply when calculating gas mixtures, decompression profiles, and equipment load limits for non-standard dive scenarios.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational dive safety programs (protocols, emergency response plans, and regulatory compliance frameworks) — design and implement across multiple crews and project sites to establish enterprise-wide standards.
  2. Diver training and apprenticeship programs — develop curriculum for and instruct, guiding emerging and developing divers through skill progression in commercial dive vocational contexts.
  3. Strategic pre-dive environmental and task intelligence processes — lead, establishing systematic methods for collecting and acting on data to reduce organizational risk on high-stakes projects.
  4. Dive team performance and quality assurance standards — set and enforce, reviewing inspection data, repair outcomes, and safety records to drive continuous improvement across the organization.
  5. Cross-functional coordination with engineers, project managers, and regulatory bodies — direct as the senior dive authority to align underwater operations with construction, maintenance, and safety objectives.
  6. Capital equipment procurement and maintenance systems for dive assets (suits, helmets, CCTV units, and analytical tools) — oversee to ensure fleet readiness and cost-effective lifecycle management.
  7. Complex incident investigation and root-cause analysis following dive accidents or near-misses — lead, producing corrective-action recommendations adopted as organizational policy.
  8. Mentorship and performance development of mid-career and senior divers — provide, identifying capability gaps and designing individualized growth plans within commercial diving teams.
  9. Industry best practices and emerging technology in underwater inspection and repair — evaluate and integrate into organizational workflows, keeping the enterprise at the forefront of the commercial diving field.
  10. Client relationships and business development for commercial dive contracts — lead negotiations and scope-of-work development, translating technical dive capabilities into customer-valued service offerings.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-sourced dive site briefings — retrieves environmental condition summaries and hazard reports from AI tools before expeditions, cross-checking outputs against supervisor guidance and official dive registers.
Developing
  1. Equipment maintenance logging — uses AI-assisted checklists to track inspection cycles for helmets, air tanks, harnesses, and gauges, flagging discrepancies for senior diver review WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Dive plan drafting — inputs depth targets, bottom times, and crew roles into an AI assistant to generate preliminary safety protocols, then validates each parameter against established decompression tables.
Proficient
  1. Critical-thinking-assisted risk assessment — applies AI-generated risk matrices to real dive conditions while exercising independent judgment on factors the model cannot observe, such as current strength or visibility Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Surface communication scripting — directs an AI tool to draft standardized signal-line and telephone communication scripts for specific task types, then field-tests and edits each script before crew deployment WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Incident report generation — dictates post-dive observations to an AI transcription tool, reviews the structured output for accuracy, and submits finalized reports to authorities.
Advanced
  1. Operational monitoring integration — orchestrates AI-driven sensor dashboards that aggregate dive depth, duration, and physiological telemetry in real time, interpreting anomalies and issuing corrective instructions to surface teams WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Training curriculum design — directs AI tools to assemble occupation-specific scenario libraries for diver trainees, curating content against regulatory standards and inserting practical field corrections that automated systems overlook Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  3. Quality control protocol optimization — evaluates AI-produced statistical analyses of equipment failure trends across dive operations, translating findings into revised inspection standards and briefing dive teams on updated procedures WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Critical Thinking
Score: 57.9 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Technology Use, Monitoring and Control
technology_use_monitoring_control
Sources:WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication7 statements
Emerging
  1. Dive briefing comprehension — receives and repeats pre-dive task instructions and environmental condition reports to confirm understanding before descent Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Surface signal recognition — identifies and responds to standard hand signals and line-pull codes during shallow-water training dives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Underwater status reporting — transmits dive progress, hazard observations, and task completion updates to surface tenders via signal line or hardwire telephone during active operations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Post-dive documentation — produces written logs of underwater observations, structure conditions, and equipment performance following each dive Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Inspection findings communication — conveys precise structural defect descriptions, measurements, and photographic evidence to engineers and project managers through written reports and verbal debriefs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Multi-channel dive coordination — manages simultaneous surface-to-diver telephone, radio-to-topside crew, and client communications during complex multi-diver saturation or mixed-gas operations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Technical report authorship — authors comprehensive underwater inspection reports integrating CCTV footage, still photography, and quantitative test data for regulatory or engineering review Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
2Leadership8 statements
Emerging
  1. Buddy accountability — monitors a dive partner's depth gauge, air supply, and bottom time during training dives and reports anomalies to the dive supervisor Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Task preparation initiative — independently gathers required tools, lines, and consumables before a dive without waiting for supervisor direction Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Diver helper supervision — directs topside tenders in equipment staging, line management, and emergency standby procedures during live dives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Safety checklist leadership — leads pre-dive equipment checks for the dive team and verifies that all members have completed mandatory inspections before water entry Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Dive team supervision — assigns task roles, manages rotation schedules, and maintains situational awareness for a crew of two to four divers on commercial inspection or construction projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Trainee development — supervises and trains less-experienced commercial or hobby divers on equipment use, task execution, and emergency procedures in controlled underwater environments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Expedition command — plans, authorizes, and takes full operational accountability for multi-day commercial diving expeditions including authority registration, hazard assessment, and crew safety briefings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Organizational safety culture leadership — establishes dive operation standards, reviews incident reports, and drives continuous safety improvement across a diving contractor's full workforce Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Air consumption self-monitoring — tracks personal breathing rate against tank pressure during training dives and adjusts exertion level to match remaining supply Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Skill gap identification — recognizes personal limitations in specialized techniques such as mixed-gas diving or underwater welding and seeks appropriate training Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Depth and time self-regulation — plans personal decompression profiles before dives and mentally monitors elapsed bottom time against dive tables throughout the operation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Task performance review — evaluates own underwater work quality after each dive and identifies specific techniques to improve on the next descent Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Environmental condition judgment — assesses own cognitive and physical state relative to current water temperature, visibility, and current before deciding whether to proceed, modify, or abort a planned dive Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning transfer — applies physics principles studied in training to predict narcosis risk, buoyancy changes, and gas behavior encountered on novel job sites Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Operational mental modeling — constructs and continuously updates a mental picture of underwater task progress, team positions, and environmental variables to guide real-time decision-making during complex saturation dives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Knowledge system design — develops structured debriefing and after-action review processes that institutionalize metacognitive reflection across a commercial diving team Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Hazard identification — identifies basic underwater risks such as entanglement, poor visibility, and strong currents during site familiarization and reports them to the dive supervisor Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Equipment anomaly detection — notices and reports gauges, valves, or seals that appear inconsistent with normal pre-dive inspection results Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Structural condition assessment — examines underwater steel or wood structures for corrosion, cracking, and impact damage and distinguishes surface deterioration from load-bearing compromise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Dive plan evaluation — analyzes dive tables, gas mix calculations, and tidal schedules to identify conflicts or safety margins that require plan revision before descent Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Root cause analysis — investigates equipment failures or near-miss incidents by tracing mechanical evidence, dive logs, and procedure deviations to their source cause Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Quality control judgment — evaluates underwater weld integrity, pipeline alignment, or cable continuity against engineering specifications and determines whether findings meet acceptance criteria or require remediation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Environmental risk reasoning — synthesizes current speed, water temperature, visibility data, and task complexity to determine safe versus unsafe dive windows Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Multi-factor safety decision — integrates conflicting data from weather forecasts, structure inspection history, equipment maintenance records, and crew fatigue assessments to make go/no-go calls on high-risk commercial dive operations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Failure mode anticipation — applies mechanical and physics knowledge to predict how underwater structures or systems will behave under stress and designs inspection protocols that proactively detect those failure modes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration8 statements
Emerging
  1. Tender cooperation — follows topside tender instructions for line management and equipment handling without resistance during entry-level dive support roles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Team check-in participation — contributes personal equipment status and health observations to pre-dive team briefings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Buddy system execution — maintains visual or line contact with a dive partner, shares workload on underwater tasks, and coordinates movement to prevent entanglement Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-trade coordination — communicates dive schedule constraints and underwater access needs to topside crane operators, marine engineers, and riggers to synchronize work sequences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multi-diver task integration — coordinates simultaneous underwater work efforts among a team of divers operating on the same structure, managing spatial separation and shared tool use without surface oversight Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Client and authority collaboration — works with port authorities, environmental regulators, and client site managers to align dive plans with access permissions, safety protocols, and project timelines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Joint venture operational leadership — integrates dive crews from multiple contracting organizations into a unified team with shared safety standards, communication protocols, and performance expectations for large infrastructure projects Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary project contribution — collaborates with naval architects, structural engineers, and environmental scientists to design underwater inspection and repair programs that satisfy technical, regulatory, and operational requirements simultaneously Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character8 statements
Emerging
  1. Equipment honesty — accurately reports equipment defects found during pre-dive checks even when it delays the dive operation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Authority registration compliance — follows the requirement to register with relevant authorities before diving expeditions without omission Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Dive log integrity — records actual depths, times, gas pressures, and observations in dive logs without falsification, even when results deviate from planned parameters Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Personal accountability — acknowledges own errors in task execution or safety procedure compliance during post-dive debriefs rather than attributing them to external factors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Ethical safety reporting — reports dive conditions, near-misses, and equipment failures honestly to supervisors and clients even when disclosure creates commercial or reputational risk Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional conduct under pressure — maintains composure, respectful communication, and adherence to safety protocols when clients or supervisors push to proceed in unsafe conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Safety culture stewardship — refuses to authorize or participate in dive operations that violate established safety standards regardless of contract pressure, and documents refusals with factual justification Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Industry ethics modeling — demonstrates and enforces ethical standards around decompression compliance, qualification honesty, and incident reporting across an entire dive team or company Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity8 statements
Emerging
  1. Improvised tool adaptation — modifies available topside tools to meet an unexpected underwater task requirement when standard equipment is unavailable Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Alternative access problem-solving — proposes a non-standard entry point or approach path when the planned route to an underwater worksite is obstructed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Custom rigging design — fabricates non-standard rigging configurations for lifting, securing, or positioning materials in underwater environments with limited visibility and access Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Inspection method adaptation — selects and combines photography, CCTV, and tactile probing in creative sequences to document structures with irregular geometries or severe biofouling Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Underwater repair innovation — develops novel repair sequences or material applications for pipeline, hull, or structural defects where standard above-water procedures are not directly transferable to the submerged environment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Site-specific dive plan design — engineers a dive operation plan tailored to unique combinations of depth, current, structure geometry, and task complexity with no direct precedent in standard operating procedures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Technical solution invention — designs new underwater tools, jigs, or procedures that address recurrent operational challenges and introduces them into standard company practice or industry guidance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Problem-solving under zero visibility — executes complex structural inspection or repair tasks entirely by touch and spatial memory when visibility is fully eliminated by sediment disturbance or dark water conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset8 statements
Emerging
  1. Certification pursuit — enrolls in additional dive certifications such as mixed gas, underwater welding, or NDT inspection to expand employable skill range beyond initial qualification Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Feedback receptivity — accepts dive supervisor critique of underwater task technique and applies corrections on the next dive without defensiveness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Decompression incident learning — analyzes any decompression sickness event or near-miss in own dive history to identify the decision or behavior that contributed and adjusts future practice accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. New equipment adoption — invests time in learning unfamiliar diving systems such as rebreathers or surface-supplied gear when job requirements change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Skill plateau confrontation — seeks out progressively more demanding dive assignments such as deeper depths, more complex structures, or harsher environmental conditions to continue technical development Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Post-project improvement planning — identifies specific technical and procedural gaps after each commercial project and structures self-directed training to address them before the next similar assignment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mentorship-through-challenge — assigns developing divers to tasks slightly beyond their current comfort zone while providing structured support, modeling how productive struggle drives mastery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Industry knowledge integration — continuously integrates advances in dive medicine, materials science, and underwater technology into personal practice and team training programs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness8 statements
Emerging
  1. Pre-dive mental preparation — uses a consistent pre-dive routine to transition attention away from surface distractions and focus on the upcoming task and environment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Narcosis awareness — recognizes early cognitive symptoms of nitrogen narcosis during descent and signals the surface before impairment affects task performance Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Continuous operations monitoring — maintains sustained, deliberate attention on depth gauge, air supply, and environmental changes throughout the full bottom time without lapsing into automated task focus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Panic response regulation — applies controlled breathing techniques when unexpected entanglement, equipment malfunction, or visibility loss occurs to prevent escalation to uncontrolled emergency ascent Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Situational awareness maintenance — simultaneously tracks personal physiological state, task progress, dive partner position, and surface communication signals during multi-objective underwater assignments Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional regulation under client pressure — maintains calm, deliberate decision-making when clients push for faster or deeper work than safety margins allow, without internalizing their urgency Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team mindfulness facilitation — leads pre-dive mindfulness and readiness checks that surface team fatigue, distraction, or anxiety before they manifest as underwater safety failures Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. High-stress performance mastery — sustains precise, methodical task execution during prolonged saturation dives, extreme cold, near-zero visibility, or rapid equipment degradation without cognitive deterioration Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude8 statements
Emerging
  1. Physical discomfort tolerance — completes assigned underwater tasks in cold, dark, or confined conditions without requesting early surfacing due to discomfort alone Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Equipment failure persistence — continues a dive task calmly after a minor equipment issue is resolved rather than aborting unnecessarily Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Repeated task resilience — returns to the same challenging underwater worksite across multiple dive days, maintaining effort and attention even when progress is slow due to environmental interference Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Adverse condition endurance — executes inspection or repair tasks in strong currents, reduced visibility, or extreme water temperatures while maintaining the physical and mental output required for task success Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Emergency procedure courage — initiates and leads underwater emergency ascent or rescue procedures under genuine life-safety pressure without freezing or deferring decision-making Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Project adversity management — sustains team productivity and morale across a commercial diving project disrupted by equipment failures, weather delays, or scope changes that extend duration and difficulty Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Saturation dive endurance — performs technically demanding underwater work over extended saturation dive periods measured in days, maintaining physical capability and professional judgment throughout compression, working, and decompression phases Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Crisis command under extreme conditions — leads a dive team through a serious underwater emergency such as structural collapse risk, diver entrapment, or equipment system failure, maintaining decisive authority until all personnel are safe Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors55 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Aquarium Diver · Area Commercial Diver · Certified Diver · Commercial Diver · Deep Sea Diver · Dive Tender · Divemaster · Diver · Diver Tender · Hard Hat Diver · Marine Diver · Navy Diver
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingActive ListeningOperations MonitoringSpeakingQuality Control AnalysisTime ManagementOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingTroubleshootingRepairingInstructingMonitoringWritingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessNegotiationEquipment Selection
Knowledge domains
MechanicalBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityEducation and Training
Abilities
Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityArm-Hand SteadinessControl PrecisionMultilimb CoordinationManual DexterityFinger DexteritySpeech RecognitionDeductive Reasoning
Work styles
DependabilityCautiousnessAttention to DetailStress ToleranceSelf-ControlPerseverance
Technology
Data base user interface and query softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareInternet browser software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Take appropriate safety precautions, such as monitoring dive lengths and depths and registering with authorities before diving expeditions begin.
  2. Check and maintain diving equipment, such as helmets, masks, air tanks, harnesses, or gauges.
  3. Communicate with workers on the surface while underwater, using signal lines or telephones.
  4. Descend into water with the aid of diver helpers, using scuba gear or diving suits.
  5. Obtain information about diving tasks and environmental conditions.
  6. Supervise or train other divers, including hobby divers.
  7. Inspect the condition of underwater steel or wood structures.
  8. Inspect and test docks, ships, buoyage systems, plant intakes or outflows, or underwater pipelines, cables, or sewers, using closed circuit television, still photography, and testing equipment.
CIP education codes
49.0304

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.