By Abhishyant Kidangoor:
Diving for a living? Many might get amused by the prospect of having scuba diving as a career. Many others may call it crazy and insane. But the scenario has changed. Gone are the days when Medicine, Engineering, Law and Management were the only career paths, people even dared to think about. Scuba diving, as thrilling and adventurous as it sounds, is a brilliant career path. It may seem highly unconventional but the truth is that many people, including students are taking it up not only as a part-time career but as a full time job as well. Talk about living life on the edge.
Scuba diving, be it as a pastime or profession, can be a relaxing and awe inspiring experience. It requires focus, organization, clear thinking and cooperation. Different types of scuba diving jobs are determined based on a lot of factors. This includes the level of certification achieved, the preferred work environment and if the job is seasonal or full time. Many professional scuba divers organize recreational tours, assist scientific research and rescue efforts and also train others. One may also specialize in a particular area, such as deep sea diving or underwater photography. It is more or less a way to stay away from the daily stresses and tensions of normal work life and simultaneously earn.
One of the most popular scuba diving jobs is to be a diving instructor. As an instructor, you train and help others with the use of the equipment and also give them necessary coaching regarding underwater safety, without compromising on the leisure they gain out of it.
Researchers in oceanography and marine biology also require professional scuba divers to assist them with their work. This includes observing the underwater flora and fauna, identify and collect species and also to measure various parameters such as current, temperature etc.
The best part of such a job is getting paid for something that you usually would pay to do. And there is nothing more like loving the job that you are getting paid for. That is something very few people could claim. More than a full-time job, it is something you could do when you take a break off from your regular hectic schedule, without compromising on your pay. The ones who are more interested in the pay are in for a huge disappointment. But the salary could be maximized by getting advanced rating and specialty certificates from a recognized dive agency.
In nutshell, Scuba diving as a profession is highly adventurous and thrilling. It calls for a lot of courage and is not meant for the faint-hearted. Meant more to be a part-time job, scuba diving as a full-time career is also gaining prominence in many countries. India might take a while before accepting something as unconventional and offbeat as Scuba diving to be a full time profession though, but the trend is already setting in. What more than combining pleasure and work and living life to the fullest.