Before the Big Leagues: Life as a Tender

No one enters the army as a general. And no one starts their first job as a full-fledged, high paid underwater welder. If you’re like the vast majority of divers, prepare for your first job title: Dive tender.

Dive tenders “tend” to the needs (and wants) of commercial divers. They’re usually busy for most of the day with a multitude of tasks that range from surprisingly challenging to downright humiliating. Of course, it’s all about your mindset.

During most underwater projects, a submerged welder-diver has three other people on the surface. One serves as a backup in case of trouble, and the other two work as dive tenders. The tenders provide essential services to the two head divers. One works directly with the diver in the water, constantly communicating and monitoring air supply and location.

Before we talk about the specific tasks and responsibilities of dive tenders, you need to understand that a tender is not a buddy diver – that’s a term normally reserved for recreational scuba diving, where three divers dive together and monitor each other’s gauges. Most commercial diving operations don’t incorporate this system, and even if it does, the tender doesn’t have the skill-set to serve in this capacity alongside an experienced underwater welder.

Dive Tender Responsibilities

Not all of these tasks may apply to tenders, as each works in varied situations. However, most will probably work in all of these capacities before being promoted. Tenders should ask two questions before their diver hits the water:

How can this operation go wrong?
If the operation goes wrong, what backup plans have we practiced for a safe and successful ending?

Before the Dive: Surface Prep

Work with team to establish safe dive depths and lengths for operation
Review plans and practice emergency dive procedures

Help the diver suit up

Check for cuts or holes in wet/dry suit
Secure neck and wrists openings
Help strap and adjust harness
If necessary, apply weights to underwater welder’s ankles (neutral to -2 pounds buoyant)
Ensure inflator and deflator valves are in proper position for environment temperature and depth

Equipment

Fasten helmet to welder-diver’s collar – add emergency gas canister if needed
Check full length of umbilical assembly for secure connections and insulation
Attach underwater welder’s knife to the shoulder, thigh, ankle or belt.
Provide underwater welder with any other needed equipment, such as an underwater welding electrode or cutting torch

During the Dive: Monitoring and Guiding

Communicate continuously by answering and asking questions and instructing the welder-diver’s next step in the operation
Listen and prepare for emergency signs such as a panicked voice, heavy breathing or quick movement
Monitor underwater welder’s gas gauges (within 200 psi), time underwater, body temperature, breathing rate, depth and latitudinal location
Coordinate with other members of the surface team

After the Dive: Checkup

Aid in the removal of welder-diver suit and equipment
Inquire of underwater welder’s health and operation under the water
Standby for any further help

Promotion in the Ocean

Diving_Tender_Ladder

Tenders wait anywhere from several months to two or more years before promotion to “full diver” status. This period of time varies according to job type, diving environment, average depth and how much of a jerk your boss might be.

During times of great demand (think Hurricane Katrina), many tenders are bumped up to a full diver position extremely quickly. This promotion is ultimately a disservice to them though, as they do not have the necessary experience to carry out all the responsibilities in the long run. So be patient, young padawan.

Tending to Cash

As a tender, you’ll be paid $13-20 per hour. This wage will obviously increase with extended time, depth pay and a variety of other factors. According to the Bureau Labor of Statistics, the bottom 25% of divers (where most tenders would fall) make 250% less than senior divers. It’s the way the game’s played.

Don’t become too excited after your break out from tender to full diver. As an inexperienced diver, you may end up with less pay than you were receiving as a tender. Employers will be hesitant to give you jobs and leadership positions. Be aggressive in job pursuit and showing your abilities during this time.

Important and Not Alone

Office guys start as interns. Welders as apprentices. We all have start somewhere, and that’s usually the bottom. Remember, though, you’re an essential part of the underwater welding industry. You keep us safe, secure and dressed – not in an awkward way.