The Surface Supplied Offshore Air Diver (Level 3) course at Commercial Divers Academy (CDA)
represents the highest level of air-diving training before transitioning into mixed-gas or saturation diving.
This advanced program prepares you for demanding offshore operations using surface-supplied air systems and an open (wet) diving bell to a maximum operational depth of 50 meters.
As both a bell operator and diver, you will gain expertise in some of the most challenging environments in the industry.
Completion of this program equips you with a globally recognised qualification, highly valued by offshore contractors worldwide.
Why choose Level 3 certification?
Level 3 divers form the backbone of offshore commercial diving operations. This certification enables you to work
on complex underwater projects in ports, coastal infrastructure, offshore oil & gas, renewables, salvage, and construction.
With proficiency in bell diving operations, advanced tool handling, and safety management, Level 3 divers are trusted
professionals capable of handling high-responsibility assignments in international waters.
What you’ll master in this program
This is not an entry-level course. By the time you enrol in Level 3, you already hold both Commercial SCUBA Diver
(Level 1) and Surface Supplied Inshore Air Diver (Level 2) certifications. Building on those foundations,
the Level 3 program focuses on deep-water operations, bell diving, and the skills required for remote and offshore projects.
Core training modules
- Use and operation of surface-supplied diving systems with open wet bell deployment.
- Working as a bell diver and bell operator, including emergency drills and communication protocols.
- Rigging, lifting, and advanced recovery techniques for offshore construction tasks.
- Practical application of electric and pneumatic tools in deeper, offshore environments.
- Arc cutting and wet welding applications in offshore repair and decommissioning projects.
- Hyperbaric chamber procedures, standby diver protocols, and offshore emergency management.
- Complex underwater construction assignments: pile installation, inspection, repairs, and subsea fitting tasks.
- Contaminated water procedures, offshore risk management, and survival skills.
Training structure
The two-week intensive program is structured to provide both theoretical knowledge and hands-on offshore-style training. You will rotate through the essential operational roles: diver, tender, life-support technician, and bell operator. This ensures you understand not only your duties underwater but also the wider system that supports safe offshore operations.
- Theory: diving physics at depth, bell diving systems, offshore safety regulations,
decompression procedures, and international standards. - Practical training: wet bell deployment and recovery, deep dives up to 50m, advanced tool handling, rigging, and repair simulations.
- Assessment: written exams and hands-on evaluations testing knowledge, safety, and performance under offshore conditions.
Prerequisites — who can apply?
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be in excellent physical condition with proven swimming and endurance ability (surface swimming, underwater swims, and full diver rescue drills within time requirements).
- Hold current medical clearance from a certified hyperbaric physician.
- Already possess Commercial SCUBA Diver (Level 1) and Surface Supplied Inshore Air Diver (Level 2) certification.
What jobs can a Level 3 diver pursue?
A CDA-certified Level 3 diver is prepared for some of the most sought-after jobs in the diving industry. With this qualification, you become eligible for offshore assignments that require advanced technical knowledge and physical ability. These roles often provide higher compensation and international opportunities.
Typical career paths
- Offshore oil & gas diver: inspection, maintenance, and repair of subsea pipelines, platforms, and rigs.
- Offshore renewable energy diver: installation, inspection, and repair of offshore wind farm foundations and subsea cables.
- Salvage diver: bell-based operations for vessel recovery, wreck removal, and deep-water salvage projects.
- Subsea construction diver: working on piling, welding, cutting, and installing underwater structures.
- Ship husbandry diver: hull cleaning, propeller polishing, and emergency offshore repairs.
- Environmental & survey diver: offshore inspections for government, scientific, or environmental agencies.
- Emergency response diver: offshore rescue operations, rapid response to underwater incidents, and support for
disaster recovery missions.
The value of CDA training
Commercial Divers Academy is dedicated to producing divers that employers trust to perform safely and effectively in some of the toughest environments on earth. Our instructors are seasoned industry professionals with offshore experience, and our training is designed around real-world industry standards. When you graduate with a CDA Level 3 certification, you carry more than a qualification—you carry proof of competence, reliability, and professional readiness.
Certification & recognition
Upon successful completion of all theory, practical training, and examinations, you will be awarded the Surface Supplied Offshore Air Diver (Level 3) certification by CDA. This qualification is fully recognised internationally and opens doors to offshore careers across the globe.
Next steps in your career
Level 3 is not the end of the road. It is a springboard to more advanced qualifications such as saturation diving, mixed-gas diving, or specialized technical paths like underwater welding, ROV support, and hyperbaric operations. Many divers use Level 3 as the foundation for high-paying, long-term offshore contracts.
Are you ready to become an offshore diver?
If you’re ready to move beyond coastal and inshore work and take on the challenges of offshore projects, the Surface Supplied Offshore Air Diver (Level 3) program at CDA is your next step.
This is where divers transform into offshore professionals—trusted, capable, and recognized worldwide.
Contact Commercial Divers Academy (CDA) today to learn more about enrollment, schedules, financing options, and your pathway to becoming a world-class offshore diver.