Unfortunately it's on Netflix but it's a story about Saturation Divers who spend 28 days at extreme ocean depths.
It’s a story of one guy getting his lifeline ripped away from him which left him in total darkness with no oxygen for 36 minutes. Crazy story and well worth watching.This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1s1k,
I was mildly acquainted with a father son team of saturation divers who worked in the North Sea back in the late 70’s early 80’s. They made absolutely insanely stupid money. But there is a reason for that. It’s not just the diver, it’s also the support staff. Someone makes a mistake and the divers are done!
I knew several saturation divers when I worked in the North Sea in the mid to late 70's. Their pay at that time was $100 plus $0.75 per foot (depth) per day which was a hell of a lot of money then. On the other hand, they would spend thirty days in a 10 foot by 20 foot cylinder. And then there are the health issues. I once shared a cabin with two dive superintendents who were in their 40's but looked like they were 60.
Posts: 1009 | Location: Nashville | Registered: October 01, 2009
Originally posted by BOATTRASH1: I was mildly acquainted with a father son team of saturation divers who worked in the North Sea back in the late 70’s early 80’s. They made absolutely insanely stupid money. But there is a reason for that. It’s not just the diver, it’s also the support staff. Someone makes a mistake and the divers are done!
I was told it takes about $250k in training and certificates which you are lucky to get done and get a chance by the time you are 30.
Then you make approximately $250k a year but can only work around 3 months a year. Apparently you have a long recovery time in between dives because it tanks your red blood cells and since you’re breathing several different gasses for 28 days straight it’s pretty terrible for you. You don’t see anyone over 55 doing it because most of them have long term health issues by that point.
1s1k, you are correct about the affect of long-term health issues, but I don’t think that even a 55-year old in good health could make it due to the physical demands. A sat diver told me that one hour of work in saturation is the equivalent of four hours on the surface. I’ve seen beefy guys go into saturation and then come out 30 days later looking pretty trim. It seemed like the meat just melted off them.
Posts: 1009 | Location: Nashville | Registered: October 01, 2009
Originally posted by Tejas421: I once shared a cabin with two dive superintendents who were in their 40's but looked like they were 60.
Simliar to high-altitude mountain climbers. Those that make a career of consistently scaling 7-8000 meter peaks, they usually end up with some cognitive function issues further in life. I've known quite a few where their responses and engagement in chats are usually a beat or, two off.
Posts: 15255 | Location: Wine Country | Registered: September 20, 2000
