UNRESTRICTED SURFACE SUPPLIED DIVER PROGRAM (USSD)
Start a High-Paying, High-Thrill Career in Commercial Diving
Duration: 26 Weeks / 900 Hours
At Florida Commercial Diving Institute (FCDI), we don’t just train divers—we forge elite professionals prepared to take on the toughest jobs anywhere in the world. Our Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver (USSD) program is Florida’s most intensive and comprehensive commercial diving course, offering over 900 hours of rigorous, hands-on training that mirrors the real conditions divers face offshore and inland every day.
Whether you’re interested in offshore oil rig support, underwater construction, ship husbandry, salvage, or pipeline welding at extreme depths, the USSD course equips you with the certifications, experience, and confidence you need to succeed. From mastering over 11 different types of dive helmets and hydraulic tools to training in underwater welding, burning, lift bag use, NDT inspection, and wet bell diving systems—our students don’t just learn skills, they live the trade.
At FCDI, you’re not a number. You’re part of a close-knit team of driven individuals guided by veteran instructors who have spent decades in the industry. We train in real Gulf Coast conditions, not simulations, giving you an unmatched level of preparation for a career in commercial diving.
If you’re ready for a job that takes you underwater, offshore, and across the globe, and a career that pays for your grit, discipline, and drive, FCDI is your launch pad. Your future as a highly trained commercial diver starts here.
What is an Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver?
An Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver is qualified to perform commercial diving operations using a surface-supplied air system. These professionals are employed across multiple industries including offshore oil and gas, wind farms, power plants, salvage and recovery, infrastructure inspection, bridge repair, and underwater construction.
The USSD certification from FCDI meets CSA Z275.4, DCBC, and other internationally recognized standards, qualifying you to work domestically and abroad.
What You’ll Learn – Course Curriculum
Our 26-week/900-hour training program is designed to give you the real-world skills needed to enter and thrive in the commercial diving industry.
Diving Operations & Safety Protocols
- Hazard identification and emergency procedures
- Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
- Hyperbaric operations and decompression chamber training
- United States Navy and Canadian dive table procedures
- Anatomy, physiology, dive physics, and gas laws
Equipment & Technical Proficiency
- Surface-supplied air systems and umbilical use
- Practical training on 11+ types of dive helmets
- Kirby Morgan Hat Operator Certification
- Two-wire and four-wire diver communication systems
- Wet bell deployment and underwater video systems
Commercial Diving Work Skills
- Underwater cutting and wet welding
- Topside welding and torch operation
- Use of hydraulic and pneumatic tools
- Lift bag use, rigging, and underwater salvage
- Dredging, airlifts, water jetting, and ship repair
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques
Emergency Medical Preparedness
- DAN First Aid, CPR, AED, and Emergency Oxygen
- Diver casualty treatment and underwater rescue
- Chamber safety and recompression training
Certifications Included in the USSD Course
*The certifications listed can be earned while successfully completing the 26 weeks/ 900hr. USSD course and meeting all requirements set forth by the school and certifying authorities issuing the certifications while attending school.”
- Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diving Diploma from FCDI.
- Includes the Occupational SCUBA endorsement to a max depth of 99ft. This international certification meeting the CSA standards 275.4.
- Unrestricted Surface Supplied Diver Certification from DCBC.
- Shows knowledge of safety procedures and training in practical application in Underwater Welding for Commercial Diving.
- Gives basic welding training for practical applications for topside welding for Commercial Divers.
- DAN First Aid, CPR, AED and Emergency Oxygen Provider Certifications awarded thru the Divers Alert Network (DAN).
- FCDI Job Safety Analysis (JSA) Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). Shows that you have been trained in the Identification of hazards and safety concerns and how to mitigate these factors in order to safely preform your duties.
Why Choose FCDI for Your USSD Training?
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Hands-On Training from Day One
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Monthly Start Dates – Apply Anytime
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Veteran-Led Instructional Team
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Financial Assistance Available
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Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast – Real Open Water Training
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Strong Industry Connections for Job Placement
At FCDI, we don’t believe in simulated training—we dive in for real. With direct access to the Gulf and purpose-built facilities, you’ll train in real-world conditions using industry-standard gear.
And you’re not just a number here—you’re part of a tight-knit diving brotherhood with mentorship from instructors who have served in military, oilfield, and salvage operations worldwide.
Is Commercial Diving Right for You?
If you’re looking for a career that doesn’t involve a cubicle… If you want to work with your hands, travel the world, and earn while you dive…
Then this is your sign.
🎓 No college degree required
🌎 Opportunities to work internationally
💵 Starting salaries ranging from $50,000 to $100,000+
🚢 Adventure, adrenaline, and advancement await