Underwater Burning Specialist
Florida Commercial Diving Institute has been developed by a skilled and dedicated team of working divers and dive supervisors with over a century of combined experience in the commercial diving industry.
Underwater Burning Specialist (UBS) Certification — Advanced Training at FCDI
Train with the Best. Burn with Confidence.
Florida Commercial Diving Institute (FCDI) is proud to offer one of the most comprehensive and advanced Level 1 Underwater Burning Specialist (UBS) certifications available in the commercial diving industry today. Designed for divers looking to master the art and science of oxy-arc cutting underwater, this specialized training program goes far beyond the basics taught in standard dive programs.
Whether you’ve been introduced to underwater cutting during your NSSD or USSD training or are seeking focused professional development, this stand-alone course is the next step to achieving true technical mastery in a high-demand skill set.
Why Specialize in Underwater Burning?
Oxy-arc cutting is one of the most dangerous and essential tasks in the commercial diving industry. From marine salvage to structural demolition and offshore maintenance, employers need skilled divers who can safely and efficiently handle underwater cutting operations.
To meet global industry standards, employers are required to ensure proper training and certification for anyone involved in underwater burning. That’s where FCDI comes in.
Course Overview: UBS Level 1 Certification
Duration: 1 Week (40 Hours Total)
Location: FCDI Training Facility — Hudson, Florida
Availability: Ongoing course dates available — Contact us to enroll.
The UBS course is structured into two parts:
Part 1: SAFETY & THEORY (1 Day)
Who Can Attend: Open to all commercial dive personnel, dive school students, client representatives, supervisors, and government agencies.
Topics Covered:
- Hazards of oxy-arc cutting
- Industry-standard safety protocols
- Equipment handling, maintenance, and troubleshooting
- Explosive atmospheres and gas management
- Dive team roles and supervisor responsibilities
- This day is critical for anyone involved in or overseeing cutting operations.
Part 2: PRACTICAL TRAINING (4 Days)
Who Can Attend: Open to experienced dive personnel who have completed basic commercial dive training.
Hands-On Training Includes:
- Use of exothermic and tubular electrodes
- Pipe and plate cutting techniques up to 2” thickness
- Wet welding vs. burning comparisons
- Controlled cut exercises under instructor supervision
- Burn table and live underwater cutting scenarios
All training is conducted with commercial-grade Broco torches and accessories, replicating the tools used in real-world dive operations.
The complete course is designed to meet or exceed:
1. HSE OTH 349 Evaluation, selection and development of subsea cutting techniques.
2. ANSI/ACDE 01-2009 Standards, 28.0 Introduction to Underwater Burning and Welding.
3. IMCA D003 Guidelines for Oxy-Arc Cutting
4. ADCI Rev. 6.2, 5.31 Welding and Burning
5. Ocean Technologies Oxy-Arc Underwater Burning Course Rev. 0