I talk to a lot of people everyday who are trying to answer that very question. "I'd like to get into commercial diving, should I do the Restricted/Inshore Surface Supply c
ourse or the UnRestricted/Offshore Surface Supply course? The first consideration always seems to be time and money. An Offshore course can take up to a year to complete and cost over 20k. The Inshore program is 7 weeks and costs less than 7k. If time and/or money are your first consideration but you think you might still like to work offshore at some point, you can. Here's how.
You need 50 hours of bottom time for an Offshore certification. You could get all but 4 hours of that time while out in the field working with your Inshore certification. You will be gaining invaluable experience and a wage to boot. Why spend money at school diving, when you could be earning money at work diving. Not only are you earning good money but all the hours and experience you are logging are credited to you when it comes time to apply for your Offshore ticket. You shorten the time spent at school getting the Offshore certification and help pay for it at the same time.
The other consideration is content. What sort of training will I receive and what will I learn? Firstly, the difference in having an "Unrestricted" or Offshore certification vs a "Restricted" or Inshore certification has nothing to do with the type of tools you are allowed to use. The difference is simply a depth issue. As long as you are trained to weld underwater for example, then as an Inshore Surface Supply diver you can work as an underwater welder. Finally, a consideration of paramount importance but often neglected is that of the facility you choose and the certification on offer whether it is Inshore or Offshore. It is vital you check the school of your choice is accredited with the right certification board. You want to be sure you are getting the right ticket.
At the end of the day we all have to make lifstyle and career decisions and if your's lies offshore then all the power to you. Just remember that there is more than one way to get there and the path you choose can have a serious effect on your experiences as a diver and the character of your career.
