Diploma in Professional Diving and Safety
Why this certificate program?
The Diploma in Professional Diving and Safety
This program provides you with the essential tools and knowledge to excel in the competitive world of occupational diving. Learn everything from the physiology of diving and the use of specialized equipment, to the planning and execution of safe underwater operations in diverse environments. Master the techniques of underwater inspection, repair, and construction, with a rigorous focus on current regulations and risk management.
Differential Advantages
- Recognized Certification: Endorsed by [Name of Institution], expanding your career opportunities.
- Expert Instructors: Professionals with extensive experience in commercial diving, rescue, and safety.
- Intensive Training: Realistic dives in diverse scenarios, simulating demanding working conditions.
- Safety First: Emphasis on safety protocols, first aid, and underwater emergency management.
- Professional Networking: Connection with leading companies in the sector and professional development opportunities.
- Modality: Online
- Level: Diplomado
- Hours: 800 H
- Start date: 01-10-2026
Availability: 1 in stock
Who is it aimed at?
- Experienced recreational divers seeking professional certification and to expand their career opportunities in the underwater sector.
- Maritime and aquatic professionals (marine biologists, engineers, inspectors) who need diving training to perform specific underwater tasks.
- Members of rescue and safety teams (firefighters, police officers, coast guards) who require advanced diving skills for interventions in aquatic environments.
- Recreational diving instructors who wish to diversify their offerings and include professional diving training with international standards.
- Companies and organizations that need qualified professional diving personnel for construction, inspection, maintenance, or research projects Underwater.
Flexibility and practical experience
Combines online theory classes with practical training in pools and the sea, taught by certified instructors with extensive experience in the sector.
Objectives and competencies
Master underwater rescue techniques and first aid:
“Perform safe and efficient rescues, prioritizing the safety of the victim and the rescuer, applying basic and advanced life support protocols in aquatic and land environments.”
Inspect and maintain professional diving equipment:
“Verify the operation and calibration of regulators, masks, suits, cylinders and communication systems, following the manufacturer’s recommendations and safety regulations.”
Apply safety regulations and protocols in underwater operations:
“Implement emergency procedures (controlled ascent, diver rescue, evacuation) according to IMCA standards and local regulations.”
Leading and managing diving teams in diverse environments:
“Assign roles, supervise tasks, and resolve conflicts to ensure the safety and efficiency of underwater operations.”
Perform specialized underwater work using advanced tools and techniques:
“Using underwater cutting and welding equipment, inspecting submerged structures with advanced NDT, and performing complex repairs on pipelines and offshore platforms.”
Assess risks and develop emergency plans for diving operations:
Identify specific diving hazards, prioritize risks according to their probability and impact, and develop contingency plans for underwater and surface incidents.
Curriculum - Modules
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Diving Physiology: Basic Physics and Physiology
- Effects of Pressure: Boyle’s, Charles’s, Henry’s, and Dalton’s Laws
- Respiratory System in Diving: Gas Exchange, Lung Volumes
- Cardiovascular System in Diving: Response to Exercise and Immersion
- Nervous System in Diving: Narcosis, Oxygen Toxicity, NSIP
- Barotrauma: Ear, Sinuses, Lung, Skin
- Decompression Sickness: Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, Prevention
- First Aid in Diving: General Protocol, Assessment, Basic Life Support
- Emergency Management in Diving Diving: drowning, hypothermia, injuries from marine life
Introduction to hyperbaric medicine: principles, indications, contraindications
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- Introduction to Hyperbaric Physiology: History and Fundamentals
- Gas Laws: Boyle, Charles, Dalton, and Henry
- Physiological Effects of Pressure: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Nervous Systems
- Oxygen and Nitrogen Toxicity: Mechanisms and Prevention
- Decompression Sickness (DSS): Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Management
- Dive Equipment: Regulators, Wetsuits, Cylinders, and Life Support Systems
- Hyperbaric Chambers: Types, Operation, and Maintenance
- Decompression Techniques: Decompression Tables, Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diving, and Trimix
Hyperbaric First Aid: Emergency Management During Diving and Initial Treatment of Decompression Sickness
Ethical and Safety Considerations in Hyperbaric Physiology and Diving
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- Introduction to the physiology of diving: Physics and chemistry of gases in diving.
- Effects of pressure: Boyle’s, Charles’s, Dalton’s, and Henry’s laws and their application to diving.
- Respiratory system: Physiology of respiration, lung volumes, dead space.
- Cardiovascular system: Cardiovascular response to diving, freediving, and the dive reflex.
- Decompression sickness (DCS): Etiology, pathophysiology, and risk factors.
- Nitrogen narcosis: Mechanisms, symptoms, and management.
- Oxygen toxicity: Effects on the central nervous system and lungs.
- Barotrauma: Types (ear, sinuses, lung), causes, and prevention.
- Drowning and near-drowning: Pathophysiology and initial management.
- Emergency protocols: Assessment, basic life support, and oxygen therapy in diving.
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- Introduction to Hyperbaric Physiology: Gas Laws and Their Underwater Implications.
- Effects of Pressure: Barotrauma, Decompression Sickness (DDS), Oxygen Toxicity, and Nitrogen Narcosis.
- Underwater Respiratory Physiology: Adaptations and Challenges of the Respiratory System Under Pressure.
- Decompression Tables: Use, Limitations, and Safe Dive Planning.
- Gas Mixtures: Nitrox, Trimix, and Heliox; Advantages, disadvantages, and handling procedures.
Diving Equipment: Operation, maintenance, and appropriate selection for different environments.
Underwater First Aid: Recognition and initial management of decompression sickness (DCS), barotrauma, and other incidents.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in Underwater/Aquatic Environments: Adaptations and special considerations.
Oxygen Administration: Protocols and equipment for treating underwater emergencies.
Legal and Ethical Aspects: Liability, informed consent, and safety in diving.
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- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
- Introduction to Hyperbaric Physiology: Gas Laws and Their Effects on the Body
- Hyperbaric Oxygen: Mechanisms of Action, Indications, and Contraindications
- Nitrogen and Narcosis: Effects, Prevention, and Treatment
- Decompression Syndrome (Decompression Sickness): Pathophysiology, Classification, and Risk Factors
- Arterial Gas Embolism: Differential Diagnosis and Initial Management
- Oxygen Toxicity: Pulmonary and Neurological Effects, Prevention
- Pressure Injuries (Barotrauma): Middle Ear, Lung, Paranasal Sinuses
- Recompression Therapy: Protocols, Treatment Tables, and monitoring
- Hyperbaric chamber emergencies: fire, supply failure, treatment interruption
- Special considerations: pediatric patients, pregnancy, and comorbidities
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Career opportunities
- Professional Offshore Diver: Inspection, repair, and maintenance of underwater infrastructure.
- Salvage and Rescue Diver: Participation in search, rescue, and recovery operations for submerged objects.
- Underwater Civil Engineering Diver: Construction, repair, and maintenance of bridges, piers, and other underwater structures.
- Aquaculture Diver: Maintenance of cages, inspection of fish populations, and other tasks in marine farms.
- Scientific/Archaeological Diver: Support for marine research and documentation of submerged archaeological sites.
- Professional Diving Instructor: Training of new divers in safety techniques and procedures.
- Dive Supervisor: Planning and supervision of diving operations, ensuring compliance with regulations. Safety.
- Hyperbaric Chamber Technician: Operation and maintenance of recompression equipment for the treatment of diving accidents.
- Diving Safety Consultant: Advising companies and organizations on safety protocols for underwater activities.
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Admission requirements
Academic/professional profile:
Degree/Bachelor's degree in Nautical Science/Maritime Transport, Naval/Marine Engineering, or a related field; or proven professional experience in bridge/operations.
Language proficiency:
Recommended functional maritime English (SMCP) for simulations and technical materials.
Documentation:
Updated resume, copy of degree or seaman's book, ID card/passport, letter of motivation.
Technical requirements (for online):
Equipment with camera/microphone, stable connection, ≥ 24” monitor recommended for ECDIS/Radar-ARPA.
Admission process and dates
1. Online
application
(form + documents).
2. Academic review and interview
(profile/objectives/schedule compatibility).
3. Admission decision
(+ scholarship proposal if applicable).
4. Reservation of place
(deposit) and registration.
5. Induction
(access to campus, calendars, simulator guides).
Scholarships and grants
- Deep Diving: Master air and mixed-fuel diving techniques, safety protocols, and international regulations.
- Technical Skills: Learn to operate specialized equipment, perform underwater inspections, and weld and cut.
- Risk Management: Identify and mitigate hazards in underwater environments, learn first aid, and develop emergency plans.
- Professional Certification: Obtain a recognized accreditation that will open doors for you in the diving industry.
- Practical Experience: Participate in simulations and real-world projects that will prepare you for the professional world.
Testimonials
This diploma program exceeded my expectations. I acquired solid theoretical and practical knowledge, not only about professional diving techniques, but also about risk management and the application of safety protocols in diverse underwater environments. I feel prepared to face the challenges of this profession with confidence and responsibility.
The diploma in Water Sports & Marine Activities exceeded my expectations. I acquired solid theoretical and practical knowledge in navigation, diving, first aid, and risk management, which allowed me to obtain my sailing instructor certification and secure a position at a recognized nautical school.
The Professional Diving and Safety Diploma exceeded my expectations. I acquired solid theoretical and practical knowledge, from the physics of diving to complex rescue maneuvers. The expert instruction and focus on safety allowed me to develop the skills and confidence to perform professionally in demanding underwater environments. Today, thanks to the diploma, I work successfully as a commercial diver.
The Professional Diving and Safety Diploma exceeded my expectations. I acquired solid theoretical and practical knowledge, from the physics of diving to complex rescue maneuvers. The expert instruction and focus on safety allowed me to develop the skills and confidence to handle any situation in the underwater environment. I now feel prepared for a successful career in professional diving.
Frequently asked questions
Maritime-port sector, including commercial diving, underwater research, aquaculture and offshore platform security.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
Probably so, given that safety is a key component of the diploma, which usually includes rescue and first aid specific to diving.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna University + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
- Introduction to the Pathophysiology of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
- Physics of Diving: Gas Laws and Their Application in Diving
- Respiratory Physiology in Diving: Gas Exchange and Effects of Pressure
- Barotrauma: Ear, Paranasal Sinuses, Lungs
- Decompression Sickness (DCS): Etiology, Pathophysiology, Types, and Risk Factors
- Oxygen Toxicity: Central Nervous System and Pulmonary System
- Nitrogen Narcosis: Mechanisms, Effects, and Prevention
- Diving-Related Injuries and Traumas: Drowning, Hypothermia, Marine Wildlife
- First Aid Hyperbaric treatments: Indications, contraindications, and protocols
Management of the diving patient: Assessment, stabilization, and transport
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Request information
Complete the Application Form.
Attach your CV/degree certificate (if you have it to hand).
Indicate your preferred cohort (January/May/September) and whether you would like the hybrid option with simulator sessions.
An academic advisor will contact you within 24–48 hours to guide you through the admission process, scholarships, and compatibility with your professional schedule.
Faculty
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Naval engineer specializing in the selection, integration, and optimization of propulsion systems for yachts, high-speed craft, and service vessels.
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Materials engineer specializing in marine composites and corrosion protection systems for ships, yachts, and port structures.
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Naval electrical engineer with over fifteen years of experience in the design, integration, and operation of power and automation systems.
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Specialist in meteorological and operational decision-making for coastal and offshore navigation, integrating wind, wave, and current models.
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Naval engineer with a PhD in applied hydrodynamics and over a decade of experience designing high-performance hulls and marine structures.
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
MCA-certified captain with command of ocean-going vessels, specializing in advanced maneuvering, navigation management, and bridge safety.