Frequently Asked Questions

1.   Do I need to have experience in diving? No; you will learn to dive while you are here at the institute.   

2.   Do I need to know how to swim? Yes; you will be swimming on a daily basis.  

3.   Do I need to have experience in welding to attend your school? No; you will learn the basics of welding while you are here at the institute.  

4.   Is there an age limit? You must be at least 18 years old to attend the institute.  

5.   How long is the program? The program is a total of 640 hours and lasts 16 weeks (4 months). It is a full-time program.  

6.   How many people are in a class? We have a maximum of 10 students per class. We can have up to four classes at any given time, so that would be a maximum of 40 students on the premises.  

7.   What certification will I get? You will receive an ADCI entry-level tender/diver card. This is the card that you will need to work in the commercial diving industry.  

8.   What does ADCI stand for? ADCI stands for the Association of Diving Contractors International. You can visit its website at www.adc-int.org to learn more.  

9.   What is a tender? A tender is someone who helps/tends the diver.  

10. Do you offer job placement? We cannot guarantee job placement; however, we have many companies that contact us looking for divers. We post or announce this information at the school. We also have companies that send representatives to our institute to recruit divers.  

11. What is the difference between offshore and inland work? When working offshore you will be on large diving vessels or platforms in the ocean and when working inland you may work in intercoastal waterways, power treatment plants, water treatment plants, bridges, piers, etc. 

12.  Will I have to travel or be away from home for long periods? It is probable. It will depend on the type of job you’re doing and where it’s located.  

13.  How much money will I make? It varies depending on the location (North, South, East Coast, and West Coast), whether you’re working inland or offshore, whether you work for a small company or a large company, whether you’re in the divers' union, and what kind of job your doing.  

14.  What kinds of benefits are offered? Benefits vary depending on the employer. Some companies offer sign-on bonuses, tuition reimbursement, continuing education, medical, dental, vision, vacation, 401K, and stock options. Some companies also offer dive pay and depth pay in addition to standard pay.  

15.  Are you a licensed facility? Yes; we are licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education as a Nonpublic Postsecondary Institution.  

16.  Is IDI approved for veteran's education benefits? Yes. When participating with the G.I. bill, the eligible veteran will receive money directly from the VA to supplement their education. Therefore, you will be required to pay for your tuition using the same options as other students. For more information visit www.gibill.va.gov or call 1-888-gibill1. Our facility code is 25081940.  

17.  Do you offer financial aid? Not at this time. We do, however, offer in-house financing. You must pay for your physical, housing, books, and diving gear on or before the first day of school. You will also be required to put $6,000.00 down on your tuition. The balance will be financed for five years @ 10 percent interest.  

18.  Do you offer housing? No we do not offer on campus housing: however we do providestudents with a list of clean, reasonably priced housing facilities within a short distance from the IDI campus.

19. What do I need to bring for housing? You will need to bring toiletries, a couple of towels, a pillow and a sheet set for a single bed. You may also want to bring a small TV or radio. The institute is not responsible for lost or stolen items; therefore, you may want to bring a lock box to secure your personal belongings. You will also be required to provide proof of renters insurance. If you do not have your own insurance, you can purchase it through the housing provider.

20.  Can I tour the institute? Yes you can; however, you will need to contact the office to schedule an appointment. Keep in mind that the institute is closed over the weekend. The best time to tour is Monday thru Friday between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM.  

21.  What are the admission requirements? You will need to fill out an application/enrollment agreement and send in a non-refundable application fee of $100.00. We will also need your official high school transcripts or GED, social security card, driver’s license, and original birth certificate. You will also have to pass a physical in addition to some other requirements that are listed in our catalog. 

22. May I get my own physical? Yes, but it has to be done prior to admission but within 60 days of your start date. It is highly recommended that students get an ADCI physical by a licensed physician in their area that is qualified by experience or training to conduct commercial diver physical examinations.

The ADCI website (www.adc-int.org) provides a list of qualified diving medical examiners as well as a copy of the physical examination and medical history forms. The ADCI physical is a very extensive physical. All of the x-rays and tests are appropriate for working commercial divers exposed to very rigorous conditions; however, they may create an unnecessary financial hardship to the student diver and is not critical for student training. *We do require that students have at minimum a basic physical with an EKG, PFT, UA, CBC and chest x-rays. We also require a formal letter from the physician on letterhead stating that the student is fit for diving and hyperbaric activities. The physician will also need to sign off on the student’s logbook after the student has filled out the personal information. We can send the logbook to the student for a cost of $35.00.  We do not want copies of the physical.

Please keep in mind that perspective employers may require graduates to complete the full ADCI physical. If for some reason, the graduate fails that physical, the International Diving Institute is not responsible in any way and the graduate will not be compensated for any monies spent to attend the institute. It is the student's choice.

do the complete ADCI physical or the minimum requirements. Just remember that the minimum may get the student into school, but once the student leaves IDI, he/she may have to pass the complete ADCI physical and we accept NO RESPONSIBILITY for the outcome. *Contact the school with your physician’s information and we will be sure he/she is informed of the medical requirements for your physical.  

23.  Are there any disqualifying conditions that will prevent me from engaging in diving or hyperbaric activities?  

Yes, according to the ADC, a person having any of the following conditions, as determined by a physician's examination shall be disqualified from engaging in diving or other hyperbaric activities. 

History of seizure disorder other than early childhood febrile (high fever) conditions.

Cystic or cavitary disease of the lungs, significant obstructive or restrictive lung disease, or recurrent pneumothorax

Chronic inability to equalize sinus and middle ear pressure

Significant central or peripheral nervous system disease or impairment

Chronic alcoholism drug abuse, or history of psychosis

Significant hemoglobinpathies

Significant malignancies

Grossly impaired hearing

Significant osteonecrosis

Chronic conditions requiring continuous control by medication

Pregnancy 

24.  Do I get a refund if I fail the physical? You will not get a refund on the physical; however, you will get a refund on any tuition or housing that you’ve prepaid.  

25.  Do I need to have any diving equipment? Yes, you will be required to have some dive gear. You can purchase the gear on your own or you may purchase the gear at the retail facility located at the institute at a discounted rate.  

26.  What kinds of things are there to do in our off-time? Charleston has a lot to offer, especially if you are a history buff.  The list below is only a few of the many attractions that Charleston has to offer.  Along with its fine restaurants and friendly citizens Charleston, S.C., took the No. 2 spot  on the list of best U.S. cities to visit from Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards for 2008.