There will be some FAQ's added to this page soon...please email us if you
have any questions in the meantime....
Please email us with your comments and suggestions about the website!
We appreciate your input and support.
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Do I need to have experience in diving?
No; you will learn to dive while you are here at the institute.
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Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes; you will be swimming on a daily basis.
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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.
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Is there an age limit?
You must be at least 18 years old to attend the institute.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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What is a tender?
A tender is someone who helps/tends the diver.
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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.
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What is the difference between offshore and inland work?
When working offshore you will be on large diving vessels in the ocean and
when working inland you may work in intercoastal waterways, power treatment
plants, water treatment plants, etc.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Are you a licensed facility?
Yes; we are licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher
Education as a Nonpublic Postsecondary Institution.
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Is IDI
approved for veteran's education benefits?
Yes. When participating with the gibill,
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.
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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 $3,500.00 down on your tuition. The
balance will be financed for five years @ 10 percent interest.
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Do you offer housing?
Yes; we have two bedroom apartments and we put
two people in a room. There is
a kitchen with a refrigerator and a stove.
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How far is
the housing from the school?
The housing is 1.5 miles from the school.
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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 apartment complex.
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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.
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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.
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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
to 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.
- 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.
