COURSE OVERVIEW
Underwater welding and cutting is one of the most specialized disciplines in the commercial diving industry, widely applied in offshore oil & gas, marine construction, ship repair, subsea maintenance, and underwater infrastructure projects.
The work requires not only diving competence but also a solid understanding of welding processes, cutting techniques, equipment operation, and strict safety procedures in underwater environments.
The Underwater Welding & Cutting Training Course is designed to provide participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in surface welding and underwater welding/cutting operations. The program combines classroom instruction with extensive hands-on practice, enabling trainees to perform underwater welding and cutting tasks safely, efficiently, and in accordance with industry requirements.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Knowledge
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand welding standards, symbols, terminology, and welding procedures
- Understand dry and underwater arc welding and cutting processes
- Understand grinding techniques and the safe use of hand-held mechanical equipment
- Recognize hazards associated with welding, cutting, grinding, and underwater operations
- Understand accident prevention measures, risk assessment techniques, and safety requirements for welding and cutting activities
Practical Skills
Participants will be able to:
- Prepare welding and cutting equipment, consumables, and materials
- Identify different types of welding electrodes and grinding discs
- Inspect, maintain, and properly store welding equipment and consumables
- Assemble and dismantle welding and cutting equipment safely and correctly
- Select appropriate welding and cutting techniques according to material type and welding position
- Perform butt joints, T-joints, lap joints, corner joints, and cruciform joints in various welding positions
- Perform metal cutting operations on different types of steel
- Evaluate weld quality and identify acceptable and unacceptable weld conditions
- Apply acquired skills effectively in real working environments
Professional Attitude
Participants will develop:
- Self-discipline and responsibility toward learning and work
- Professional work ethics and safety awareness
- A proactive and efficient working attitude
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
After successful completion of the course, participants may:
- Perform welding and cutting operations on onshore and underwater construction projects
- Work independently or as part of a commercial diving and subsea operations team
- Pursue career opportunities in offshore oil & gas, marine construction, shipyards, underwater maintenance, and industrial fabrication sectors
TARGET PARTICIPANTS
This course is designed for:
- Personnel who have graduated from a commercial diving training program
- Personnel with basic welding training or limited welding experience
- Individuals possessing fundamental safety awareness regarding mechanical hand tools and equipment
COURSE DURATION
200 training hours (equivalent to 25 days)
- Practical training duration: 23 days
- Theory review, final examination & practical assessment: 2 days
TRAINING LANGUAGE
Vietnamese
PVD Training can arrange interpretation services when participants are foreign nationals.
TRAINING METHODOLOGY
- Classroom-based theoretical instruction
- Extensive practical welding training at PVD Training’s welding workshop
- Continuous instructor guidance and performance monitoring
- Final theoretical and practical competency assessment
CERTIFICATION
Participants who successfully complete the course and meet the assessment requirements will receive:
Underwater Welding & Cutting Certificate
Issued by PVD Training
Certificate Validity
No expiry date
The certificate is recognized nationwide.
MINIMUM CLASS SIZE
Minimum 8 participants
COURSE CONTENT
Part 1: Basic Surface Welding & Cutting Training (Positions 1F to 3G)
Theory
- Review of welding safety requirements, equipment, and accessories
- Welding principles and welding processes
- Welding materials and consumables
- Welding positions and welding defects
- Setting welding current for different electrode types
- Base materials and filler materials
- Characteristics and properties of welding consumables
- Metallurgical structure of welds
- Welding symbols and weld leg dimensions
- Types of fillet weld joints
- Welding distortion and deformation
- Types of butt weld joints
- Theoretical examination
Practical Training
Welding practice in the following positions:
- 1F
- 2F
- 3F
- 4F
- 1G
- 2G
- 3G
Part 2: Basic Underwater Welding & Cutting Training (3G Position)
Theory
Introduction to Underwater Welding
- Definition, characteristics, and applications of underwater welding technology
- Fundamentals of underwater welding
- Underwater welding principles
- Characteristics of underwater welding operations
- Advantages of underwater arc welding
- Limitations of underwater arc welding
Underwater Welding Equipment
- Introduction to underwater welding equipment
- Introduction to underwater welding consumables
- Applications of underwater welding
Classification of Underwater Welding
Wet Welding
- Definition of wet welding
- Wet welding principles
- Characteristics of wet welding
- Limitations of wet welding
Dry Welding
- Definition of dry welding
- Characteristics of dry welding
- Limitations of dry welding
Dry Welding Methods
- Hyperbaric welding techniques
- Dry habitat welding methods
- Applications and operational considerations
Risks Associated with Underwater Welding
- Electrical hazards
- Explosion and fire risks
- Diving-related hazards
- Gas generation and entrapment risks
- Environmental and operational challenges
Practical Training
- Underwater welding practice in the 3G position
- Underwater metal cutting practice
- Equipment handling and operational exercises
- Practical competency assessment




