Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving, in which a diver uses a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) to breathe underwater. Unlike other modes of diving, scuba divers carry their own source of breathing gas (usually compressed air), allowing them greater freedom of movement beneath the water. Scuba diving may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for most people, but for some, it is an everyday job. These professionals explore the marine world which is considered to be unbelievably beautiful and exotic. Along with a lot of fun, one can earn a sizable salary in this profession. Professionals in scuba diving are satisfied about the fact that they get paid for something which other people would heavily pay for. Most of us might not know that scuba diving provides a large variety of job opportunities depending upon the person's interests. When people think of such jobs, they have a notion of divers working on tropical islands and coral reefs. However, this is just a small part of what this field has to offer. Job Opportunities Let's look at some of the major avenues for a job-seeker. Diving Instructor/Guide A diving instructor is a person who trains underwater divers. This job can give one the chance of working in some of the most pleasurable beach resorts or cruises. Usually, this position requires some sort of certification as customers will look for a certified trainer whom they can rely on. Exploration and Research Nowadays, scientists and conservationists are also taking scuba diving lessons, from well-known professional diving institutions, to take their research to the next level. Underwater engineering is another great field wherein professional divers carry out engineering tasks which are related to oil or gas exploration. The diver is required to be skilled enough for maintaining the submersed oil platforms. Civil engineering companies may hire professional divers for conducting underwater studies for the purpose of constructing seaports and bridges. Photography and Films Professional scuba divers are also required for underwater photography and filmmaking. People from the television and film production fields need to shoot underwater scenes for a documentary, TV show, or a movie. Nowadays, even underwater photography and photo shoots are catching on. This is where scuba divers are required to be part of the crew. Police and Defense forces The military or police forces include professional scuba divers in their team to carry out offensive operations like underwater infiltration and demolition. In such cases, the divers are used for recovering proofs used in police profiling and investigation. Hazmat Diving Hazardous material diving, also known as 'hazmat diving', is considered the most risky form of professional diving. The employment opportunities for hazmat diving are less due to this very reason. These type of divers are required to go through a series of physical and medical tests before starting their work. If they work in contaminated water, they need to go through a decontamination process. Hazmat diving is used for repairing pipelines, recovering bodies or lost objects, and controlling underwater pollution. If one has an intense desire of exploring and experiencing underwater life, a career in scuba diving is an exciting option to consider.