Lesson 1Arc control, travel speed and electrode angle underwater: maintaining bubble envelope, recommended arc length, and manipulation techniques to minimize porosityFocuses on underwater arc control, travel speed, and electrode angle, emphasizing bubble envelope stability, recommended arc length, and manipulation patterns that reduce porosity, undercut, and lack of fusion in wet SMAW weld repairs.
Maintaining a stable gas bubble envelopeSetting and holding correct arc lengthTravel speed cues from sound and bead shapeElectrode angle for fillet and groove weldsManipulation patterns to limit porosityLesson 2Pre-dive setup: equipment checks, electrode drying, power checks, umbilical and lighting rigging, and pre-job brief with surface teamExplains pre-dive preparation for wet SMAW, including equipment function checks, electrode storage and drying, power verification, umbilical routing, lighting setup, and conducting a structured pre-job briefing with the topside support team.
Checklist for welding set power and polarityElectrode storage, drying, and handling underwaterUmbilical routing, strain relief, and tie-off pointsLighting placement for arc visibility and shadowsConducting and recording the pre-job safety briefLesson 3Interpass cleaning and inspection underwater: slag removal methods, visual criteria for acceptable interpass surfacesDescribes interpass cleaning and inspection underwater, including slag removal tools and techniques, wire brushing, visual acceptance criteria for interpass surfaces, and communication of indications that require grinding or repair before continuing.
Chipping and scraping slag between passesWire brushing and rinsing the weld areaVisual criteria for acceptable interpass beadsIdentifying porosity, undercut, and arc strikesCommunicating defects and required reworkLesson 4Groove preparation sequence: cutting, grinding, and shaping groove, ensuring clear access and secure positioningDetails groove preparation for wet SMAW repairs, including cutting, grinding, and shaping the joint, ensuring adequate root opening, cleaning to bare metal, and establishing secure diver body and hand positioning for stable, repeatable weld passes.
Selecting cutting tools for underwater groove prepEstablishing groove geometry and root openingGrinding to bright metal and removing coatingsChecking fit-up, alignment, and backing surfacesBody bracing and handholds for stable accessLesson 5Managing heat and distortion underwater: controlling deposition rate, run time limits, and use of intermittent weldingAddresses heat input and distortion control in wet SMAW, covering deposition rate management, run time limits, intermittent welding patterns, skip sequencing, and cooling pauses to protect base metal, coatings, and nearby structural components.
Setting amperage for controlled deposition rateRun time limits and cooling intervalsIntermittent and skip welding techniquesMonitoring distortion and brace movementProtecting coatings and adjacent componentsLesson 6Coordination with surface: continuous comms, power adjustments, and diver status reporting during active weldingExplains real-time coordination with the surface team during welding, including continuous voice communication, power adjustments on request, status reporting, emergency signals, and documentation of parameters and observations for each weld segment.
Standard voice commands during weldingRequesting and confirming power changesReporting weld progress and bead numbersEmergency and loss-of-comms proceduresRecording parameters and dive log entriesLesson 7Entry to worksite and approach to brace: approach routes, worksite staging, and initial visual confirmation of damageCovers safe entry and approach to the underwater worksite, including route planning, hazard checks, staging of tools and consumables, and systematic visual confirmation of damage and weld area accessibility before starting any cutting or welding.
Planning primary and secondary approach routesSecuring tools and electrodes at the worksiteIdentifying entanglement and overhead hazardsInitial visual survey of brace and weld zoneConfirming access for clamps and welding leadsLesson 8Welding sequence and bead strategy: root pass approach for wet SMAW, stringer vs. weave beads, layering sequence for rebuild and recommended pass countsExplores welding sequence planning for wet SMAW, including root pass techniques, choice between stringer and weave beads, layering strategy for buildup, recommended pass counts, and methods to control residual stress and minimize trapped defects.
Root pass techniques for wet SMAW repairsChoosing stringer versus weave beads by jointLayering sequence for buildup and reinforcementRecommended pass counts for common repairsBalancing sequence to control residual stressLesson 9Completing welds and temporary finish: final passes, dressing weld surface underwater, and protecting repair until post-dive inspectionsCovers completing underwater welds and temporary finishing, including final passes, edge blending, dressing the weld surface, cleaning the area, and applying temporary protection or markers to preserve the repair until post-dive inspection.
Techniques for stable final cover passesBlending weld toes and removing sharp edgesFinal cleaning of slag and loose spatterTemporary coatings, wraps, or shieldsMarking welds for post-dive inspection
