Blake Riddle and Dylan Harrell are commercial underwater divers based in Costa Mesa, California, who host the podcast Breakdown The Dive, which focuses on the commercial diving industry, the ocean lifestyle, and helping people discover what it takes to pursue a career in underwater work. In this episode, they reveal what it's really like working underwater in some of the world's most challenging environments, from nuclear power plants to offshore oil rigs. They share stories about dealing with extreme conditions, the physical and mental demands of the work, and how they built a podcast community around an industry most people never see. If you've ever wondered what it takes to make a living underwater, this conversation pulls back the curtain.
What is commercial diving and what do commercial divers do?
Commercial diving involves underwater work in various industrial settings including nuclear power plants, offshore oil rigs, dams, and marine construction projects. Blake Riddle and Dylan Harrell work as commercial divers performing tasks like underwater welding, inspections, maintenance, and repairs in conditions that can include zero visibility, strong currents, and hazardous materials. The work requires specialized training and the ability to handle extreme physical and psychological demands.
Who are Blake Riddle and Dylan Harrell?
Blake Riddle and Dylan Harrell are commercial underwater divers from Costa Mesa, California, who host the podcast Breakdown The Dive. They work in the commercial diving industry performing underwater tasks in challenging environments including nuclear facilities and offshore locations. They created their podcast to share insights about the commercial diving profession and help people interested in the field understand what the career path involves.
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Building a Podcast Around an Invisible Industry
Most people have no idea what commercial divers actually do for work. Blake and Dylan recognized this gap and decided to create something that could pull back the curtain on their profession. They talk about why they started Breakdown The Dive and what they hope to accomplish by sharing stories from their industry. The conversation reveals how they've built a community around a career path that operates largely out of public view, and what it means to create content about work that most people will never experience firsthand. They discuss their approach to the podcast, the types of guests they bring on, and how they balance entertainment with education. The story behind starting Breakdown The Dive begins at 8:15.
What It's Really Like Working in Nuclear Power Plants
Blake and Dylan dive into what it's actually like performing commercial diving work inside nuclear power facilities. They describe the unique challenges of working in environments where you're dealing with radioactive materials, strict safety protocols, and conditions that would make most people extremely uncomfortable. The physical demands go beyond just being able to dive—there's a mental component to staying calm in situations where visibility is zero and you're working in contaminated water. They share specific details about the gear, the decontamination processes, and the mindset required to do this kind of work safely. This isn't recreational diving with clear water and tropical fish. The full nuclear diving discussion starts at 22:30.
Hear Blake and Dylan explain what it takes to work underwater in extreme conditions
The Path Into Commercial Diving
Getting into commercial diving isn't like most career paths. Blake and Dylan break down what it actually takes to become a commercial diver, from the training requirements to the physical standards you need to meet. They discuss the different diving schools, what you learn in those programs, and what happens after you graduate when you're trying to break into the industry. The conversation covers the reality of starting out, the types of jobs new divers typically get, and how you build experience in a field where every job is different. They also touch on the financial investment required and what kind of return you can expect if you're willing to put in the work. Their advice on getting started in commercial diving begins at 35:45.
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SubscribeOffshore Work and the Lifestyle That Comes With It
Working offshore means living a completely different lifestyle than most people experience. Blake and Dylan talk about what it's like spending weeks at a time on oil rigs and other offshore platforms, away from home, operating on rotations that can stretch your physical and mental limits. They describe the camaraderie that develops when you're living and working with the same crew in isolated conditions, and how the work schedule impacts everything from relationships to finances. The conversation reveals details about the types of projects they work on offshore, the conditions they encounter, and why some divers thrive in this environment while others burn out quickly. The offshore lifestyle discussion starts at 48:20.
Don't miss this deep dive into an industry most people never see.
Blake and Dylan share stories and insights you won't hear anywhere else.
Key Takeaways
- Commercial diving involves working underwater in nuclear power plants, offshore oil rigs, dams, and other industrial environments that require specialized training and mental toughness
- Blake and Dylan created Breakdown The Dive to help people understand what the commercial diving profession actually involves and to build a community around the industry
- Working in nuclear facilities means diving in contaminated water with zero visibility while following strict safety protocols and decontamination procedures
- Getting into commercial diving requires going through specialized diving schools and being willing to start at the bottom while building experience in a physically demanding field
- Offshore diving work involves living on rigs and platforms for weeks at a time, operating on rotations that create a unique lifestyle and strong bonds with crewmates
- The mental component of commercial diving is just as important as the physical skills—staying calm in extreme conditions and zero visibility is critical
- Commercial diving offers opportunities for those willing to do work that most people can't or won't do, in environments that operate completely out of public view
Final Thoughts from Tom
I loved this conversation with Blake and Dylan. Most of us have no idea what commercial divers actually do, and hearing them describe working in nuclear power plants and offshore rigs really opened my eyes to how demanding and specialized this work is. The mental toughness required to stay calm in zero visibility while working in contaminated water or extreme conditions is next level.
What really stood out to me was how they're building something with their podcast—taking an industry that operates completely behind the scenes and creating a community around it. They're helping people who are curious about commercial diving understand what it takes to break into the field, and they're doing it by sharing real stories and practical information. That's valuable work.
If you're interested in alternative career paths, extreme environments, or just want to hear about a profession that most people never encounter, this episode is absolutely worth your time. Blake and Dylan bring great energy and genuine insights about what it takes to make a living underwater.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is commercial diving?
Commercial diving is professional underwater work performed in industrial settings like nuclear power plants, offshore oil rigs, dams, and marine construction projects. Commercial divers perform tasks including underwater welding, inspections, maintenance, and repairs in challenging conditions that often involve zero visibility, strong currents, and hazardous materials.
How do you become a commercial diver?
Becoming a commercial diver requires attending specialized diving schools where you learn the technical skills, safety protocols, and physical techniques needed for underwater industrial work. After completing training, new divers typically start with entry-level positions to build experience, as the field requires both practical skills and the ability to handle extreme physical and mental demands.
What is it like working as a diver in nuclear power plants?
Working as a diver in nuclear facilities involves performing underwater tasks in contaminated water with zero visibility while following strict safety protocols and decontamination procedures. The work requires specialized training, mental toughness to stay calm in uncomfortable conditions, and the ability to complete tasks effectively when you can't see what you're doing.
What is Breakdown The Dive podcast about?
Breakdown The Dive is a podcast hosted by commercial divers Blake Riddle and Dylan Harrell that focuses on the commercial diving industry, ocean lifestyle, and helping people interested in underwater work understand what it takes to pursue this career path. The show shares stories, insights, and practical information about a profession that operates largely out of public view.
What is offshore diving work like?
Offshore diving work involves living on oil rigs and other offshore platforms for weeks at a time, operating on rotations that keep divers away from home for extended periods. The work creates a unique lifestyle with strong camaraderie among crew members and requires the ability to handle isolation, demanding physical conditions, and the mental challenges of long work cycles in remote locations.
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Blake Riddle & Dylan Harrell
Blake Riddle and Dylan Harrell are commercial underwater divers based in Costa Mesa, California. They work in some of the most challenging underwater environments including nuclear power plants, offshore oil rigs, and marine construction projects. Together they host the podcast Breakdown The Dive, where they share insights about the commercial diving industry and help people interested in underwater work understand what it takes to pursue this unique career path. Their show builds community around a profession that operates largely behind the scenes.
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