Public safety divers are people who work in law enforcement, search and rescue, or both. The training and dive locations of public safety divers are different from recreational divers. They also have special equipment and specific dates. Public safety divers have to be responsible for protecting the natural environment, human lives, and property. Public safety divers are also well-equipped to tackle the unique challenges that law enforcement brings and the many tasks they require.
Training requirements
Divers in public safety have to complete several training requirements. The first phase of the course involves knowledge development in a classroom environment. The course will teach students about various techniques to conduct searches and resolve missions. They will also become familiar with the various equipments required for such missions. The second phase is comprised of multiple dives. This allows students to practice their search, recovery, and search skills in controlled settings. These courses are useful for public safety divers looking to work with hazardous or contaminated water.
ERDI is the simplest of all public safety diver training programs. It is approved by NFPA, STATE, and OSHA. The ERDI Level II is the next course. This covers advanced techniques for emergency diving, such as the use of dry suits or full-face masks. The ERDI certification card is issued to those who complete the training. You will need to be certified by an ERDI instructor.
Role of public safety divers in law enforcement
The role of public safety divers in law enforcement is not to be underestimated. Many of them work undercover, and they may come across criminals as well as suspects in the sea. The role of these professionals is not to belittle the role of police officers and investigators, although both of these roles are very different. In fact, the roles of both divers and investigators are critical to the success of law enforcement operations.
In some cases, LEOs use dive teams to respond to crimes in water, but in many cases, they will also respond to incidents on land. The divers will usually be transported in small boats or patrol vehicles and then change to scuba gear when they reach the water's edge. LEOs (low-level officers) and investigators communicate over radio frequencies using spoken codes. These codes are not effective underwater. To communicate with investigators, divers typically learn American Sign Language.
Gear required
Public safety divers can choose from a range of safety equipment. Some are provided by the agency while others must provide their own. It is best for all divers to be uniformly geared up, as it makes zero visibility environments much easier to manage and allows for more efficient maintenance. A full face mask is essential gear. Public safety divers are not permitted to dive in contaminated waters or near vehicles or submerged bodies. Quality of the gear is also important.
PSD courses combine several dive specialties. These may include advanced dives, rescue dives, and master divers. Divers can also learn technical skills, nitrox and how to help in recovery and salvage operations. PSD divers might also need to be trained for other types of diving in a more specialized environment. These divers might be called upon to assist in rescue and search operations in circumstances that would normally be avoided by a diver.