Individuals who are involved in law enforcement and search and rescue are called public safety divers. In a few ways, public safety divers are different than recreational divers. Public safety divers will protect the environment, people 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
There are several training requirements for public safety divers. 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. Students will also be familiarized with the equipment needed for such missions. The second phase includes multiple dives, where students practice their recovery and search skills in controlled environments. Public safety divers that want to work in dangerous or contaminated waters will benefit from these courses.
The ERDI course is the most basic of the public safety diver training programs. It is approved by NFPA (STATE) and OSHA. The next course is ERDI Level II, which covers advanced techniques of emergency response diving. It also includes the use full face masks and dry suits. All who successfully complete the training will receive an ERDI certification card. ERDI instructors can certify you.
Public safety divers play an important role in law enforcement
The role of public safety divers in law enforcement is not to be underestimated. They are often working undercover and might encounter criminals and suspects in open ocean. They are professionals, but they do not diminish the important role of investigators or police officers. The success of law enforcement operations depends on the contributions of both investigators and divers.
While LEOs may use dive teams in some cases to respond to water-related crimes, in most cases they can also respond to land-related incidents. Divers will normally be deployed in patrol cars or small boats. Once they reach the water’s edge, they will change into scuba equipment. LEOs, investigators and police radio operators communicate using spoken codes during land-based investigations. These codes can't be used underwater. So, divers are likely to learn American Sign Language (ASL) in order communicate with investigators.
Gear required
There is a wide range of safety gear used by public safety divers. Some of the gear is provided by agencies while others have to provide their own. In order to make zero visibility environments more manageable and easier to maintain, it is ideal that all divers are properly equipped. A full-face mask must be part of your gear. Public safety divers generally dive in contaminated water or around submerged bodies or vehicles. The quality of the gear is equally important.
PSD courses combine parts from multiple diving specialties. These may include advanced dives, rescue dives, and master divers. Divers might also be trained in technical skills and nitrox for rescue and recovery. An additional requirement for PSD divers may be to be trained in another type of diving or in a special environment. These divers might be called upon to assist in rescue and search operations in circumstances that would normally be avoided by a diver.