Public safety divers are people who work in law enforcement, search and rescue, or both. Public safety divers differ from recreational divers in a few key ways, including their training, dive locations, and dates, and their special equipment. As a public safety diver, you will be responsible for protecting the environment, the lives of those on the surface, and the property of those in your care. Public safety divers will also be well-equipped to deal with the unique demands of law enforcement work and the numerous tasks it involves.
Training requirements
Public safety divers must complete several training courses. The first phase of this course is knowledge development in the classroom. Students will be taught about the different methods of conducting searches and solving missions. They will also become familiar with the various equipments required for such missions. The second phase consists of multiple dives in which students will practice their recovery and searching skills in controlled environments. These courses are for public safety divers, who may wish to dive in hazardous or contaminated areas.
The ERDI course, which is the most basic program in public safety diver training, is approved by NFPA, STATE and OSHA. It is approved and recognized by OSHA, STATE, NFPA. 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. After the training, you will receive your ERDI certification card. A certified ERDI instructor will be able to certify you.
Public safety divers play an essential role in law enforcement
The role of public safety divers in law enforcement is not to be underestimated. These divers often work undercover and can encounter criminals as well. They are professionals, but they do not diminish the important role of investigators or police officers. In fact, the roles of both divers and investigators are critical to the success of law enforcement operations.
Sometimes, LEOs deploy dive teams to assist with crimes in water. But in many cases, they also respond to incidents that occur on the land. The divers will be in patrol boats or small boats and then transform into scuba gear as soon as they reach the water's edge. LEOs (low-level officers) and investigators communicate over radio frequencies using spoken codes. When underwater, these codes are defeated. To communicate with investigators, divers typically learn American Sign Language.
Gear required
There is a wide range of safety gear used by public safety divers. Some are provided by the government, others must supply 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 a must-have piece of gear. Public safety divers are not permitted to dive in contaminated waters or near vehicles or submerged bodies. The quality of the gear is equally important.
PSD courses combine parts from multiple diving specialties. These courses can be advanced, rescue, or master dives. Technical skills and nitrox may also be taught to divers in order to aid in salvage 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 required to rescue or search in situations that are not possible for a sport diver.