Public safety divers work in law enforcement or search and rescue. The training and dive locations of public safety divers are different from recreational divers. They also have special equipment and specific dates. 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. A public safety diver is also equipped for law enforcement and all the tasks that it involves.
Training requirements
There are several training requirements for public safety divers. The first stage of the course includes knowledge development in classroom settings. The students will learn different techniques to solve missions and conduct searches. Students will also learn about various equipment required for such missions. The second phase involves multiple dives where students can practice their search and recovery skills in controlled environments. Public safety divers that want to work in dangerous or contaminated waters will benefit from these courses.
The ERDI course, which is the most basic program in public safety diver training, is approved by NFPA, STATE and OSHA. It is approved by NFPA (STATE) and OSHA. The next course is the ERDI Level II course, which covers advanced techniques for emergency response diving, including the use of dry suits and full face masks. All who successfully complete the training will receive an ERDI certification card. A certified ERDI instructor will be able to certify you.
Role of public safety divers in law enforcement
It is important to recognize the importance of public safety divers for law enforcement. They often work undercover and may encounter suspects, as well as criminals, in the ocean. While these professionals play a vital role, they should not belittle the police officers and investigators. Both of these roles are quite different. Effective law enforcement operations are dependent on both the divers and the investigators.
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 or investigators communicate via radio frequency using spoken codes. When underwater, these codes are defeated. Divers will learn American Sign Language to communicate with investigators.
Gear needed
Divers in public safety have access to a wide variety of safety gear. Some safety gear is provided by the agency, while others are purchased from their suppliers. 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 is a must-have piece of gear. Public safety divers often dive in contaminated waters, around submerged vehicles, and around bodies of water. The quality of the gear is equally important.
PSD courses combine different diving specialties. These could include advanced dives or rescue dives. Divers might also be trained in technical skills and nitrox for rescue and recovery. PSD divers might also need to be trained for other types of diving in a more specialized environment. These divers might be asked to perform rescue and search missions under conditions not experienced by a professional diver.