Public safety divers can be individuals working in law enforcement. Divers who are public safety divers have a few key differences from recreational divers. These include their dive locations, training and equipment. Public safety divers will protect the environment, people and property. A public safety diver is also equipped for law enforcement and all the tasks that it involves.
Training requirements
Divers in public safety have to complete several training requirements. The first stage of the course includes knowledge development in classroom settings. Students will learn how to resolve and conduct searches. They will also become familiar with the various equipments required for such missions. The second phase involves multiple dives where students can practice their search and recovery skills in controlled environments. These courses are for public safety divers, who may wish to dive in hazardous or contaminated areas.
The ERDI is the most basic course in the public safety diver training program. It has been approved by NFPA and STATE as well as 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. These divers often work undercover and can encounter criminals as well. These professionals are not to belittle police officers or investigators. However, both these roles are important. Law enforcement operations can only succeed if both divers and investigators play a critical role.
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. During land-based investigations, LEOs and investigators communicate using spoken codes on police radio frequencies. These codes are not effective underwater. Therefore, divers will typically learn American Sign Language in order to communicate with investigators.
Gear required
Public safety divers can choose from a range of safety equipment. Some are provided by the government, others must supply their own. Ideally, all divers should be geared up in the same way, which makes zero visibility environments easier to manage and streamline maintenance. A full-face mask is a must-have piece of gear. Public safety divers don't dive in contaminated water. Quality of the gear is also important.
PSD courses combine parts of several diving specialties. These could include advanced dives or rescue dives. Divers may also learn technical skills and nitrox to assist in recovery and salvage operations. A larger department may also require PSD divers to be trained in other types of diving or in a specialized environment. These divers might be asked to perform rescue and search missions under conditions not experienced by a professional diver.