Public safety divers work in law enforcement or search and rescue. There are a few things that distinguish public safety divers from recreational divers: their training, dive locations and dates as well as their special equipment. Public safety divers have to be responsible for protecting the natural environment, human lives, and property. A public safety diver will also be well-equipped for the unique challenges of law enforcement work and the many tasks it entails.
Training requirements
Public safety divers must complete several training courses. The first phase of this course is knowledge development in the classroom. Students will learn about different techniques for conducting searches and resolving 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. This course is for public safety divers who wish to work in dangerous or contaminated water.
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 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. After the training, you will receive your ERDI certification card. A certified ERDI instructor will be able to certify you.
Role of public safety divers in law enforcement
It is vital to not underestimate the role of public safety diver in law enforcement. They are often undercover officers and may encounter suspects or criminals in the ocean. The role of these professionals is not to belittle the role of police officers and investigators, although both of these roles are very different. The success of law enforcement operations depends on the contributions of both investigators and divers.
Some LEOs will use dive teams to combat crimes in the water. However, many times they will respond to incidents on the ground as well. The divers will arrive at the water's edges in patrol vehicles or small boat and will then change into scuba gear. LEOs or investigators communicate via radio frequency using spoken codes. These codes cannot be broken underwater. Divers will learn American Sign Language to communicate with investigators.
Gear required
Divers in public safety have access to a wide variety of safety gear. Some are provided by the agency while others must provide their own. As a rule, divers should all be equipped in the same manner. This makes it easier to manage zero visibility areas and simplifies maintenance. A full-face mask should be a standard 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. 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.