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 are responsible for protecting the environment and the lives of others on the surface. 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 require a variety of training requirements. The course's first phase involves knowledge acquisition in a classroom setting. Students will be taught about the different methods of conducting searches and solving missions. Students will also learn about the different equipment required to conduct such missions. The second phase is comprised of multiple dives. This allows students to practice their search, recovery, and search skills in controlled settings. These courses are useful for public safety divers looking to work with hazardous or contaminated water.
The ERDI is the most basic course in the public safety diver training program. It has been approved for training by OSHA, STATE, NFPA. 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. After completing the training, an ERDI certificate card will be issued. An ERDI instructor certified in your area of expertise will be able certify you.
Public safety divers play an essential role in law enforcement
It is important to recognize the importance of public safety divers for law enforcement. They are often undercover officers and may encounter suspects or criminals in the ocean. These professionals are not to belittle police officers or investigators. However, both these roles are important. Effective law enforcement operations are dependent on both the divers and the investigators.
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 typically be deployed in patrol vehicles or small boats, and change into scuba gear once they arrive on the water's edge. During land-based investigations, LEOs and investigators communicate using spoken codes on police radio frequencies. These codes are not effective underwater. Divers will learn American Sign Language 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. 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 face mask is an essential piece of gear. Public safety divers don't dive in contaminated water. Equally important is the quality of the gear.
PSD courses combine parts from multiple diving specialties. These may include advanced dives, rescue dives, and master divers. Divers may also learn technical skills and nitrox to assist in recovery and salvage operations. PSD divers might also need to be trained for other types of diving in a more specialized environment. These divers might be called upon to assist in rescue and search operations in circumstances that would normally be avoided by a diver.