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. Public safety divers have to be responsible for protecting the natural environment, human lives, and property. A public safety diver is also equipped for law enforcement and all the tasks that it involves.
Training requirements
Public safety divers require a variety of training requirements. 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 is one of the most basic public safety diver training programs. It has been approved for training 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 completing the training, an ERDI certificate card will be issued. A certified ERDI instructor will be able to certify you.
Public safety divers play an important role in law enforcement
Public safety divers play a vital role in law enforcement. They often work undercover and may encounter suspects, as well as criminals, in the ocean. These professionals are not to belittle police officers or investigators. However, both these roles are important. In fact, the roles of both divers and investigators are critical to the success of law enforcement operations.
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 be in patrol boats or small boats and then transform into scuba gear as soon as they reach the water's edge. LEOs or investigators communicate via radio frequency using spoken codes. When underwater, these codes are defeated. For communication with investigators, divers will often learn American Sign Language.
Gear is required
Divers can use a variety of safety gear. Some are provided by the agency while others must provide their own. All divers should be properly equipped so that zero visibility environments are easier to manage. A full face mask is essential gear. Public safety divers do not dive in contaminated water, or around vehicles or bodies that are submerged. Equally important is the quality of the gear.
PSD courses combine several dive specialties. These may include advanced dives, rescue dives, and master divers. 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 asked to perform rescue and search missions under conditions not experienced by a professional diver.