Water Patrol busy this year...

[VuDuLou]

We've had our fair share of call outs this year...last week my partner (Tim) and I had to dive the Arkansas River at 0330 in the morning...using an LGS harness and line and the Arc Search we recovered a drowning victim at 27' depth (middle of the channel) and 35' from the last seen point...took us about 45 minutes.

[BottomDweller]

Having just taken my SSI Search & Recovery course and Rescue courses in September, I'm chomping at the bit to maybe get into that kind of thing in the future. I've been a waterfront director and wilderness first responder, so I'm not completely ignorant of the concept of rescuing people/recovering bodies, although I know I'm a rookie as far as the diving end of things goes. My LDS is teaming up with Dive Rescue International to offer an intensive 3-day course at the end of March '08. I won't have the qualifications at that time that they require to take the course, but the dive shop owner said I could at least come out and watch parts of it. I'm looking forward to that!

[VuDuLou]

I recommend you do that, plus you may be able to participate as part of the shore support crew...knowing a bit about what's going on before hand will make it less 'overwhelming' when you actually attend...most of the PSD courses, while having a degree of stress, are actually a lot of fun if you're into the 'challenges'.

Enjoy

[VuDuLou]

Well, now we're putting together a team from Water Patrol to compete in next year's Police Olympics, for the four man tactical team competition...I'm picking up the keys to a private range and have arranged to practice during the week (off duty) so as not to interfere with weekends at the lake/ lounge...

[BottomDweller]

I recommend you do that, plus you may be able to participate as part of the shore support crew...knowing a bit about what's going on before hand will make it less 'overwhelming' when you actually attend...most of the PSD courses, while having a degree of stress, are actually a lot of fun if you're into the 'challenges'.

Enjoy

The shop I took my Rescue and Search & Recovery classes through combines those two classes, and the instructor works with some area dive teams, so he knows those procedures well. We practiced the rope use and various search patterns while finding "bodies" and bringing them to the surface. He had his asst. instructors act as "bodies" for us. The vis was really low, so we were in dark, cold conditions and having to feel for the "disabled divers" while holding onto the rope held by the shore tender. We also swapped out positions, so all of us had at least one turn as shore tender, backup diver, etc. I had SO MUCH FUN!! I thoroughly loved it, and I'm definitely into the challenges of doing more of this.

[VuDuLou]

Sorry its taking so long to respond...been fighting crime and suppressing evil...glad to hear you enjoyed your time...I recommend you start practicing 'stuff' with someone who is an instructor/ experienced and in a controlled enviornment (pool) with a blacked out mask...95% of my recoveries have been in a zero vis situation...knowing where your gear is on you etc. and one of my favorites is knot tieing u/w blacked out...get some lift bag training as well...good luck, have fun...

[BottomDweller]

Using a blacked-out mask sounds fun, although not a lot different than what I'm used to, being a Nebraska diver! During my rescue and search & recovery classes, one of my scenarios was to find two divers who were both "unresponsive" and on the bottom at the same time. During my search, I had to hold the rope with one hand and keep the other hand sweeping back and forth in front of my face because the bottom was so dark. I finally felt the first "unresponsive" diver's leg, signalled for a backup diver to come and get him and take him to the surface, and then continued to feel around for the second "unresponsive diver." I couldn't see a thing!