Public Safety Diving Search Patterns

By Walt Hendrick, Andrea Zaferes, and Craig Nelson MD. If you took a recreational rescue diver course or recreational search and recovery course, you probably learned a number of different search techniques,... 

I am OK

Do we, as water rescue response teams understand what it takes, mentally and physically, to make the total operation work? How do we get the most from our rescue personnel, while maintaining strict safety... 

Evidence – we all should know how to handle it

There may be more to it than meets the eye! in SORTIE Vol. 1 no. 2 brings up the point that drowning can be homicidal, and that a body could be dumped in the water in an attempt to cover up foul play.... 

I Said NO! Or Is That An Order…?

By Ken Balfrey As law enforcement officers, do we have the right to say no in a surface or subsurface rescue situation? Are our departments and ranking officers (Chief, Sheriff, or Public Safety Directors)... 

The 15 minute Expert! PWC Operations

Personnel watercraft, are thrusting themselves into both the sport and public safety market at an unbelievable rate. The National Safe Boating Council states that more than 30% of all registered boats... 

Why wearing a harness is important for safety and search effectiveness

Why wearing a harness is important for safety and search effectiveness Sometimes we take for granted that the value of a harness is obvious. We stop taking it for granted when we meet teams that either... 

Learning how to Use and Clear an AGA mask

The Desired Learning Outcome (DLO) of clearing an AGA is as follows. Two years from at 0200 hrs, you are called to a submerged vehicle with two passengers. It is cold and rainy. The team is in rescue mode.... 

Dressing divers and tenders for Mass Casualty Operations

In parts I and II we discussed the initial steps for becoming prepared to manage a mass casualty water-related disaster such as a bridge collapse with multiple vehicle submersions. Drill training sessions... 

CLEARANCE SALE – LGS Buoyancy Compensators

Lifeguard Systems Buoyancy Compensators CLEARANCE SALE!!! – New & Demo Equipment CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PDF FLYER Call us for updated inventory The Lifeguard Systems Public Safety Diver... 

A response to “why” we train the way we do

We received a comment from our PSD ice diving video. “We have plenty of ways of dealing with ice dive scenarios, none of which involve setting up rope systems to get divers to the last seen point. Our...