Search & Rescue Divers
- Thread starter Robspeire
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I was a FD Certified search and rescue diver many years ago. Most of all our dives were recovery rather than rescue.
Old Arkansawyer
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I wasn't certified but I helped recover a body a couple years after
I got out of the USN, so about summer of 75. Some young people
were camped on a watershed lake. The story was he was drunk and
wandered off around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Local LEO contacted
me about 4:00 p.m. to look for the guy. He was in about 20 feet of
low visibility water. I did not find it a pleasant job.
I got out of the USN, so about summer of 75. Some young people
were camped on a watershed lake. The story was he was drunk and
wandered off around 2:00 a.m. on Sunday morning. Local LEO contacted
me about 4:00 p.m. to look for the guy. He was in about 20 feet of
low visibility water. I did not find it a pleasant job.
It was not a pleasant job, in summer low to no visibility, polluted water and work done by feel. In the winter we would practice under-ice dives in dry suits which I did enjoy. Excellent visibility and tethered to a dive tender for safety. I also used my certification for diving in the Caribbean and Mexico that was very enjoyable.
AManWearingAHat
Member
Just a regular old recreational diver here. Love the hobby but not making any living of off it. Clear warm caribbean waters only please!
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Not a S&R diver, and didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express, but my granddaughter arranged a ride-along for us with her father's NYPD Scuba unit. A great group of highly trained guys with an impressive skill set.
That's what I could never understand. Lifeguards "rescue" & we find the deceased or Recover. The only time there could be a "rescue"if some was in a underwater cave.
I am fortunate where I got my 1st certification the dive shop asked me if I would help out & in return for no pay I got every Certification I could.
The first divers I ever saw in real life were Rescue Divers on Orchard Beach in NY. I was about 10 & sitting on the beach with friends when 2 S&R divers dragged a drowned person right up in front of us. Pulled him up past the water line about 20 feet from us.
Ambulance pulled up, 1 said to the other "They're here, lets go to lunch" as, he rubbed his hands as if to clean them smiling @ me.
I’ve been a PADI-certified Rescue Diver for probably close to 25-years. Like any other certification, it only means anything if you train and use it enough to be competent. At my age, I wouldn’t want me to be coming to my rescue. 
Much rather have a younger man who is a stronger swimmer and with a LOT more endurance.
That said, I do remember a lot of my training. I enjoyed the Rescue Diver curriculum. In Indiana, a lot of it was like instrument flying underwater.
Much rather have a younger man who is a stronger swimmer and with a LOT more endurance.That said, I do remember a lot of my training. I enjoyed the Rescue Diver curriculum. In Indiana, a lot of it was like instrument flying underwater.
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First responders although passionate and compassionate about their work do tend to have a gallows sense of humor.
SAFireman
Member
I worked for the Sheriff's Office dive rescue team for a bit. There was no rescue to it, most were deceased before the call was made to 911. We did recover some stolen property, so it wasn't a total loss.
For a while I was part of the FD's dive team, but got really tired of snakes, gators, and dead people. The FD discontinued the service and went to water rescue boats and throw lines.
The last time I went diving was in the Caribbean - I absolutely love that!
For a while I was part of the FD's dive team, but got really tired of snakes, gators, and dead people. The FD discontinued the service and went to water rescue boats and throw lines.
The last time I went diving was in the Caribbean - I absolutely love that!
John, as we both know that is the final safety valve. It keeps us from understanding what's really happening around us
bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
The NYPD Scuba Team regularly saves lives, but they are a full time unit that is always ready to respond immediately, from multiple bases. They also have an aviation arm, with divers standing by with helicopters around the clock.
This is a link to a rescue my SIL went on with the helicopter 15 years ago.
A Navy launch got trapped in sea ice and disabled off the New Jersey coast. Another launch was sent to rescue them became disabled as well.
With two crews stuck in sea ice, in a gale, at night, the Navy called the Coast Guard for assistance. The Coast Guard called the NYPD.
Press Release 2004-022
Vulcan Bob
Member
I'm a P.A.D.I. certified search and rescue diver since the early 80's. I've had a few "saves" and helped recover some evidence, stolen firearms and such from local quarries for a few local PD's. After my "incident" in 2008 my cardiologist and doctor "beached" me from diving.
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rkittine
Member
Was certified years ago and finally let it lapse, though I still own my Hollis Prism II rebreather and Tri-Mix set up.
Bob
Bob
