What next in Dive Rescue

[JimSpoor]

I am a new recruit to our volunteer dive rescue squad. I am currently attending classes for my basic PADI open-water qualification. My question is what type of training or classes should I follow up with? Black water, cave, technical, recovery? What topics are the most important?

From what I gather, once I become a qualified diver most of the remainder of my training will be in-house drill or instruction. Search patterns, using line tenders, ice diving, etc. I am hoping to get additional "certified" or "professional" instruction to ensure my safety and productivity to the team.

Any thoughts??

[Mongo]

If you're doing this for S&R squad, I would recommend getting your Advanced Open water cert then getting into some specialty courses like Underwater navigation, Night diving, and Search & Recovery. After that, I would get into some enclosed diving progrms (cave, wreck, etc.)

Here's a good flow chart for you to look at:

http://www.padi.com/courses/rec/

I've actually gone through the entire recreational program and am now a Divemaster. If you want any more info, PM me or post here. Take care.

[NYC03]

Anything with an emphasis on black water and a course on ice diving. I would recomend taking courses beyond the recreational relm. There are courses out there that cater to fire and police professionals and your department may be able to sponser you. If I can find a link with more info I will post it. I don't think Nitrox training is going to be of much benifit to you since most of the diving within the 50 fsw range and most of the time in the 10 to 20 fsw range. I would also recomend a course on Full Face Masks with communications such as the Kirby Morgan-EXO-26 and a course in cotaminated water diving. Most of the diving that you will be doing will be in ponds, swamps, inlets, rivers, and any other inland water source that has the potential of putting someone in danger, hiding a body or weapon.

[Sandles2Sidearm]

what type of diving you will be doing.
Are you going to be doing body search and recovery only? If so, navigation and black water.

If you are going to do recovery, technical and bag lifting might be something to think about.

Really it doesn't matter and I am suprised to hear that your organization does not dictate your specialization.

Two dives in an environment does not make one an expert, nor does it mean that even though you did not take that portion, you won't be able to take it in the future...






PS. There is a lot of flexibility in those tables, especially if you make a stop...J/K " boy my elbows hurt"

[JimSpoor]

Based our our call-out log, we will mostly respond for search and rescue/recovery calls. Of course ice diving in season. Most all evidence recovery, scene mapping, etc will be handled by the police divers. Our dive resources are a little thin in this area so all the agencies help each other out. NYSP or the SO have the best equipment but can take much longer to get on scene. On the other hand we can mobilize faster but can't support more than two divers operating (and sometimes only one) when logistics, tenders, etc are taken into account. We also currently do not have a swift water capability.