Public Safety Diver

Public safety divers (PSDs) are specialized scuba divers who work as part of law enforcement, fire departments, or other emergency response teams.

They focus on underwater search, rescue, recovery, and investigation in support of public safety missions.

Here are some common types of jobs public safety divers undertake:

Search and Recovery

Evidence Recovery: Locating and retrieving weapons, vehicles, or other evidence submerged in water for criminal investigations.
Body Recovery: Recovering drowning victims or other deceased individuals in water for identification and investigation.
Vehicle Recovery: Safely removing cars, boats, or other vehicles from underwater locations.

Rescue Operations

Swiftwater Rescue: Conducting rescues in fast-moving water, such as rivers or flash flood zones.
Ice Diving Rescue: Performing rescue or recovery operations in frozen water conditions.
Underwater Search for Survivors: Locating and extricating individuals trapped in submerged vehicles, boats, or other underwater scenarios.

Crime Scene Investigation

Underwater Forensics: Preserving the integrity of crime scenes underwater, including proper documentation and handling of evidence.
Site Mapping: Creating detailed maps of underwater crime scenes to aid investigations and court presentations.

Disaster Response

Flood Response: Conducting searches for missing persons or assisting with evacuation during floods.
Hurricane and Storm Response: Searching for victims and clearing debris in the aftermath of natural disasters.
Dam or Bridge Failures: Supporting rescue and recovery operations during infrastructure collapses.

Marine Law Enforcement

Boating Accident Investigation: Examining underwater wreckage for signs of negligence or criminal activity.
Smuggling and Contraband Recovery: Assisting in recovering illegal goods, such as drugs or weapons, from submerged hiding spots.

Hazmat Diving

Contaminated Water Operations: Diving in hazardous conditions, such as polluted rivers, chemical spills, or wastewater treatment facilities, with proper protective equipment.
Radiological and Biological Risks: Responding to incidents involving potential biohazards or radiation in aquatic environments.

Training and Education

Public Safety Dive Training: Providing training for new team members in public safety diving techniques, equipment use, and safety protocols.
Community Outreach: Educating the public about water safety, drowning prevention, and emergency procedures.

Support for Firefighting and Infrastructure

Dam Inspections: Assisting with emergency inspections and repairs of dams and water intake systems.
Firefighting Water Supply: Recovering and repairing firefighting equipment lost in water during operations.

Specialized Missions

Ice and Cold-Water Diving: Performing search and recovery under ice in extremely cold environments.
Night and Low-Visibility Diving: Working in zero-visibility conditions using advanced navigation and search techniques.
K9 Dive Team Assistance: Working with canine units trained to detect human remains in water.

Certifications and Training

Public safety divers typically undergo extensive training beyond standard scuba certifications. They learn specialized skills such as: