Public safety diving

Public safety diving is a branch of professional diving that involves underwater operations conducted by law enforcement, fire rescue, and search & rescue/recovery dive teams. These operations can include tasks such as crime scene investigations, search and recovery, and underwater inspections, among others.

Overview

Public safety divers differ from recreational divers as they have a duty to act and are often employed by a public safety agency. They are typically trained to a higher level of skill than most recreational divers and use specialized diving equipment for their tasks.

Training

Training for public safety diving can be rigorous and extensive. Divers must be proficient in a variety of diving techniques, including scuba diving, surface-supplied diving, and technical diving. They must also be trained in emergency response and rescue techniques.

Equipment

Public safety divers use a variety of equipment, including dive masks, dive computers, dive lights, and diving knives. They may also use specialized equipment such as underwater cameras, underwater metal detectors, and underwater navigation tools.

Risks and Safety

Public safety diving can be a dangerous profession due to the nature of the work and the environments in which they operate. Divers can face hazards such as poor visibility, strong currents, and hazardous materials. Therefore, safety measures such as dive planning, dive briefing, and dive checks are crucial.

See Also

• Professional diving
• Scuba diving
• Technical diving
• Underwater search and recovery