LAFD Divers Participate in Public Safety Dive Training

Members of the LAFD Rescue Dive Team as well as members from LA County Fire USAR Task Force participated in a Public Safety Dive Training course hosted by the Riverside County Sheriff Office (RSO) Dive Team.   The courses, PSD I and PSD II were two separate 40 hour courses and part of the RSO dive academy.  "The courses were well organized and comprehensive.  It was a great opportunity to train with one top law enforcement dive teams in the state" said Bill Evans, Backup Diver from Fire Station 49-C.

Steve Meiche, Firefighter from fire Station 49 organized the fire department participation. "I would like to say that the RSO Dive Team is an exemplary professional organization of committed and loyal members.  They are highly competent, most of their members possess advanced dive ratings, instructor certifications and have advanced technical dive experience.  Most impressive though, is that they are a true "TEAM".  Every member exhibited a commitment to a team effort throughout the entire program, it was truly admirable and appreciated" stated Meiche.   "We have a lot to learn from this team and others like them.  We really need to strive in developing the professionalism, camaraderie and commitment they have" Meiche continued.

Mate Todd Hix and an RSO diver prepare for a search and recovery operation

Training video from the confined water training.  

This portion of the training focused on diver safety, team work and mitigating dive emergencies.

Team Skills
 Divers are challenged by completing a series of obstacles as a team then swap scuba equipment while buddy breathing





 Entrapment
Divers navigate through an entrapment prop to experience the difficulties and stress of freeing themselves when fouled by lines and debris.  Divers first navigate with full visual then with masks blacked out.