PWR e-News
from Steve Martin,
Director of Training
The “Safety” in Public Safety Diving is the result of an entire system being in place with three of the critical elements being personnel, training, and equipment. This past January Piedmont Water Response offered public safety diving personnel the opportunity to enhance equipment skills critical for diving in cold or contaminated water. The Dry Suit, Full Face Mask, and Underwater Communications class covered classroom, pool, and open water exercises with the very equipment that would be required for a search in an ice covered pond during in the following weeks.
The cold snap provided ice so thick that a chain saw was required to cut a hole for the surface ice rescue training. Surface Rescue personnel studied ice formation, victim survivability, and the techniques for quickly and safely rescuing victims who have fallen through the ice. The training began in a warm classroom and ended with each member going through the ice--first as a rescuer and finally as the victim. Fire, EMS and Water Rescue personnel participated in a “cool” day of training.
March training will be dedicated to completing the advanced skills of the Emergency Response Diver 2 class. Personnel who have completed the ERDi Tender, Emergency Response Diver 1, Evidence, Full Face Mask, and Dry Suit classes will have an opportunity to complete the first advanced public safety diver training class offered in central Virginia. For nearly a year, these divers have been developing familiarity with new equipment, enhancing search and recovery techniques, and learning to work as a team composed of divers and tenders.
Two great training opportunities will occur during the months of March and April. First, for those who are new to Water Rescue—an awareness level surface rescue class will be taught at Fluvanna County’s March Medical Madness. The March 17th class will cover safety, scene control, shore based rescues, and basic water rescue equipment.
The second opportunity for training will be in April (see the training calendar for details) and involves the most critical member of the public safety dive team—the Dive Tender. The class is open to divers and non-divers, but will require that the Tender demonstrate the ability to swim.
Tenders are directly responsible for the safety of the dive team. The Tender outfits the diver, performs the safety check, communicates with the diver, and monitors the diver at all times. When a diver is under ice, in dark water, and unable to navigate—the Tender knows where he is, knows the way out, estimates the diver’s air supply, and can lead the diver back to safety. The tender literally holds the diver’s life in his hands. If you are ready to take on the critical role for your team, contact Chip Earle, Greg Zajac, or me to sign up.
Train often and be
safe!
Steve Martin
Stephen B. Martin
Piedmont Water
Response
Director of Training / ERDi Instructor
909 Gardens
Blvd, Charlottesville, VA 22901
(434) 242-7611
steve@piedmontwr.org