Klamath County (Oregon) Sheriff Dive Rescue - Public Safety Diving

The Mission of the Klamath County (Oregon) Sheriff Dive Rescue (Dive Rescue) is to assist the Sheriff's Office with any underwater search and recoveries. It is our goal to achieve the highest dive standards and training possible so that we can respond professionally and safely to any underwater situtations.

The purpose of this web page is to illustrate some of the guidelines for the operation and utilization of the Klamath County Sheriff Dive Rescue. The Klamath County Sheriff Dive Rescue uses Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG's) to promote proficiency in all types of water rescue and recovery missions and a safer operational environment.

The writers of this web page assume no liability for the activity or liability of any person from which any consequences may arise. The editors of the Dive Rescue Advisory Board make no claim that use of this web page will eliminate or reduce the severity of injuries incurred as a result of public safety diving. The editors and the Klamath County Sheriff Dive Rescue make no claim that the practices and procedures set forth within this web page will remain constant.

An additonal purpose of this web page is to encourage individuals and teams to pursue public safety diving training either on their own or as a team. We provide that training (see below) or we can give you other training references.

Dive Rescue means the acts of searching for, rescuing, or recovering, by means or ground or marine activity, any person who is lost, injured, or killed in a water environment. Dive Rescue also means the acts of searching for or recovering, by means or ground or marine activity, any object that is missing in a water enviroment.

Dive Rescue started about 42 years ago under Don Crownover. The present Captain, Conrad Caillouette, has been affliated with Dive Rescue for the last 34 years.

Dive Rescue consists of a team with a total of 20 - 25 (34 maximum) volunteers. Dive Rescue is divided into smaller Squads primarily to simplify training, communication, and to facilitate a rotating on-call schedule, if necessary. Presently, Dive Rescue has two squads and one leadership level squad-like entity. The three (3) "squads" rotate station duties each month.

Sheriff, Tim Evinger, is an elected Klamath County official ultimately responsible for Dive Rescue. The Sheriff appoints a deputy to the position of Search and Rescue Coordinator. The Sheriff's Search and Rescue Coordinator represents the Sheriff for water related emergencies and serves in an advisory capacity to Dive Rescue.

The Captain is appointed by the Sheriff and reports to the Sheriff's Search and Rescue Coordinator. The Captain is required to have a minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience on Dive Rescue. They are to have obtained the rating of Senior Dive Master (see definition below). They are also in command of the Special Underwater Investigation and Training Squad (S.U.I.T.S.) elite unit of Dive Rescue. The Captain chairs the Advisory Board.

The Captain is supported, down the chain of command, by a First Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant (Training Officer), Staff Sergeant (Assistant Training Officer). The Staff Sergeant has each of the squads reporting to the position. A Sergeant commands each squad with the assistance of a Corporal.

The Advisory Board consists of the Chair - Captain, Vice Chair - First Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant (Training Officer), Member-At-Large, Search and Rescue Coordinator, and Advisory Treasurer. One of the primary functions of the Advisory Board is to approve all Dive Rescue training. The Team Secretary records all minutes of all meetings.

The training department consists of five members, the current compositon is the (Second Lieutenant) Training Officer, (Staff Sergeant) Assistant Training Officer, (Sergeant) Squad Leader #1, and (Sergeant) Squad Leader #2, (Corporal) Assistant Squad Leader #1, and (Corporal) Assistant Squad Leader #2 appointed by the Advisory Board as needed. The Training Officer shall be the Chair of the training department. One of the Training Officer's responsibilities is to select and oversee additional training instructors as needed. The training department, with the approval of the Advisory Board selects training subjects and instructors. The department also provides any assistance needed by the Captain in setting up related field exercises. The department is responsible to the Advisory Board and shall keep it informed of any planned activities.

The training department recommends and the Advisory Board approves all outside training activities. Dive Rescue offers to other Public Safety Diving entities and their members, individually, opportunities to receive training at their location or ours. Please contact the webmaster at omnidive@omnidivers.com to initiate or consult about a training program for you and or your team. We recently offered surface supplied air, nitrox and trimix diving training to all our Dive Rescue members and we can do this or provide other classes the training for you. We also offer - teach - provide Dive Rescue Training to Outside Agencies which we would like for your Team to take advantage of our offerings. These classes are based on up to 40 years of actual public safety diving field and training experiences.

Normally, membership meetings are held every Wednesday night at 1800 hours (hours may change due to the season). The first Wednesday of the month, is a general meeting with food provided by one of the squads (on a three month rotating schedule). At this general meeting, business of dive rescue is conducted, activities planned, and reports issued.

On the middle two or three Wednesdays of the month, we have various courses or levels of training and/or training exercises. Our members continually train and are awarded different levels based on their completion of the training courses during the year and their actual mission and field experience at the Awards Ceremony held in December of each year. On the average, we have a minimum of 24 scheduled training sessions per calendar year. Two to four courses are offered each year from our in-house Scuba Diving Instructors. Additional training courses are held depending on the need of individuals or squads or requests from outside agencies.

Typically, the last Wednesday of the month, we generally have a work detail night where specific items are repaired, and/or general station duties are performed, etc. Other activities include supporting the community with various functions.

We occupy a donated Fire Station. In this building we house all of our equipment. The building has an office, classroom, kitchen, bathroom, and an upstairs equipment/repair facility room. The following departments report directly to the First Lieutenant, Tim Erwin: Safety, Quartermaster, Equipment, Communication and Photography, Work Detail, Marine Maintenance, and Mobile Maintenance which enables the department head to carry out the assigned duties, and complete monthly duties on the last Wednesday of the month.

We have surface supplied equipment consisting of two umbilical (300 feet each) with an older Dive Control System DCS-2A console, two Superlite 27's, with attached video camera, two boats, zodiac, ice boat, two vehicles (one large van (laundry style) and one ambulance type).

We are capable of diving to 200 feet for recoveries on trimix using the Surface Supplied equipment.

We offer Technical Diving International (TDI) classes to fit your schedule and tailored to your needs!

Information about TDI Surface Supplied Diving
Information on TDI Surface Supplied Diving Training Classes
Information on TDI Surface Supplied Diving Training Class Requirements

Technical Diving International

We offer Public Safety Diving Association (PSDA) classes to fit your schedule and tailored to your needs!

Information about PSDA Instructor Qualifications
Information on Public Safety Diving Association (PSDA) Surface Supplied Diving Classes
Information on Public Safety Diving Association (PSDA) Classes
Information on Public Safety Diving Association (PSDA) Class Requirements
Information on PSDA Level I Course Outline
Information on PSDA Specialty Courses

Public Safety Diving Association

We offer National Association of Commercial Diving Specialists (NACDS) classes to fit your schedule and tailored to your needs!

Information about NACDS
Information on National Association of Commercial Diving Specialists (NACDS) Surface Supplied Diving Classes
Information on National Association of Commercial Diving Specialists (NACDS) Classes

Klamath County Sheriff
Dive Rescue
Certifications

Maintaining Certification

The Dive Rescue training department on maintaining certification met on January 1, 1991, and developed the following criteria for certified members to maintain their certification:

Members must participate in at least 9 out of 12 general meetings per calendar year.
Members must participate for a minimum of 50% of the schedule training and/or work detail sessions per calendar year. Hours may be credited in the following areas:
- All search time, either on an actual call or on an exercise.
- All actual participation in approved Dive Rescue training (includes instruction and assisting).
The Sheriff and/or Captain may authorize a member to maintain certification under special circumstances even though a member does not meet the above requirements.

An additional topic the training department discussed certification waivers for health reasons and set the following criteria:

The Sheriff or the Captain may waive certain certification requirements or portions thereof, or may change or alter requirements for certification for members because of health issues.
The waiver only effects that exception of the certification requirements restricted by reasons of health. Certifications requirements not effected must be completed.
The member shall be considered certified when certification requirements, excluding those waived are successfully completed.

The Captain has the responsibilty and authority to limit or select a member's specific Dive Rescue activities for health reasons.

Surface Support Personnel

May assist on water related incidents within their abilities.
Assist divers with all surface rescues, including equipment and line tending.
Must have at least one year, as a probationary member, on the Dive Rescue.

Courses:

Drowning Accidents: Demonstrates the ability to rescue or recover on the surface, a victim in a swimming pool or open water.
Scene Evaluation: Demonstrates the ability to differentiate between rescue mode and recovery mode or crime scene, also includes witness interview.
Family, Media and Other Agencies: Demonstrates the ability to work with a victim's family, the media and other emergency services.
Search Patterns and Line Tending: Demonstrates the requirements for line tending in order to control a diver in a variety of water environments.
Assist on Surface: Demonstrate the skill to assist dive rescue member on the shoreline and or water surface only.
Equipment: Demonstate the ability to keep and maintain all dive rescue equipment. Operate and maintain air bank trailer, compressor, cascade system, and all radio equipment to include call signs.
Medical Training: Complete first aid and CPR courses given by an accredited agency.
Victim Retrieval: Demonstrate the ability to provide assistance on shore or on the water surface to a person or persons in an emergency situation.
Boat Operations: Has knowledge of boat handling, operations, and boat safety.
Trauma Training: Demonstrate the ability to deal with traumatic situations with regards to oneself and others. Instruction provided by the Dive Rescue and Dive Rescue video.
Surface Supplied Air (SSA) Line Tender: Personnel should have the ability to set up an SSA station to include the Diver Control System (DCS), umbilical, and hat. He/she should also be able to dress, line tend, and undress a surface supplied air diver.

Reference materials used for the above course include:

US Coast Guard Boating Safety manual
Surface Supplied Air manual
Dive Rescue recovery videos

Training is scheduled based on written materials and training seminars developed from actual experiences. All Dive Rescue incidents may vary from training.

Advanced Diver

May dive on water related incidents with limited water currents and limited hazards up to their level of training.

Courses:

Boat Diving: Perform the proper skills for an anchor line search pattern.
Underwater Navigation: Ability to follow a course above and below the water.
Limited Visibility: Demonstrate the ability to conduct a search pattern underwater with zero visibility.
Speed Dressing: Demonstrate the skills required to go from street clothes to full scuba dress within a predetermined time.
Search and Recovery: Demonstrate the skills required to make an adequate search and recovery of a victim or object from underwater.
Air Lift Bags: Demonstrate the ability to raise and lower an object using an airlift bag.
Deep Diving: Demonstrate the ability to calculate high altitude tables, decompression tables, decompression stops and be able to plan and execute a safe deep dive.
DCS Operator: Setup and operate DCS station to include monitoring air consumption, communications, and diver situation.

Member will remain at this level for two years and will need to acquire two specialty courses. Courses recommended to start with are: Search and Recovery, Underwater Navigation, Peak Performance Buoyancy and Boat Diving.

Reference materials used for the above course include:

PADI (or equivalent) Advanced Diver manual
Surface Supplied Air manual

Training is scheduled based on written materials and training seminars developed from actual experiences. All Dive Rescue incidents may vary from training.

Rescue Diver

May dive on water related incidents within their level of training and abilities.
Maintains advanced underwater recovery skills.
Can operate dive vehicles in emergency situations.
Possesses the ability to assume dive rescue leadership.

Courses:

Prevention: Ability to recognize and help prevent stressful situations. To develope behavior and observation techniques to help prevent accidents.
Diving First Aid: The ability to recognize and treat diving injuries.
Management: Demonstrate the ability to set-up and manage a command post in an emergency situtation.
Underwater Assists: Demonstate the skills required to provide assistance to a distressed diver.
Underwater Rescues: Demonstrate the skills required to rescue or recover a victim.
Safety Diver: Show the ability to approach and assist a primary diver in an emergency situtation.
Emergency Driving: Demonstrate the legal aspects of emergency driving, show the ability to drive defensively and demonstrate the knowledge of vehicle inspections.
SSA Diver: Demonstrate the ability to dive on Surface Supplied Air equipment and be certified by a reputable organization.

Member will remain at this level for two years for a total of four (4) years on dive rescue and will need to acquire two specialty courses for a total of four (4). Courses recommended to acquire are: Search and Recovery, Equipment Specialist, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and Boat Diving.

Reference materials used for the above course include:

PADI (or equivalent) Rescue Diver manual
Surface Supplied Air manual

Training is scheduled based on written materials and training seminars developed from actual experiences. All Dive Rescue incidents may vary from training.

Senior Rescue Diver

Member will need to have completed all requirements for Rescue Diver. Member will remain at this level for two years for a total of six (6) years on dive rescue and will need to acquire two specialty courses for a total of six (6). Courses recommended to acquire are: Divers Alert Network (DAN) Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries (O2 Provider), High Altitude, Night Diver, and Dry Suit Diver.

Master Diver

May dive on water related incidents within their level of training and abilities.
Maintains advanced underwater recovery skills.
Possesses the ability to assume dive rescue leadership.

Courses:

Underwater Investigations: Performs the proper use of underwate photography, evidence presentation, documenting a crime scene, preservation and removal of evidence.
Swift Water Rescue: Demonstrate the ability to utilize the Tyrolean system, four-line system, swift water throwaway diver, and swift water self rescue.
Repelling: Proper way of descending a slope by means of a rope and other repelling hardware and maintenance of all equipment.
Vehicle Accidents: Show the proper procedures for approaching a vehicle in swift water or calm water. Vehicle entry underwater, hookups for tow truck, extracting a victim from a vehicle, and underwater vehicle documentation.
Ice Diving: Demonstrate the ability to set-up and manage an underwater ice diving situation.
Aircraft Rescue: General knowledge of civilian aircraft, Air Guard/fighter aircraft and other aircraft when available. The ability to install airlift bags for re-floating the aircraft.
Leadership: Knowledge of Dive Rescue Leadership and incident command utilizing personnel and equipment.

Member will remain at this level for two years for a total of eight (8) years on dive rescue and will need to acquire two specialty courses for a total of eight (8). Courses recommended to acquire are: Deep Diver, High Altitude, and Ice Diver.

Reference materials used for the above course include:

Ice Diver manual
Dive Rescue International (DRI) training manual

Training is scheduled based on written materials and training seminars developed from actual experiences. All Dive Rescue incidents may vary from training.

Senior Master Diver

Member will need to have completed all requirements for Master Diver. Member will remain at this level for two years for a total of ten (10) years on dive rescue and will need to acquire two specialty courses for a total of ten (10). Courses recommended to acquire are: Divers Alert Network (DAN) Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries (O2 Provider), Master Scuba Diver, Decompression Procedures Diver, and Dry Suit Diver.

Dive Master

May dive on water related incidents within their level of training and abilities.
Maintains advanced underwater recovery skills.
Displays ability to operate a water related crime scene.
Possesses the ability to assume dive rescue leadership.

Courses:

Underwater Metal Detector: Demonstrate the ability to operate an underwater metal detector in clear and black water situations.
Dive Site Mapping: Demonstrate the ability to map a dive site. Showing best entry points, hazards, and landmarks.
Crime Scene Mapping: Demonstrate the ability to map an underwater crime scene using an underwater grid.
GPS Operation: Demonstrate the ability to operate a GPS on land and on the water.

Member will remain at this level for two years for a total of twelve (12) years on dive rescue and will need to acquire two specialty courses for a total of twelve (12). Courses recommended to acquire are: Nitrox Diver, Trimix Diver, Gas Blender, and Rebreather Diver.

Reference materials used for the above course include:

PADI (or equivalent) Divemaster manual
Dive Rescue International (DRI) training manual
Metal Detector manual
GPS Operations manual

Training is scheduled based on written materials and training seminars developed from actual experiences. All Dive Rescue incidents may vary from training.

Senior Dive Master

Member will need to have completed all requirements for Dive Master. Member will remain at this level for two years for a total of fourteen (14) years on dive rescue and will need to acquire two specialty courses for a total of fourteen (14). Courses recommended to acquire are: Divers Alert Network (DAN) Remote Emergency Medical Oxygen (REMO2), DAN Automatic External Defibrillators for Scuba Diving Injuries, and Rebreather Diver.

Public Safety Team Questionaire

Ed Young, Detective and Team Leader of the Knox County Sheriff's Underwater Recovery Team (SURT) from Knoxville, Tennessee produced a Public Safety Team questionaire and the results (Questionnaire Response Board) are published on his team's website. Ed updated the questionaire response board on March 6, 2001. Based on our review of the answers, Dive Rescue can offer assistance in the following two areas:

Public Safety Diving Agency training (25 percent of the teams who responded had not received training from a Public Safety Diving agency. We offer Public Safety Diving agency courses through the Public Safety Diving Association (PSDA),

and

Nitrox training (we have several qualified instructors teaching for several different agencies including IANTD, TDI, and PADI) (88 percent of the teams had not used Nitrox although some indicated qualified team members used Nitrox on an individual basis). We also offer gas and advanced gas blending training courses so your Team can mix their own fills and not have to rely on an outside source.

If you need more information on Klamath County Sheriff Dive Rescue or potential training we can offer you and/or your Team,

please e-mail us at omnidive@omnidivers.com