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Water related rescues seem to be on increase. On of the factors could be more water hazards around populated areas, another factor is that there are more people on the road then ever before.
Last edited by Sea-Diver; August 14th, 2010 at 06:43 PM.
When things go right, Boy Rescued From Bottom Of Lake Makes 'Miracle' Recovery
Boy Rescued From Bottom Of Lake Makes 'Miracle' Recovery
A boy who spent 15 minutes at the bottom of Lake Michigan has made a full and "miraculous" recovery, doctors said on Wednesday. Lazar Ognjenovic, then 2, was submerged in Lake Michigan after a gust of wind blew the stroller he was strapped to into the lake on April 18 at Belmont Harbor. Ognjenovic's grandfather, who could not swim, tried to find him to no avail.
Last edited by Sea-Diver; August 14th, 2010 at 06:42 PM.
Almost every public safety dive team I talk to has very limited space available for rescue gear. The gear has to be compact in order to fit in the first responder vehicle. The ability to fit a compact scuba system in the first responder vehicle is the determining factor as to whether or not you are talking about true rescue attempt or default the effort to recovery. The new Rapid Diver Responder has a 27 cu ft tank which delivers an average of 30 minutes in >30' plus the ability to add a 6-13 cu ft back up tank. Plenty of time for the shallow water dive scenerio.
Last edited by Sea-Diver; August 14th, 2010 at 06:40 PM.
The group was in its first day of training with the Zeagle Rapid Diver system, a compact set of scuba equipment for aiding in underwater rescues.
According to FD1 Capt. Pat McCloskey, the department has considered the idea of acquiring rescue diving gear for quite some time. Recent drowning deaths spurred the agency into action.
“We are surrounded by water in this area, so we’ve wanted to do this for several years, but we didn’t quite know how to go about it,” said McCloskey. “Then in the last year, there was one drowning near Eden Isles, and two in Eagle Lake, so we knew it was time to move on it.”
McCloskey contacted Rick Sutton, owner of Coral Reef Dive Shop. Sutton helped direct them to the Rapid Diver program, and then volunteered his time to lead the training.
A Master Scuba Dive Trainer since 1995, Sutton has logged over 2,000 dives. He has trained a number of members of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and said the firefighters, some of whom were already certified divers, were “very comfortable” in the water.
“Their reaction was fantastic,” said Sutton. “A lot more people showed up for the training than we had planned, because they are really excited to do anything that’s going to help them save more lives.”
Sutton said that while the firefighters are already familiar with using compressed air in a self-contained breathing apparatus, which help provide breathable air when fighting fires. Using them underwater is a little more involved, however, and Sutton said they rose to the challenge.
The system includes a lightweight diving harness that can be slipped on in less than a minute, plus a small air canister suitable for a dive of about 15 to 20 minutes in water of moderate depth. It was initially developed for the military, who needed a versatile, easily deployed system for certain missions on the water.
Public safety agencies and first responders around the South, where waterways are more plentiful, began utilizing the system. It is reported to be especially useful in areas of low visibility or difficult shore entry.
Officials at FD1 estimate the equipment can save up to 30 minutes when beginning water rescues. About a dozen members of the department will take part in the initial training, and will be based at three specific engine companies: Eden Isles, Central in Olde Towne, and Brownswitch Road. After a two-week period of training at Cross Gates, the department will begin working with a stripped-down vehicle submerged in one of the local waterways.
According to Chief of Administration Chris Kaufmann, the idea is to supplement the sheriff’s office Marine Division Search and Rescue Team.
“We’re looking at it as a partnership, a way of adding to our commitment to saving lives and property,” said Kaufmann. “If someone is trapped underwater, this will allow us to get down there and do as much as possible until the sheriff’s office gets there.”
Sheriff Jack Strain said he wholly supports the endeavor.
“People don’t realize that drowning doesn’t just happen out on the lake; it can happen in a small pond in a subdivision,” said Strain. “Anytime our fire and police can get additional training to work together, it makes us stronger agencies and gives us a stronger community.”
Last edited by Sea-Diver; August 14th, 2010 at 06:39 PM.
Rapid's deployed by Long Beach FD to assist in World Record Jump
Rapid's deployed by Long Beach FD to assist in World Record Jump
This New Year's Eve, action sports icon Travis Pastrana will star in Red Bull: New Year. No Limits., live on ESPN. Travis will attempt to shatter the world record for distance jumping in a car at the Pine Street Pier in Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor.
Take a look at the Subaru Travis will be sending into the air on New Year's Eve. It's an impressive example of both ground and airborne vehicular performance.
And in the same way we've prepped the car to perform at it's absolute best, the Long Beach Fire Department is also preparing for anything to go wrong, including the possibility that Travis ends up in the water.
Rapid's deployed by Long Beach FD to assist in World Record Jump
Rapid's deployed by Long Beach FD to assist in World Record Jump
This New Year's Eve, action sports icon Travis Pastrana will star in Red Bull: New Year. No Limits., live on ESPN. Travis will attempt to shatter the world record for distance jumping in a car at the Pine Street Pier in Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor.
The Long Beach Fire Department is also preparing for anything to go wrong, including the possibility that Travis ends up in the water.
In case you missed us at DEMA 2010...We were showcasing the Next Gen Undersea War Fighter complete with RB module and belt mounted propulsion system (Jet Boots) directly across from the New Product Showcase (busy place)
The core of the NG-UWF is the already popular Rapid Diver system. The newest "Rapid" version conforms to a request for a Universal Dive and Universal Fit dive platform that can morph from a simple swimmers vest to a fully capable rebreather system.
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