Missing Diver at Lake Pleasant

[Jax]

JAX - you're really toeing the line on this one. You are taking a small amount of information and blowing it into broad and general statements. MCSO Posse has at least one VERY capable, seasoned diver who is a trimix instructor, cave diver and firefighter. They will call him first.

If you are interested in doing something about this, you can contact the Posse, attend their meetings and learn as you go. To imply that a recreational diver can effectively advise SAR divers on how to improve their processes is ignorant, conceited and just plan dumb.

"It's better to keep quiet and have people assume you know nothing rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt..."

Oh, jeez Bill . . . I was referring to the entire western US under one IUCRR Regional Coordinator . . . did you look at the website? No one said anything about a recreational diver - please do not attribute your assumptions to me. For those of you that are expert consult to the sheriff, I apologize - I was speaking of IUCRR as a recognized agency.

Organizations like the IUCRR are very important in partnering with government organizations in times of emergency, at local, state, and federal levels. National policy covers a great deal of responses, but in all cases the authority is pushed as low as possible.

It would be wonderful to see an organization like the IUCRR be recognized partners of government along the same lines as is the National Ski Patrol. Sadly, the dwindling numbers of highly trained volunteers like Rob and others in his area translate to less support to divers and lack of recognition by the very Gov't forces that may need them.

 

[Cave Diver]

All others west of the Mississippi in one lump, huh? :scorned:

Of course, that's why Sheriff Joe doesn't have any smart guys advising him.

You may have missed the Cave part of the title of the IUCRR. I'd imagine that the resources are concentrated in the areas of greatest need.

 

[Jax]

You may have missed the Cave part of the title of the IUCRR. I'd imagine that the resources are concentrated in the areas of greatest need.

Good Point.

I remember in the east there were a lot of volunteer divers (edit - not necessarily cave) attached to the county SAR teams. There seemed to be a good solid program for them.

Yet, as Steve said earlier, Cochise County didn't have one at all up until a few years ago.

Is this purely a matter of diver density?

 

[Cave Diver]

Good Point.

I remember in the east there were a lot of volunteer divers attached to the county SAR teams. There seemed to be a good solid program for them.

Yet, as Steve said earlier, Cochise County didn't have one at all up until a few years ago.

Is this purely a matter of diver density?

I would think it's a matter of cave density. Florida has more than any other area in the US and thus, more cave divers. Doesn't make much sense to have a cave rescue and recovery group in an area without caves...

 

[Jax]

I would think it's a matter of cave density. Florida has more than any other area in the US and thus, more cave divers. Doesn't make much sense to have a cave rescue and recovery group in an area without caves...

Even without considering the cave rescue -

Stationed in GA, VA, DC, & PA, everything I met someone that was in a volunteer dive organization that assisted the county LE.

They just don't seem to exist in the West. Google searches bring up many eastern locations. Why might that be?

 

[Cave Diver]

Even without considering the cave rescue -

Why would you not consider cave rescue when talking about a group dedicated to cave rescue?

And I guess I'm being dense, but I don't understand why you would expect more IUCRR people in areas that don't have large amounts of caves.

 

[dbramley]

Channel 3 news reported this am on tv and confirmed via phone call the search has been suspended. Anyone know what will happen next? Comercial divers? Nothing?

 

[Jax]

Why would you not consider cave rescue when talking about a group dedicated to cave rescue?

And I guess I'm being dense, but I don't understand why you would expect more IUCRR people in areas that don't have large amounts of caves.

I have mis-stated, and I apologize. I would like to see more of a well-organized rescue organization, much like the IUCRR, in the Western States. It seems we have only 'catch-as-catch-can" volunteers from the few rescue people I've met. I use the IUCRR as an example but know only what I've seen on the website. It seems to be as well-organized as is the National Ski Patrol.

 

[Cave Diver]

That makes more sense.

 

[Jax]

Channel 3 news reported this am on tv and confirmed via phone call the search has been suspended. Anyone know what will happen next? Comercial divers? Nothing?

No kudos to Sheriff Joe for keeping the public informed, huh?