Day two started with us sort of running our training car into the lake.
The Tow Company dropped it off for us and a little while later we hooked it up behind a RAVE and pulled it 100’ into the lake. We did it at the same ramp we get all the fatal’s on Hayden Lake.
Then the drills started. I stayed with the car teaching rescue and recovery techniques. My #2 was just a few feet away in the swim area working with the rest of the team on basic skills in the 40df water.
The guys on the car learned quickly how fast you, as the diver, can get into trouble and FUBAR the operation.
Some mistakes were not trying the door before breaking glass. Using the spring-punch mid glass instead of in the corners. Running a hand along the body and frame instead of patting the area. Wearing a snorkel and having it hang up on the vehicle and a few other goodies.
During the rescue they didn’t know how many victims they were going to have until the first one came out I held up 1, 2 or three fingers. Then on the first trip to the surface they took the reg out to talk to topside people not realizing the surface may be covered in gas and oil. Then they had to make multiple trips choking on the oil.
Then we worked on the recovery of the vehicle. That was interesting as well. What we practiced on land didn’t work as well on the bottom.
Lunch. Again we broke tradition and refrained from the Mexican food and ate some less flatulent morsels.
Back at the lake we worked on blacked out on line search patterns with the FNG's. But what they didn’t know is #2 and I had some things up our sleeves.
Once we got the FNG’s doing proper line tension on the search pattern they started having some gear failures. Just some minor stuff like tank straps coming lose, entanglement issues and fins getting unhooked.
During one drill I saw a yellow fin come out of the murky water we had produced so I unhooked it. Then I saw a blue DUI spin around to replace it and re-hook. Hummmmm, The student was wearing a red DUI. My #2 is in blue, hehehe.
Good day, good weather and good drills. Now lets hope we don’t get called out to practice what they just learned.
Not to repeat what I did last month, my gear is already dried and re-packed, as it should be. I’m 100% ready to respond.
We shot digital stills and video which I don't have yet. I'll post some when they are in my hands.
Gary D.
The Tow Company dropped it off for us and a little while later we hooked it up behind a RAVE and pulled it 100’ into the lake. We did it at the same ramp we get all the fatal’s on Hayden Lake.
Then the drills started. I stayed with the car teaching rescue and recovery techniques. My #2 was just a few feet away in the swim area working with the rest of the team on basic skills in the 40df water.
The guys on the car learned quickly how fast you, as the diver, can get into trouble and FUBAR the operation.
Some mistakes were not trying the door before breaking glass. Using the spring-punch mid glass instead of in the corners. Running a hand along the body and frame instead of patting the area. Wearing a snorkel and having it hang up on the vehicle and a few other goodies.
During the rescue they didn’t know how many victims they were going to have until the first one came out I held up 1, 2 or three fingers. Then on the first trip to the surface they took the reg out to talk to topside people not realizing the surface may be covered in gas and oil. Then they had to make multiple trips choking on the oil.
Then we worked on the recovery of the vehicle. That was interesting as well. What we practiced on land didn’t work as well on the bottom.
Lunch. Again we broke tradition and refrained from the Mexican food and ate some less flatulent morsels.
Back at the lake we worked on blacked out on line search patterns with the FNG's. But what they didn’t know is #2 and I had some things up our sleeves.
Once we got the FNG’s doing proper line tension on the search pattern they started having some gear failures. Just some minor stuff like tank straps coming lose, entanglement issues and fins getting unhooked.
During one drill I saw a yellow fin come out of the murky water we had produced so I unhooked it. Then I saw a blue DUI spin around to replace it and re-hook. Hummmmm, The student was wearing a red DUI. My #2 is in blue, hehehe.
Good day, good weather and good drills. Now lets hope we don’t get called out to practice what they just learned.
Not to repeat what I did last month, my gear is already dried and re-packed, as it should be. I’m 100% ready to respond.
We shot digital stills and video which I don't have yet. I'll post some when they are in my hands.
Gary D.
