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[BladesRobinson]

Friends, I hate to "advertise" online so I have answered this question "offlist." I mention this only because I didn't want you to think I have left LIMBO in ... (can I say it?) ...

LIMBO, I hope you envoy the additional Teather material.

Blades

 

[Gary D.]

IMHO the PSD section is not a standard diving area where advertising is not a cool thing to do.

I don’t think the information about these publications and how to obtain them would be advertising as a reg, BC or a trip sale would be.

We are in a dangerous business. It has been proven over the years that world wide communications between PSD’s has made our business much more efficient and safer. I think you need to just post how to obtain them and the cost. I don’t care if DRI makes the sale or not.

Here we go with the Risk VS Benefit thing again. Take the risk and post the info. It’s got a much higher benefit.

If you guys disagree that’s fine but these cover important issues.

Gary D.

 

[limbo]

Blades thanks for the PM, replied already.

Fully agree with Gary D. though. IMHO it's important that the information where to obtain this material is widely available (although I'm not familiar with competition who offers the mentioned materials, which may clarify your point)

 

[BladesRobinson]

Thank you all for understanding. To the best of my knowledge, most of the previously referenced items are offered through Dive Rescue International. Some items may be exclusive to the International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists (since Bob was a member and strong supporter). With regrets, I have never done the research to know the answer to that one, and the really smart folks who work at the office are home for the weekend.

Best Publishing can be a source too as they were the publisher for the Encyclopedia of Underwater Investigations.

To the best of my knowledge, I do not believe our PSD "training partners" (ERDI, IANTD, LGS, PSDA ... and others) offer these books for sale but if they do, I would welcome the online "reply" so we can all learn.

Regards,

Blades

 

[fairybasslet]

My son was talking about entering this field last night. He's 18, graduated high school last June, went to community college for almost 1 semester, but decided college wasn't for him at this time. He is a very active person and just can't see himself at a desk job. He has his EMT-B cert and wants to continue in that field. Thanks for all of these resources that I can direct him to.

Any other advice?

 

[tc]

Pick up one or more of the books and have him read through them

Most of the PSD's in the US don't do that as their primary job function, Some are volunteer, some are law enforcement and some are firefighters. Nearly all do it as an ancillary duty to their main jobs. He will need to check in the area(s) he wants to work and see who provides the service, then see if he wants to get into that field.

 

[Gary D.]

My son was talking about entering this field last night. He's 18, graduated high school last June, went to community college for almost 1 semester, but decided college wasn't for him at this time. He is a very active person and just can't see himself at a desk job. He has his EMT-B cert and wants to continue in that field. Thanks for all of these resources that I can direct him to.

Any other advice?

Have him read this. Then read it again.
What is a Public Safety Diver?
Print it out and post it on a wall so he can see it every day.

He’s young and this business can either make him stronger or destroy him. As an EMT he may be getting exposed to everything from a minor paper cut to mass causality but nothing, and I mean nothing can prepare him for what he may run into under the surface.

There may be recoveries that need the small aquarium fish nets to sift all the body pieces out of the silt. There may be a time a body is found that looks very good and somewhat fresh but when you grab an arm it comes off in your hands and the rest implodes. These two are extremes but they DO happen. How it wears on the divers is different from one to another but this could be kids and they take a much larger toll.

I know dozens of prior team members, some I still work with, that have had one or several operations that they could not get out of their mind. As a result they not only quit the team but have quit diving as well.

There are three on my team now, including myself that have made multiple recoveries and rescues over the years. We are very fortunate that we are able to let go and get on with our lives. The others have come and after a while gone by the wayside because the diving part of the job keeps eating at them.

I’m not trying to discourage you or him from doing this. BUT you need to know the real non sugar coated truth about this job in order to be successful at it. Going in unprepared and not knowing what to expect can ruin a career before it ever gets started.

Ask as many questions as you want no matter how trivial you think it may be. We’ll all be here to get him going in the right direction. Or at least try.

Gary D.

 

[fairybasslet]

Thanks for that article Gary. Surprisingly, so far, as an EMT, he has responded pretty well to some of his calls. One call was a rescue of some victims of a fire. He gave one woman CPR all the way to the hospital but she DOA. I asked him if he was bothered by it at all and he honestly wasn't. Our neighbor upstairs broke her hip and was lying on the floor for a few hours before I heard her. She fell at around 3 am and I didn't wake up until 6:30 am and that's when I heard her calling for help, very faintly. We got upstairs and the EMTs took her away. I was shaken up all day but he went back to sleep.

 

[Gary D.]

It sounds like he’s doing very well. But one of the many problems underwater that even the best medical people can have trouble with is a victim that has been dead for months just might be looking you right in the eye when you get there. They might even be smiling and waving as you arrive.

It is a real un-nerving feeling when a dead person looks so alive. It’s one thing to see a horror movie where the dead are walking around. It is totally another thing when you come face to face with them.

Some times you may want to wait to remove your suit so nobody knows what you did in it.

Just trying to eliminate any surprises and there are plenty in this field.

Gary D.

 

[fairybasslet]

Thanks Gary. I printed out what you gave me yesterday and gave it to him. He did some internet searches after I went to bed so I'm wondering what he found out.