Scuba Steve - youre brother needs to take things one step at a time. Being a police officer is a career that he really needs to concentrate on first. Its hard enough actually becoming a police officer, nevermind already thinking about what assignments he might have. His goal should first be to get as much education he can to be the best police officer he can be. Then think about assignments. Just because someone is a sport diver, does not mean they have what it takes to be a PSD, but it is a start.
Police/Public Safety Diving Training??
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I couldnt agree more with this thread. I belong to Public safety dive team. I first got open water then advanced open water. It is not a requirement for our team. I am not in charge nor do I want to be. I have had many discussions with our leaders but it falls on deaf ears. I have since earned my rescue diver, and will be sitting for my divemaster after the first of the year. I have been picked on made fun of and even chastized for the DM choice but I dont care. I am a very comfortable diver because I have chosen to better myself. People ask me about joining the dive team my first reply is that you have to be very comfortable with your self and your abilities swift water, brail diving its different.You spend alot of time in your own head. I love diving with the team, I love even more the the sport of diving. thank you for the posts I appreciate all of you.
Perfect words TMI....there are so many in this segment of the dive community that just drink the Kool-Aid and believe the nonsense that comes down the pipes...the best divers make the best PS Divers.....it si not the other way around at all.
I would recommend that your brother start diving while in school. Serdin and theduckguru are dead on in the fact that your brother is going to have to prove himself as a police officer before hell be allowed into specialized units. Most teams also have a try out, that although you may be able to pass with being a confident diver, it would be extremely difficult. There are a lot of different methods and each of them has their pros and cons. Some departments start you off with OW and progress you through Master Diver before you make it to PSD, other require you to have minimal skills/certifications (but also make you go through OW to Master Diver again). The best advice for your brother is to start diving as soon as he can and focus on recreational diving, school, and then the academy. Thats more then enough to keep him busy for now.
I've taught a number of fire department divers. At least in our area, it seems that the fire department sends them off to a regular OW class and then supplements their training after they get their recreational OW card.
Also, all my fire department divers have come to class with equipment issued to them by the FD.
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_scuba_steve
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The simple answer is: Yes you need to be recreational scuba certified first.
So your brother is on the right track. It is just that it will not happen the day he gets out of the academy. There are some teams that still use the "Good Old Boy" or "You gotta pay your dues" test before considering new team members. Also he needs to be an officer first, the opportunity to dive will come later.
Why are folks chastising you on the DM choice?
Why chastised? Not sure jealousy? considered a waste of time, or resources? Many of our divers are paramedics. The only recreational diving they do is or have done is on resorts or cruises I guess they have have seen poor divemasters or have seen things done incorrectly by DM's. I have been told that it doesnt mean anything and that anybody can take and pass the DM. My reply was yes it is a class that anybody can take and that the individual gets out what he puts in. I am taking the DM for me! I also told them that I have seen some piss poor medics make it through the paramedic program so than maybe the program they took is also a waste of time? I dont believe so! Again its what you choose to get out of it... Sorry for taking up this post if I need to be moved then please feel free to move me just answering the question posed. Whatever you brother choses to do SCUBA Steve tell him to work hard to be the very best basic "whatever" and success will stem from that.
Why chastised? Not sure jealousy? considered a waste of time, or resources? Many of our divers are paramedics. The only recreational diving they do is or have done is on resorts or cruises I guess they have have seen poor divemasters or have seen things done incorrectly by DM's. I have been told that it doesnt mean anything and that anybody can take and pass the DM. My reply was yes it is a class that anybody can take and that the individual gets out what he puts in. I am taking the DM for me! I also told them that I have seen some piss poor medics make it through the paramedic program so than maybe the program they took is also a waste of time? I dont believe so! Again its what you choose to get out of it... Sorry for taking up this post if I need to be moved then please feel free to move me just answering the question posed. Whatever you brother choses to do SCUBA Steve tell him to work hard to be the very best basic "whatever" and success will stem from that.
I applaud TMI116 for his decision and would be glad to have him as part of any PSD team I am involved with. Those who actively continue in on-going education programs are those that are more likely to question things that don't seem, avoid situations that put others (including themself) at undue or unnecessary risk, and ultimately make the best divers overall.
Keep it up in the new year!
Keep it up in the new year!
Speaking from experience, most departments use a Volunteer type of Team. Either Civilan Divers, Officers who were previously Dive Qualfied (Military or Civilain), or a combination of both. The only Departments that I know of that have a Full Time Dive Unit, are LASO, NYPD, and I think Boston PD.
That being said, with today's economy, the chances of someone coming right out of the Academy and into a slot on a PSD Team, is nil. Your brother will have to put in his time being a Cop first. The specialized assignments come later. Why? Simple. The Department is spending a fortune on you. They want thier investment back.
Another thing to realize is some Departments simply do not have the resources (money or manpower) for a Team, or they are in an area where there is not really a use for one ( a Sheriff's Department in the Desert for example). If he really wants his career to head down this path, make sure he applies for an agency that has a Team already established.
That being said, with today's economy, the chances of someone coming right out of the Academy and into a slot on a PSD Team, is nil. Your brother will have to put in his time being a Cop first. The specialized assignments come later. Why? Simple. The Department is spending a fortune on you. They want thier investment back.
Another thing to realize is some Departments simply do not have the resources (money or manpower) for a Team, or they are in an area where there is not really a use for one ( a Sheriff's Department in the Desert for example). If he really wants his career to head down this path, make sure he applies for an agency that has a Team already established.
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