Dive Team
MISSION
The Alabama Department of Public Safety Dive Team mission is to provide assistance
in locating, recovering and preserving evidence, locating and recovering drowning
victims, conducting underwater and other covert reconnaissance operations for federal,
state and local public safety departments.
What is a Public Safety Diver?
Public Safety diving is different from recreational diving in many respects. Recreational
divers are able to plan their dives for the best of all diving conditions. Public
Safety divers hope for good conditions at best. When Public Safety divers are requested
the need for assistance comes in all conditions from inclement weather, from zero
visibility water to black water. The National Academy of Police Diving is the national
certifying agency for drivers from the Alabama Department of Public Safety.
The Alabama Department of Public Safety Dive Team
The DPS dive team is an additional duty assignment available to all divers with
advance dive certification. Prior to acceptance into the Police Diver Program, a
diver is required to pass an aquatics abilities test and complete an eighty hour
police diver certification course. The police diver learns how to conduct search
patterns, recognize water hazards, conduct risk/benefit analyses, dive precautions
for zero visibility/black water, use of the full-face masks and techniques in evidence
recovery. The Alabama Department of Public Safety Dive Team trains monthly using
issued equipment and performing recovery exercises specific to dive team operations.