January 2022

We have found over the years that the best rope/line for surface water rescue, ice, and dive operations to be 3/8 inch sterling water rescue rope. This rope has a kermantle sheath and a poly core that enables it to float. The kermantle sheath is very knot friendly. The length for dive operations is 150 feet marked at 5 foot and 25 foot intervals.yyy

For surf rescue, 3/8 inch polypropylene braided works well. 500 to 600 foot lengths. Keep the rope in a bag or rapid rope deployment bucket.

February 2022

Cylinder size for redundant air sources should be a minimum capacity pf 19 cubic feet for dive operations down to 60 feet, A 30 cubic foot capacity is called for when diving beyond 60 feet. Maximum dive depth limit for advanced trained PSD and recreational divers is 130 feet.

Twin cylinder set ups with ISO manifold valves are ideal for these deeper dives as well. 

March 2022

Full face masks are very beneficial for PSD operations. They limit contact with semi nasty water, have communication capability and are great in cold water operations. There has been an on going debate about whether they should be positive pressure or not. 

Our take on this is that if the mask burps you are going to get some degree of contamination into the facial area whether it is PP or not. If you are operating in water that is that hazardous you should be using a diving hemet, neck dam, hazmat type dry suit, and surface supplied air.

December 2022

Twin cylinder back mount configurations for Public safety Divers ?  We have found the Faber twin steel LP 50 cubic foot cylinders with an isolation manifold to be a very desirous tank set up.

Some of the pros are:

Gas volume 100 cu. ft. at 2640 psi, more then adequate for NDL operations. Low profile and very stable on divers back resulting in good horizontal trim. Redundant regulators with the ability to shut down one regulator while maintaining gas reserve. No concerns over what size and where to mount pony bottle set up. Tank set up is only 7 pounds heavier than a single 100 cu. ft. steel cylinder set up.

Cons:

Additional training for valve shut down drills. Not necessarily a bad thing.

Cost. At this time about $750 which is about $275.00 higher than a 100 steel with a 20 or 30 ft aluminum pony cylinder.