Members with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team ventured out to Pleasant Hill Lake Thursday to brush up on their diving skills and demonstrate proper diving maneuvers to those in training.
Capt. Jimmy Sweat, Sgt. Steve Boyd, Sgt. Brian Gunder, and Community Policing Deputy Gary Kiener each suited up and hopped into the roughly 70-degree water, while trainees Deputy Jeff Winbigler and Corrections Officer Jeremy Howard watched how they performed different drills. Both Winbigler and Howard have a few weeks left of training before they can become certified divers.
The dive team is currently comprised of six people. Sweat said he’d like to see that number increase by two.
When explaining the significance of the dive team, Sheriff Steve Sheldon noted that Richland County is populated with several bodies of water; thus, it is good to be prepared in the case an incident occurring near or within a body of water.
He said the team has been used oftentimes to search for evidence. The team has also helped rescue flood victims, he said.
“I’m very thankful that we have a dive team,” Sheldon said. The Shelby Fire Department also has a dive team in Richland County.
Former Capt. Dan Miller was credited for helping start Richland County’s dive team in the early 1980s.
Before people can begin diving, they must first participate in a five-week training course. Winbigler, who is currently undergoing training, said that part of the training is conducted in a classroom setting, but much of it is held at a pool. “Our instructor likes for [the training] to be very hands-on,” Winbigler said.
During their first session, he said the trainees had to swim 200 yards, tread water for 15 minutes, and practice some snorkeling techniques, in addition to studying coursework material in the classroom. After they complete their training, the trainees take an open water test.
Thursday, both Winbigler and Howard got to witness some of the open water search patterns that were conducted by the Sweat, Kiener, Boyd, and Gunder.
“Everyone starts with open water training,” Kiener said. “That’s a basic level.”
Having been a diver for the past 27 years, Kiener has had the opportunity to practice many diving techniques. He said it’s good to have divers who are versed in swift-water training, given previous flooding incidents throughout the area.
“You’ve got to be comfortable enough to be in the water and not panic,” he advised.
Typically, people dive in pairs and at least one person remains within the boat to help provide assistance. While Gunder and Boyd hopped into the water, Kiener manned the radio and explained how the team uses the radio system to communicate to divers.
He also noted that the team relies on rope as another form of communication. A certain number of tugs on the rope has different meanings, he explained.
In addition to Pleasant Hill, the team also practices at Charles Mill Lake, the Friendly House pool, and Malabar Intermediate School’s pool.
Sweat said training ideally runs year-round, with a practice diving session held at least once a month.
