Regina Fire dive team working on underwater recovery skills
A team of Regina firefighters is taking a deep dive into training this week, as they work towards underwater recovery certification.
Regina Fire and Protective Services members were at Lovering Lake practicing their skills during a training session Thursday.
Since January, a team of 12 firefighters has been training to receive deep water underwater recovery certification. Saskatoon Fire has been the acting dive team while the team has been training, but the service hasn’t been needed.
Previously, the Regina Police Service was responsible for the recovery dive team, but three years ago it was decided Regina Fire would take over.
“If there's any request that comes through, Regina, police or surrounding area. We would now be the agency that would be involved for the below surface recovery of any evidence or anybody,” Neil Sundeen, the Deputy Fire Chief, said.
Conditions were ideal for diving on Thursday, but the team said that’s typically not the case.
“Last week, we were diving at Katepwa, and as soon as you were more than eight feet under the water is kind of black as midnight down there. We'll be moving to different lakes and different environments, just to get the guys trained in those low vis situations because as public safety divers, we don't really get to choose our dive sites,” Luke Sitter, the dive instructor for the underwater recovery team said.
The training is meant to give the divers a taste of some of the challenges they may face in real emergency situations.
The team is hopeful they will be fully qualified by October, but they’ll need to certify during the winter in order to perform ice dives.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
New analysis of Beethoven's hair reveals possible cause of mysterious ailments, scientists say
High levels of lead detected in authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair suggest that the composer had lead poisoning, which may have contributed to ailments he endured over the course of his life, including deafness, according to new research.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.