SARUE Team Keeping Saipan’s waters safe

The Department of Public Safety Fire Division saw the birth of a new breed of search and rescue experts Friday after the 11-member team successfully concluded a two-week intensive training on emergency response operations.

The training culminated at Obyan Beach last week with a four-course exercise participated in by the Search and Rescue Unit facilitated by DPS Boating Safety officer Abner Weed.

Team members were exposed to a combination of emergency scenarios in preparation for water crisis situations to include surface rescues and recoveries involving panic swimmers outside the reef and unconscious divers stuck in deep waters.

Rescuers were also trained to conduct recovery exercises with a kayak as aid, followed by the on-line search pattern routine.

“In this scenario, the purpose of them going on-line is that it gives them a real broad view, especially if for some reason, we lose a diver that we couldn’t find or has drowned, we can go look for them, through on-line search pattern.

“It will give them the opportunity to sweep through the entire part of the reef and if they find something, they would drop a buoy, and leave two people there to mark a spot. From there, they will contact the boat, which will also be involved in this search. The boat would come over, we’d send the divers down to recover the body,” Mr. Weed told reporters in the middle of rescue training held at the beach site over the weekend.

As an island entity surrounded with waters, Mr. Weed disclosed that all circumstances, whether it be individuals or families out for a recreation or outdoor activities, are potential hazardous situations may necessitate expert assistance.

“We actually had an unfortunate death that occurred here at Obyan Beach with a scuba diver about seven months ago. The dive rescue team, and boating safety responded to that. In preparation for such emergencies, we have conducted this training. And we will be employing a continuing education with the team,” he said.

According to the DPS officer, the team has exhibited excellent search and rescue skills during the past two weeks.

He also commended them for coming to the training well-prepared, after spending close to two months shaping up for the stringent physical exercises.

“They are doing very well considering the short amount of time that we had to train them,” Mr. Weed said.