Gallatin County Tactical Dive Team
History and Applicant Information
Diving related activities can arguably trace their origins back to ancient times. As far as recreational and public safety diving are concerned, several dates are of interest.
1954: First Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (S.C.U.B.A.) certification course in the USA is offered in Los Angeles.
1956: US Navy publishes tables that allow for repetitive diving.
1959: National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) is started.
1966: Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is started. The Gallatin County Tactical Dive Team is a volunteer Search and Rescue entity within Gallatin County, Montana. Gallatin County has diverse water conditions that include small streams, major rivers, lakes, reservoirs, heavily used water recreation areas and urban water areas. There is currently no information available on training or skill sets. On 21June1965 a brother, 24 years of age, and his sister, seven years of age, drowned when their homemade kayak capsized in Hyalite Lake. On 22 June, Fred W. Klindt and three other WRU Divers were attempting to retrieve the bodies using a “buddy line “and a 50’ by 75’triangular search pattern partially made up of ropes. Immediately after starting the descent, one member of the Team experienced ear problems and had to return to the surface. Mr. Klindt and his partner continued with the mission and at some point during the descent Mr. Klindt became entangled in the lines and drown. This tragic story should be a reminder to all that Public Safety Diving is a serious business and never to be taken lightly. Primary Dive Team responsibilities are the Rescue and Recovery of persons utilizing S.C.U.B.A. gear with a secondary S.C.U.B.A. mission of evidence detection and retrieval. The Dive Team has grown in both numbers and skill sets over the past few decades. This work is not glamorous and takes hard work performed by dedicated volunteers. We may be called for a child or a boat load of people who have drowned or recover a vehicle that was driven into a lake. The professional application of skills and techniques as well as maintenance of safety standards is mandatory in the performance of all missions. The Team is also tasked with assisting all other Search and Rescue Teams and the Sheriff’s Posse which was created in the aftermath of the 1959 Earthquake. Our assistance to the Posse includes swift water surface rescues and recoveries along with a variety of other search and rescue operations on an as needed basis. In support of the Posse, we may be requested to assist with vehicles in a river, lost hunters, or any number of other calls. All members receive training in subjects such as first aid, communications, swift water bag throwing, diver line tending and a variety of S.C.U.B.A. diving related tasks. The costs for some of these courses are paid for but being a volunteer organization Team Members cannot rely on funding being available for necessary training. As a volunteer agency we must train a lot and in a variety of topics in order to maintain a high level of proficiency. There are no scheduled hours on search and rescue missions. The calls come in at any time and may last from a few hours to a few days. Every volunteer must be prepared for long hours, sometimes overnight in a variety of conditions. Personnel assigned must work as a team and under the direction of the Incident Commander and team leaders. Here are the basics of what you need to know to become a member of the Gallatin County Tactical Dive Team.The process is as follows:
- A form needs to be filled out so a Criminal History Check can be completed.
- Attend 3 consecutive meetings / trainings, this allows you the chance to learn about the Dive Team and for us to meet you.
- Be given an application, to be filled out so an in depth background check can be completed. All information needed for the Dive Team Callout Roster needs to be provided with the return of the Application.
- Interview with a panel of 2-4 Dive Team Executive Board Members or designees, to be set up after the background check is passed. The background process may take up to nine months. After the above steps are completed, you are deemed a Probationary Candidate. Candidates are allowed to go on calls if they meet the following requirements:
- Posse Pack Test: “M” Test is a walking test to the “M” with a 15 lb pack and return in under 45 minutes. Dive Team Swim Capability Pool Evaluation
- Tread Water, two minutes
- 100 meter swim, any stroke
- Ten pound weight retrieval
- Throw Bag
- Knowledge / Skills Test: Knots, SAR equipment, etc.
- Ready-Pack (PFD and gear to survive for 24 hrs)
Candidates who have not met all these requirements may attend all training but should not attend callouts unless needed by the Incident Commander. The probationary period will follow guidelines set in The Gallatin County Tactical Dive
Team Search and Recovery Unit Regulations and Operating Procedure manual. If, at the end of the probationary period the candidate has met all requirements, they are deemed a Member of the Dive Team. Once a Member of the Team, when a call comes in, the Sheriff’s Office will have the Dive Team notified or “called out” via phone, pager and / or text. An Incident Commander is assigned and directs response of the members to assemble teams and send them where needed. It must be noted that it is the responsibility of each Team Member to be kept informed of overall Team activities, operating procedures, training announcements and updates. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Executive Board. Thanks for your interest!
