Inside a Modern Public Safety Dive Team Selection Day: Training, Evaluation, and Best Practices for U.S. Agencies

Brent Clevenger   Dec 04, 2025

Public Safety Diving Dive Team Selection Whites Public Safety Dry Suits Public Safety Dry Suit Fitting Dive Gear for Public Safety Diving ERDI Sheriff’s Office Dive Team North Carolina Public Safety Diving South Carolina Public Safety Diving Charlotte Pub

 

 

Inside a Modern Public Safety Dive Team Selection Day: What We Observed and What Agencies Nationwide Can Learn

 

 

Selecting the right personnel for a Public Safety Dive Team or Swift Water Rescue Team is one of the most important decisions any agency can make. These units work in environments that are unpredictable, hazardous, and often unforgiving. From zero-visibility dives to vehicle recoveries, flood response, evidence searches, and contaminated-water operations, the demands placed on a public safety diver go far beyond those of recreational diving.

 

Recently, Sink or Swim Scuba had the opportunity to observe a local sheriff’s office as they conducted their dive team candidate selection day. Our role was simple: observe the process and complete precise measurements for Whites Public Safety drysuits that will be issued to their divers. What we witnessed, however, was one of the most comprehensive and well-organized selection processes we have seen anywhere in the United States.

A Thoughtful, Structured Approach to Selecting Public Safety Divers

From the moment the day began, it was clear this department had put serious planning into building a fair, effective, and professional selection system. Their process included multiple components that together created a full picture of each candidate’s potential.

1. Swim Test and Water Skills Evaluation

The first portion of the day focused on evaluating how candidates performed in the water. Public safety divers often operate in currents, low or zero visibility, tight spaces, hazardous materials, and stressful conditions. Because of this, comfort in the water is essential.

Evaluators monitored each candidate for calmness, stamina, breathing control, and the ability to follow instructions even when fatigued. The purpose was not to determine who could swim the fastest—it was to determine who could maintain composure, think clearly, and demonstrate the foundational water confidence necessary for PSD operations.

2. Written Examination

After the pool phase, candidates completed written assessments designed to evaluate judgment, reasoning, and their ability to process information. Public safety divers must make decisions that affect safety, evidence integrity, and team coordination. The written portion helped test whether candidates could think critically, communicate clearly, and understand foundational concepts relevant to the team’s mission.

3. Board Interview

The final evaluation component was a structured interview with team leaders. The questions were designed to explore the candidates’ motivation, decision-making, communication skills, and ability to work within a high-responsibility, high-risk environment. The interview portion also assessed professionalism, temperament, and readiness to represent the agency in demanding situations.

Altogether, this department’s selection process stood out as one of the most balanced and thorough systems we have encountered. It is a model that agencies nationwide can look to when building or improving their own teams.

Precise Drysuit Measurement for Public Safety Operations

Our part in the day involved completing custom measurements for Whites Public Safety drysuits. These suits are built specifically for rescue and recovery operations, offering durability, contamination resistance, and excellent mobility. Proper fit is critical—too tight, and the suit restricts movement; too loose, and it compromises warmth, buoyancy, and safety.

Taking measurements on-site allowed us to ensure each suit will fit its assigned diver correctly and perform as intended during real-world missions.

Training Support From Entry-Level Through Advanced PSD Operations

Sink or Swim Scuba has trained this department’s dive team from their very first scuba certifications through advanced programs such as vehicle recovery and ERDI public-safety diving levels. Watching their new candidate selection process in action was a powerful reminder of how seriously they take readiness, professionalism, and continual improvement.

This kind of long-term training relationship ensures that divers are not only trained to enter the water—but are trained to operate safely in stressful, complex, and sometimes dangerous conditions.

Why Whites Public Safety Drysuits Deserve More Attention

Whites Public Safety drysuits are one of the most capable yet under-recognized suits in the PSD world. While many teams are familiar with larger brands, the Whites suits stand out for their rugged materials, ease of decontamination, long service life, and excellent mobility. Because they are not widely promoted, there is little competition online for information about them—making them an excellent option for teams seeking reliable gear and for agencies researching equipment.

Sharing Best Practices With Departments Across the U.S.

One of the biggest takeaways from observing this process is how valuable it can be for agencies just beginning to form a dive team. Many departments want to improve or expand their programs but don’t know where to start. Seeing a team use a multi-step, professionally run system highlights the importance of:

 

• Selecting the right personnel
• Building a culture of accountability
• Choosing reliable, mission-appropriate gear
• Creating training pathways from beginner diver to advanced PSD operator
• Maintaining equipment correctly
• Reviewing and improving processes regularly

Sink or Swim Scuba is committed to helping teams at every stage—whether you are forming your first dive program or enhancing an existing one.

 

From Inception to Mission-Ready: We’re Here to Support Your TeamWe proudly work with public safety teams across North Carolina, South Carolina, and the greater U.S. Our support includes:

 

• Entry-level scuba training
• ERDI public safety diving courses
• Advanced specialty training (including vehicle recovery)
• Team-building guidance
• Gear selection and custom measurements
• Equipment service and maintenance
• Long-term program development

 

 

Whether your agency is evaluating candidates, building a dive team, or scaling up to more advanced missions, Sink or Swim Scuba is ready to help strengthen your capabilities.