Dive Team Recruitment



The LAFD Dive Search and Rescue Team will be providing certification training for the position of Firefighter/Diver in the near future.  Members successfully completing the certification training will be placed on an eligible list by seniority for appointment to Firefighter/Diver.  It is a priority to identify future participants who will be assets to the program in any and all capacities. 

The Dive Program Coordinators are in the process of developing a database of LAFD members who are interested in becoming an LAFD Public Safety Diver. We want to know who you are, what qualification you have and what your interest level is. 

We ask you to please fill out the simple questionnaire provided and submit it for the database. A link to the questionnaire is provided below.

Once a database is established, organized training opportunities will be provided to prepare interested members and provide Public Safety Dive certifications and organize training dives.  Members wishing to stay on the eligible list must maintain their annual dive requirements.

If you have any questions regarding the process please email them to lafddiveteam@gmail.com

Thanks for your interest

Watermanship Performance Standard

Public Safety Dive Rescue has a performance benchmark that defines diver fitness, comfort, and therefore operational competency. The International Association of Dive Rescue Specialist (IADRS) Watermanship Test was developed and is part of the NFPA 1670 Standard. This test represents a physical fitness test that is “task based”. There is a direct relationship between cardiovascular fitness, comfort in the water, and overall diver operational safety. Fatigue is a proven trigger of panic, and panic can cause injury or death during a dive.

The LAFD Dive Search and Rescue Team has adopted this as the minimum watermanship skills evaluation.

In addition to IADRS performance evaluation, team members will be expected to complete a 1000 yard open water swim.
IADRS/NFPA 1670 Watermanship Test/Skills Test
The watermanship portion of this test consists of five (5) stamina exercises conducted in a pool- 500 yard swim, 15 minute tread, 800 yard snorkel swim, 100 yard inert diver tow, and a free dive. Successful completion of this test requires a minimum of 12 points of a 20 point scale. The skills portion of this test consists of equipment handling and setup, scuba diving skills, and equipment care and storage.

Evaluation Parameters
There are five exercises that evaluate stamina and comfort in the water, each rated by points. The member must successfully complete all stations and score a minimum of 12 points to pass the test.

 Links:

 The Science Behind the IADRS / NFPA Watermanship Annual Test

Dive Team Management


Effective February 1, 2013, the management of the Dive Search and Rescue Team has been revised.  The new management system ensures that rules and regulations established by Los Angeles Fire Department, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and U.S. Navy (USN), as well as those established by other state and local government agencies are followed and adhered to. 


A Dive Safety Board has been implemented to oversee the dive program. The purpose of the Dive Safety Board is to ensure the highest level of safety for the LAFD dive  program specifically to provide administrative, operational, safety guidance, and oversight to conduct all dive operations in a uniform manner. 

The immediate action items for the Dive Safety Board include:
  • Update and implement dive safety standards and procedures 
  • Issuance of new equipment and associated mandated training
  • Audit and update of required training and documentation
  • The creation of a Dive Safety Manual
This management system centers around team participation and is designed to be inclusive and have transparency.  All team members are stakeholders and encouraged to take responsibility in the successful implementation of this management system.  Additionally, all dive team decisions will be based on credible and acknowledged sources and based on established dive industry standards and procedures. 

Safety is of primary importance in all of dive operations.  It is expected that LAFD divers follow public safety dive practices and standards that are established by the NFPA, OSHA and LAFD.  Furthermore, each diver shall use good operational judgment, use well-maintained equipment, and have a professional attitude in the execution of their duties.

The Dive Safety Board will ensure that each member possesses the necessary equipment and training to carry out their duties in a safe and efficient manner.
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