How Is the Cape Ann Dive Team Unique from other Dive Teams and better qualified than an informal group of recreational divers who wish to attempt rescue work? 

1.  Shall either be an E.M.T. or shall become an E.M.T. within one year of becoming a member of the Cape Ann Regional Dive Team. If possible, members are encouraged to avail themselves of Paramedic training.

2. Must pass a complete physical and submit doctors report to Captain Schlichte prior to any diving.

3. Must pass a divers swim test to be administered first night of diver training. This test is a standard test to be administered and supervised by Undersea Divers of Beverly. 

4. No personal gear is to be allowed. Through the use of standardized gear and the prohibition of personal gear we can   ensure proper maintenance and familiarity as well as have our equipment insured through the City of Gloucester.

5. All personnel who are to be trained as divers shall pay the cost of their initial training including open water textbook and PADI materials themselves. This cost will be $350.00. This shall also be paid directly to Undersea Divers and a receipt submitted to Capt Schlichte. Upon completion of a two year commitment to the Dive Team this $350.00 shall be returned in full to the diver along with the cost of the above mask. If a diver is unable to complete the above training because of health problems, unexpected family hardships, or other valid reasons the diver candidate will be allowed to reschedule the training to a later date. Withdrawal from the team for any reason before the diver’s pledged commitment of two years                             is completed will not result in a refund.       

6. All trained divers shall be expected to commit to the dive team for a minimum of  two years upon completion of training. This time frame to start upon completion of P.A.D.I. Rescue Diver certification. Again, premature departure without cause   shall negate the reimbursement of the $350.00 training costs.

7. All team members shall make a minimum of 10 of the 12 monthly dives. The monthly dives shall usually be the last Wednesday of the month with additional non-mandatory dives only scheduled after team leader approval. Members shall also participate in non-diving training and activities such as  vehicle maintenance, emergency medical training and other areas as deemed  necessary by the dive team leaders. Failure to make 75% of scheduled training will result in dismissal from the team with forfeiture of training costs.

8. All team members shall share in equipment checks and regularly scheduled  testing and maintenance on a scheduled basis.

9. All members shall carry an alphanumeric pager at all times at their own expense.

10. All members selected to attend diver training shall attend all sessions in their entirety. All members are required to make their own arrangements to provide the necessary coverage at the Gloucester Fire or Police Departments in order to attend      this training. Non Gloucester employees shall also be expected to attend all training sessions in their entirety.

 11. Members not selected to attend the first dive class who hope to attend the second  or subsequent classes should expect to participate in team startup and support  functions prior to selection as a team diver. All  future personnel who wish to become divers shall start out as support personnel (non-diving) and all future dive openings shall be filled by the most qualified individual from amongst these support personnel.

 12. The first 20 selections of dive personnel shall be made entirely by the Dive Team  Leader. All reasons shall remain undisclosed except to the specific individual and  any member not selected shall be given every opportunity to reapply. After the initial 20 selections all future selections shall be made by a panel of five with a simple majority rule. This panel shall consist of  the Team Leader, Lead Divers and the senior most diver.

 13. The total number of divers, reserve divers and support personnel shall be capped  at twenty  persons.

To be considered a Public Safety Diver Level 1 available for entry level emergency work the following diver requirements and  training modules must be completed in full:

            1. Signed diver participation sheet
            2. Copy and date of doctors physical (to be renewed annually)
            3. Passed initial divers swim test
            4. Passed PADI Basic Open Water
            5. Passed PADI Advanced Open Water
            6. Passed PADI Medic First Aid
            7. Passed PADI Rescue Diver
            8. Passed PADI Dry Suit Diver
            9. Must be an EMT within one year of  Level 1 certification

At this point these divers shall be qualified for self rescue and dive partner assist rescue, rescue of third party diver in trouble, surface rescue of diver/swimmer in trouble and vehicle /item recovery with no persons trapped and water depth not to exceed 130 feet.

Before being considered as a Public Safety Diver Level 2 capable of performing  in more advanced water emergencies candidates must receive certification in the  following areas from a nationally recognized trainer of public safety divers.

            1.         Below Ice Rescue
            2.         Rapid Deployment Search and Rescue
            3.         Deep Water Recovery
            4.         Wreck Diver
            5.         Crime Scene Evidence Recovery
            6.         Persons trapped in Vehicle Rescue
            7.         Limited Visibility or Night Diving
            8.         Waterfront Diver/Firefighter  (the fighting of wharf fires from underneath)
            9.         Helicopter Operations

Upon completion of all above modules candidates shall be encouraged to progress  further in training to achieve Divemaster, Dive Instructor and advanced Rescue qualifications.

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