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NEWS | July 17, 2014

Puerto Rico National Guard divers take training to new depths

By Sgt. Pablo Pantoja Puerto Rico National Guard

CAMP SANTIAGO MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Puerto Rico - Divers assigned to the 232nd Engineer Dive Detachment, 92nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), Puerto Rico National Guard, are in the midst of doing the wet work that could save their lives.

The training, which began July 5, ends Saturday at the Camp Santiago Maneuver Training Center.

During their practice, Spc. Cesar Rodriguez and Sgt. Carlos Ortiz, both qualified deep sea divers, were taught by Staff Sgt. Alvin Flores how to secure gear so it wouldn't loosen during harsh water currents.

"It's extremely important that we train like this," Ortiz said. "We practice taking hits underwater."

Hits, as commonly referred to by the divers, are simulated during practice by removing mask and fins, closing the air supply and spinning the Citizen-Soldiers to disorient them.

"Afterwards, we try to regain our bearings, put on our equipment and continue the mission," Ortiz said.

The training underwater is essential to the survival of the divers in case of an emergency in which an oxygen line may become loose due to objects in the water or harsh underwater currents. The divers must remain calm at all times, even if they face a lack of oxygen.

Buddy breathing is an emergency response technique in which two divers share the oxygen from one tank in order to make it to the surface alive.

"In case that your buddy for whatever reason loses oxygen, we begin the buddy-breathing protocol. You give a signal so that your partner understands that you have no air," Rodriguez said.

Once buddy breathing begins, the divers must make their way to the surface immediately due to the low supply of oxygen.

"You stand in front of each other and you have to exhale slowly while rising so that your lungs don't have an air embolism due to the pressure," Rodriguez said.

The training is very delicate due to the severe trauma that can be caused if it is not performed correctly, even while practicing.

"It's tough but I like it. It pushes you to limits you never thought were possible to reach," Rodriguez said.

The commander for the 232nd Engineer Dive Detachment, 1st Lt. Josie Avilés, hopes that the unit can remain operational and more Soldiers can train as divers.

"There's only two Engineer Dive Detachments in the entire United States, and we are one of them," Avilés said.The other dive unit is the Texas Army National Guard's 627th Heavy Dive Team.

"Last year we went to North Dakota and helped search for a vehicle in Devil's Lake with a state search-and-rescue unit under a 50-degree temperature," said Sgt. Oscar Lopez, the Supply Sergeant for the dive detachment, who is also a professional diver as a civilian.

An engineer diver's job is to inspect and clean watercraft propellers and hulls, patch damaged watercraft hulls, salvage sunken equipment, patrol the waters, assist with underwater construction of piers and harbor facilities, and to survey rivers, beaches and harbors for underwater obstacles.

 

 

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