DELAWARE STATE POLICE SCUBA TEAM
Sergeant Jeffrey A. Giles
During 2008, 29 dives were conducted along with four Scuba demonstrations. The Delaware State Police SCUBA Unit currently consists of twelve members. Sgt. Jeff Giles currently leads the team. Each member of the Scuba Team has graduated as a military scuba diver from the United States Army/Navy Dive School. The Dive Team sought new members in 2008 due to current and future retirements. Cpl. Andrew Slutsky and Tfc. Jeffrey Gliem have been selected as the next future divers. They are currently participating in water training sessions and will attend training at the U.S. Army/Navy Dive School in 2009.
In February, Colonel Mac Leish led the SCUBA Team out into the chilly Atlantic Ocean to assist the polar bears in their charity dive in Rehoboth Beach.
In April, the SCUBA Team responded to the Salt Pond area of Mainsail Drive in Bethany Beach in an attempt to retrieve evidence from a robbery case for Detectives at Troop 4. Tfc. Guarini located a black nylon (scream) ski mask in the pond. This proved to be a link to a prior robbery.
In June, the Wilmington Police requested the dive team to search the Brandywine River under 12th Street for a weapon used in a shooting. Cpl. Greene and Cpl. Grasmick recovered a chrome slide, barrel and handle to a 380 automatic handgun along with Jennings Firearms Co. 380 automatic handgun. All property was turned over to WPD.
In October, several members of the SCUBA Team were requested to assist the Aviation Unit in hoist training exercises in the Delaware Bay. Also in October the team was called out to assist the U.S. Coast Guard at the Port of Wilmington. The Coast Guard requested a security check of the mooring/docking area in reference to a secured shipment bound for Iraq. A night dive was conducted just prior to the arrival of the Coast Guard ship.
In November, the SCUBA Team responded to the Appoquinimink River to assist Troop 9 on a vehicle that had been driven into the river. The vehicle, a 1993 Buick regal was located in the middle of the channel. Cpl/3 Speed, Cpl/2 Fuscellero, Tfc. Guarini and Tfc. Terranova were able to hook up the vehicle in difficult surroundings.
The SCUBA Team was most honored to have CM 1 McDowell participate in their dive training. CM 1 McDowell pointed out the need for the dive team to have a (Oxygen Delivery System) on all dives in case of a medical emergency. Cpl. Grasmick and Cpl. Surowiec took the initiative to research an Oxygen Delivery System. The medical research concludes that the most effective way to save an unconscious diver’s life is by delivering 100% oxygen immediately. Both the civilian medical dive community as well as the U.S. Navy conducted studies and have concluded that the Oxygen Delivery System should be on hand for planned organized scuba dives. The revised U.S. Navy dive manual now points out the requirement for this system. With the assistance of Major Papili, the dive team was able to purchase two Oxygen Delivery Systems from DAN (Diver Alert Network), one for each dive van. Cpl. Surowiec instructed our dive team on its use and also wrote up an emergency safety sheet for each dive van. This sheet provides all the information necessary in the event of a dive emergency, including the nearest dive chambers for emergency personnel.
The SCUBA Team also received a three way communication system that connects to their Auga regulators. This equipment was provided through Homeland Security grant money. The equipment provides the tender and two divers to have open three way communication during a dive. Each communication line is 250’ in length. The team has tested the equipment and it has proved successful. During a callout at the Port of Wilmington the divers utilized the equipment. At the conclusion of the dive, all divers and the tender praised the results and felt it was very beneficial in regards to their safety.
Sgt. Jahn Hitchens announced his retirement in February 2008. The team congratulated him on his 25 years of service, and thanked him for his leadership and dedication.
The 2008 Delaware State SCUBA Unit is a true team. Each individual brings their own positive attributes and strengths to the team. The team is eager and enthusiastic for 2009.
- Information obtained from 2008 DSP
Annual Report -
