Dive team trains in Tacoma waters
A Pierce County dive team tasked with rescues and searches in local waterways spent six hours Friday training in Tacoma and educating the public on what it does.
The Metro Dive Team is comprised of 12 members from the Sheriff’s Department and Tacoma police.
Their job is to recover or rescue victims from lakes, rivers or Puget Sound, and occasionally collect evidence from the water, sheriff’s detective Brent Van Dyke said.
On Friday, the members took turns testing water equipment at Les Davis Pier along the Ruston Way waterfront and speaking with citizens about water safety.
The team trains about twice a month.
Tacoma police officer Brian Hudspeth said he spent about 30 minutes in the water and dove to a depth of 81 feet.
“If we’re not comfortable with trusting our compass for navigation, then when the actual real-world incident occurs, we’re not as effective,” he said.
Stacia Glenn: 253-597-8653
This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Dive team trains in Tacoma waters."