The Dive Team consists of ten Sheriff’s Deputies and one Sergeant who have been selected because of their interest and abilities. Team members are sent to several professional and public safety training courses in order to conduct water rescues and perform recovery operations utilizing the latest technology and equipment. The Dive team executes underwater searches for the recovery of evidence, swift-water rescue, high-angle/cliff operations, and is responsible for the recovery of drowning victims.
Divers are called upon to perform these tasks in the many diverse water environments that exist in El Dorado County. From the deep, cold waters of Lake Tahoe and the abundant high-country lakes of the Sierras, to the surging waters of the Consumnes and American Rivers. In addition to these varied environments, the Dive Team routinely responds throughout the state to assist other agencies and departments through the California Office of Emergency Services Law Enforcement Mutual Aid System.
The Dive Team utilizes both SCUBA gear and surface-supplied breathing equipment. The team also has a remotely-operated submersible vehicle, underwater lifting equipment, inflatable boats and a multitude of rope and mountaineering gear.
In 2019, the Dive Team performed several missions throughout the year. In April, they assisted with the search for a male who was reported missing one evening after riding a jetski without a life jacket. Despite several underwater searches utilizing divers and sidescan sonar, he was not recovered until a few weeks later.
In June, a male entered the water above the Chili Bar Bridge without a life jacket and was last seen below the bridge where he submerged and did not resurface. Efforts to locate the subject included drone surveillance by the UAS Team and the Dive Team utilized swimmers and rafts. The victim was not located and remains missing.
Later that month, witnesses reported a 16-year-old male disappeared under the water near a small rapid in the Consumnes River near the Highway 49 bridge. CalFire and Diamond Springs
Fire swift water teams and CHP-H20 also assisted in the search. Ultimately, the male was located deceased under the water by the divers.
Later in the summer, the Dive Team was requested to recover submerged human remains located by a citizen who was walking along the American River near Lotus Park. Upon recovery, Coroner’s Detectives determined that the bones belonged to an early indigenous person and released them to the appropriate authority.
On November 28, 2019, Sheriff’s personnel responded to a report of a possible drowning at Lake Baron in Meyers. It was believed a person fell through the ice while walking their dogs. The Dive Team, along with the Douglas County Sheriff's Boat Team, Lake Valley Fire, South Lake Tahoe Fire, and Search and Rescue, continued to search the lake the following day. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office utilized their advanced Remotely Operated Vehicle and located the deceased male under the ice. The Dive Team then recovered the male from the lake.
Dive Team
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