SWAT

SWAT teams are not limited to working in urban environments. Some departments, especially those near the coast and those having lakes within their jurisdiction, practice waterborne tactics. Waterfront properties, marinas, and boats are just a few of the places that SWAT operates.

An example mission where SWAT may utilize waterborne operations would to send divers into a marina to scout for a team that is taking down a known drug-running boat. Divers can provide support for these types of operations by scouting the target, setting up surveillance operations, or pre-positioning for warrant service. As part of Law Enforcement Diving, SWAT may also be called upon for underwater searches, rescues, and other operations requiring their specialized training.

EQUIPMENT

Waterborne operations call for specialized equipment. An example of what a SWAT diver would carry includes:

Dive Gear

• Wetsuit - worn for thermal protection. Even in warm water, the body can get chilled. A BDU shirt can be worn over the wetsuit if needed.
• Navigation Board and Slate - A navigation board is necessary, especially in limited visibility environments.
• Fins, BCD, regulator with octopus and gauge console, weight belt, gloves, mask and boots.
• Underwater Lights - one flashlight and one headlight for limited visibility or nighttime operations.
• Dive knife - with blunt tip
• Emergency Strobe Light
• Two Cyalume Lightsticks
• Emergency Bouy
• 50' Paracord
• Tape Measure Thread
• Waterproof Bags - for carrying needed equipment for particular missions. Examples include cameras and spotting scopes for a surveillance operation.

Equipment

• Load Bearing Equipment - since it is not practical to wear a modular load bearing vest under a BCD, some SWAT officers use military load bearing harnesses underneath their BCD. Harnesses are useful because the may be configured to carry needed weapons, ammunition and equipment, but hang low around the waist, out of the way of the BCD.
• Body Armor - without the heavy modular vest, SWAT divers may utilize standard soft body armor underneath the BCD and harness.
• Rope - 25 feet of nylon rope for securing gear and running search patterns.
• "Buddy-strap" - 8 foot nylon strap for limited visibility and night operations.
• Snap-links - 3 snap links, handy for securing a ditched BCD and other equipment.
• Canteen or Camelback - dehydration can occur in waterborne operations, especially during the summer months.
• Small spotting scope (if applicable).
• Additionally, a wide range of underwater communications gear can be used to keep divers in touch with surface operations.

• Sidearm - in nylon thigh-holster secured with weapon retention cord.
• Long Gun - Often not carried by SWAT divers, but if so, carried with a mud-plug.