Clark County SAR Training – Mastering the Lift

Mastering the Lift: SAR Training (Search and Recovery) & Buoyancy Training

Date: Saturday, May 16th

Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Speelyai Bay Park, Ariel, WA

Cost: Free (Excluding $4 park entry fee)

Unlock a Rare and Critical Diving Skill

Whether you are looking to master the precision of technical diving or understand the high-stakes environment of Search and Recovery (SAR), proficiency with a lift bag is a fundamental skill rarely taught in standard curricula.

On Saturday, May 16th, join us at Speelyai Bay Park for a comprehensive workshop dedicated to the art and science of underwater lift bags and large Delayed Surface Marker Buoys (DSMBs). While this session is conducted primarily for the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Search and Recovery (CCSOSAR) Dive Team, we are opening participation to certified divers in our community who wish to sharpen their technical proficiency.

What You Will Learn

This workshop bridges the gap between recreational diving and professional recovery tactics. We will cover:

• The Mechanics of Lift: Safely rigging and moving submerged objects or evidence.
• Redundant Buoyancy: Using a lift bag or DSMB as a critical backup in the event of a primary BCD failure.
• Professional SAR Tactics: Insights into how teams manage victim and evidence recovery.
• Deployment Mastery: Practice individual and team-based deployments to manage larger, more complex lifts.

Expert-Led Instruction

The session is led by an ERDI Instructor Trainer with 30 years of medical experience and a history in public safety diving. Having conducted Emergency Response Diver training for both the Multnomah County and Clark County Sheriff’s Offices, your instructor provides training rooted in real-world recovery operations and rigorous safety standards.

Prerequisites & Safety

Because this is an active lake with boat traffic and specialized tasks, participants should meet the following criteria:

• Experience: Divers should have a solid foundation in buoyancy control and feel comfortable maintaining trim while performing tasks.
• Thermal Protection: Water temperatures at Speelyai can reach as low as 48°F, though they typically range between 50–55°F this time of year. Dry suits with appropriate thermal undergarments are highly recommended for comfort during these relatively static skills. A farmer John/Jane wetsuit with 14mm double core, or 7mm semi-dry suit could be acceptable alternatives: you will be chilly, but not frozen!
• Hydration: We emphasize hydration as a best practice for all divers; please bring plenty of water and a lunch/snack.

Logistics & Gear

We will begin the morning with a Land Drill and Safety Briefing at the park tables before entering the water. This allows us to master rigging and venting mechanics before dealing with the thermal and buoyancy variables of the lake.

• Gear: Bring your full SCUBA kit. Bringing your own lift bags (50lb+ recommended) or large DSMBs and dedicated reels/spools is highly encouraged, though not required.
• Waivers: All participants (excluding active SAR members) must sign a participation waiver for Spartan SCUBA. Please complete the fillable PDF here: ERDi General Liability Waiver – Lift Bagging. Instructor is “Dr. Eric Strand #28748”; facility is “Spartan SCUBA”; training agency is “ERDI”.
• Shore Access: We will be staged at the park tables, which offer excellent shore access to the dive site.

Checklist for the Day:

• [ ] Certification Card
• [ ] Full SCUBA kit (Weights and tanks included)
• [ ] Lift Bag/DSMB & Reel (If owned)
• [ ] Signed Spartan SCUBA Waiver
• [ ] $4 Park Entry Fee
• [ ] Lunch and Water

This is the only time this course will be offered this year. To confirm your attendance, please register below to confirm participation. We look forward to seeing you at the water’s edge at 9:00 AM!

Please note: this is a non-certification course. It is part of ERDI training at Diver 1 and 2 levels, and is more advanced than what is taught in Sport or Technical Recreational SCUBA diving.