STTU Diving & Maritime training programs are custom designed to meet the operational and training needs of the host team or agency. Training can range from a one or two day lecture program to more comprehensive and demanding multi day training packages.
All STTU Diving & Maritime packages are taught by instructors carefully selected for their exceptional training and expertise in the particular subjects being taught – most having extensive prior military and/or diving experience.
Owing to the diverse needs of various teams and the differences between law enforcement and military operations, STTU diving and maritime programs are divided into four primary categories:
1. SRT & Public Safety Diving Operations
2. Combat Swimmer Development
3. Diving Equipment Test & Evaluation
4. Maritime Anti-Piracy & Counter Hijacking
5. Homeland Maritime Security & VBSS
SRT DIVER TRAINING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TEAMS
STTU was one of the first advisory groups to offer advanced search and recovery training to law enforcement public safety divers and has been instrumental in developing the guidelines used by many groups.
In 1989 Mark Lonsdale wrote and published SRT DIVER as a basic guide to Special Response Teams anticipating or involved in diving operations. Drawing on over 20 years experience, with the past 10 years as a lead diver, Diving Supervisor and Training Officer for a major west coast law enforcement agency, Lonsdale is currently working on a more advanced manual that is expected out in 2001.
BASIC COMBAT SWIMMER DEVELOPMENT
Drawing on the expertise of several former naval special warfare instructors, STTU is equipped and staffed to advise on and train SEAL-type combat swimmer elements within a military or governmental organization.
In the early stages of developing a combat swimmer program, STTU can assist in identifying the mission essential capabilities of the team and advise on manning and equipment procurement. STTU instructors can then develop selection criteria and training modules suited to the local environment and mission requirements.
To minimize costs and avoid duplication of effort, STTU will first identifying the assets already in place with the host organization and make recommendations on how to best integrate these into the training and operational capability of the combat swimmer element.
DIVING EQUIPMENT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
For the past two decades that STTU has been involved in tactical training, the staff has also been aggressively testing and evaluating equipment suited to law enforcement and military special operations. We also dedicate a considerable amount of time to the study of past operational debriefs and anticipated mission profiles to gain more insight into the needs of the individual fighting man either on land or underwater. This is especially important with diving related operations and equipment.
Since the diving equipment worn by either public safety divers or combat swimmers is such a critical part of the diver’s life support system, it is important that this equipment be of the highest standard and rigorously tested.
For the combat swimmer, who may be already loaded with a significant amount of mission essential equipment, the diving suit and apparatus can be a considerable additional burden that will unnecessarily extend his swim time, causing fatigue and creating problems with thermal regulation. Once the combat swimmer reaches his objective he may be so hypothermic and fatigued as to compromise his ability to complete the mission.
Upon arriving at the beach, ship or port facility, the combat diver must also be able to shed his diving equipment, move inland or scale the side of a ship, execute his mission, and then if necessary, return to his equipment and to the sea. All of this makes for one of the most demanding mission profiles, so it is only logical that every item of diving and tactical equipment work to enhance the diver’s performance and not hinder the mission.
With this in mind, for the past few years we have been studying different equipment configurations with particular attention to creating a streamlined profile that minimizes drag and maximizes efficiency underwater. We have also been looking into the various problems associated with maintaining a comfortable thermal equilibrium, particularly where swimmers may be required to sweat and overheat in their dry suits, prior to long cold running times underwater.
On the other end of the spectrum, some dive teams have to operate in extremely hot climates with high water temperatures risking problems associated with hyperthermia and dehydration.
In conjunction with equipment T&E, there must be a corresponding amount of effort put into evaluating mission related tactics and methods of ingress and egress. The starting point for all STTU’s mission specific training is encompassed in the acronym S.A.I.D. – Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demands. In other words, making the mission training work-up Specifically condition and Adapt the individual to the anticipated Imposed Demands of the mission profile.
The primary goal of all STTU research and study, is to identify the equipment and equipment configurations, that when integrated with the mission essential combat load and a realistic work-up, will put the fighting man on the target in the best possible condition to complete the mission.
NOTE:
It should be understood that heavy emphasis is placed on hands-on training and in-water experience in all diving and maritime programs, so trainees should possess a high state of fitness, motivation and basic swimming skills.
In addition, as with all STTU programs, we do not have programs that individuals can sign-up for or attend. All STTU training is geared towards tactical TEAMS and must be sponsored by qualified law enforcement or governmental agencies or the military.
• Contaminated Water Diving
• Hydrographic Survey
The services offered by STTU include: