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Divers
sharpen skills
BY DAVID NIVENS
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
GREENSBORO
– When rescue divers plunge into chilly lake waters, they know someone’s life
could be at stake.
A group of divers representing several Triad lawenforcement and fire
and rescue agencies gathered Saturday at Lake Jeanette
to train for thosecritical dives.
“All this started for me and others in 1984 after three people
drowned in a lake,” said David Albright, a former lakeside resident. “I
volunteered at a fire department and so did many others. We wanted to do a
better job.”
Albright is a member of the 20 year-old Guilford Association of Scuba
Personnel rescue group.
“We use the exercises to work on our teamwork,” Albright said.
Each diver is supported by line handlers and a top-side supervisor
who coordinates searches on two-way radio.
GASP has had a busy year so far. “We’ve had about 15 calls, but no
rescues,” Albright said.
GASP members assisted in the recovery earlier this month of 3
year-old Jacob White and his 4 year-old brother J.W., who were found dead in
the Dan River.
GASP has received more than $100,000 in donations from Guilford
County and gifts and grants since it was formed. The money goes mostly to
equipment. The 100 pounds of gear each diver wears can cost as much as $4,500
dnivens@hpe.com |888-3626
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