In the picture above, Firefighters search for a drowning victim on the Edisto River.

Assistant Chief David A. Greene (dgreene@colletoncounty.org) - (843) 539-1960 extension 222

Water Rescue

Colleton County Fire-Rescue's TRT is trained and equipped to perform water rescue.  Utilizing self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) equipment, personnel search for and rescue or recover drowning victims.  TRT also has access to advanced search tools such as underwater cameras, etc. 

Operations

TRT responds to water rescue incidents for the purpose of rescuing or recovering the patient.  Early notification is the key to a successful rescue.  If a person goes underwater and fails to re-surface, you should immediately dial 9-1-1.  The following precautions should be taken. 

• If you have to leave the area to call 9-1-1, mark the area the person was last seen on a fixed object.

• Try to estimate the exact time the person was last seen above the water.

• Be available to assist firefighters by answering questions when they arrive.  They will require an approximate location the missing person was last seen and an approximate down time.