Dive Rescue International - Public Safety

02/27/2026

02/27/2026

Did you know Electric Vehicles (EV) when submerged can emit Hydrofluoric acid in the water.
Research regarding the potential presence of Hydrofluoric acid (HF) associated with lithium-ion battery incidents have little effect on WHITES HAZMAT FAMILY OF DRYSUITS.
When evaluating materials for chemical resistance, testing is typically performed using the most aggressive chemical within a given class, often selecting the compound with the smallest molecular structure and strongest reactivity profile. For acids, Whites conducted testing using Sulfuric acid.
Testing was performed using a 50% sulfuric acid solution, as we would not anticipate a diver entering a concentrated, anhydrous acid environment. The breakthrough time exceeded 480 minutes. I have attached the complete chemical resistance test results for your review.
Hydrofluoric acid dissolves readily in water; in fact, what is commonly referred to as hydrofluoric acid is hydrogen fluoride gas dissolved in water. While HF is classified as a weak acid in terms of dissociation in water, it is extremely hazardous and highly corrosive.
From a classical acid strength standpoint, hydrofluoric acid is significantly less acidic than sulfuric acid. Based on this comparison, expected breakthrough performance of our drysuit material in diluted HF solutions would be less aggressive than the 50% sulfuric acid test condition (>480 minutes).
It is important to note, however, that despite being a weak acid, HF presents unique biological hazards:
• It penetrates tissue deeply
• Fluoride ions bind calcium and magnesium in the body
• Burns may not be immediately painful
In terms of environmental behavior, a 49% HF solution has a specific gravity of approximately 1.15, meaning it is heavier than water. In a diluted scenario, the solution would tend to settle lower in the water column, where a diver is working. This differs from many petroleum products, which are lighter than water and typically float on the surface, limiting prolonged subsurface exposure.

To provide perspective on dilution:
A standard 20' x 40' swimming pool contains approximately 35,000 gallons of water. If 100 gallons of acid were introduced into that volume, the resulting concentration would be approximately 0.28% (assuming uniform distribution). In open water environments, dilution would be significantly greater lowering the concentration even more.

One potential area of concern would be entering the interior cabin of a submerged vehicle, where limited water exchange could allow for temporarily elevated localized concentrations.

02/26/2026

02/26/2026

02/26/2026

DEPARTMENTS - IT’S TIME TO LEVEL UP. 💪🌊

May 18–24, 2026 | Lansing Police Operations Center | Lansing, MI

Three courses. One week. Zero excuses.

🔥 Med Dive (MD) – May 18–19
Because recognizing decompression illness, arterial gas embolism, and dive-related emergencies isn’t optional. It’s life-saving. Strengthen your team’s ability to identify, stabilize, and act when seconds matter.

⚔️ Critical Skills Diver (CSD) – May 20–21
Build muscle memory. Master stress response. Rehearse crisis survival. This is where divers sharpen their edge, eliminate hesitation, and learn to prevent — or survive — underwater emergencies.

⚓ Light Salvage & Recovery (LSR) – May 22–24
Train for real-world salvage operations tied to underwater crime scenes and investigations. Multiple lift techniques and environmentally conscious recovery that serves your community with precision. Boats, Vehicles, Aircrafts - OH MY!

Departments — this is how you build a resilient, mission-ready team.
Individual divers — this is how you become the asset your team depends on.

Sign up for one, stack two, or commit to all three and walk away stronger, sharper, and more capable than ever.

Public safety diving isn’t recreational. It’s operational.
Train accordingly.

02/26/2026

The Springfield Fire Rescue Division is the 2026 Ohio fire department of the year.

02/25/2026

02/25/2026

02/22/2026

02/20/2026

02/19/2026