Sonoma County Sheriff Volunteer Dive Team

Sonoma County Sheriff Volunteer Dive Team The Sonoma County Sheriff's Dive Team is an all volunteer group of public safety divers.

Teaching a child how to swim can save their life. Sonoma County Regional Parks makes it easy and inexpensive. On Saturda...
04/09/2026

Teaching a child how to swim can save their life. Sonoma County Regional Parks makes it easy and inexpensive. On Saturday (April 11), the County kicks off its annual Vamos a Nadar program – Spanish for “Let’s Go Swimming” – providing low-cost, bilingual water safety classes for children and their families.

Workshops are designed for families with children age 5 and older. Children get an introduction to swimming, while parents learn how to recognize hazards, evaluate water conditions and supervise children in areas without lifeguards. Families also receive guidance on water safety rules and simple rescue techniques. Each session costs $5, and families receive a coupon for additional lessons at a reduced price.

The program, created in 2004 to help prevent drowning along the Russian River, has reached more than 3,500 young people since its inception. It is offered from April to July at eight swimming pools across the county. Registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome as space allows.

“Our goal for the program is for families and individuals to feel comfortable enjoying the summer and being able to splash in the water to cool off,” said Andrew Traverso, Regional Parks’ recreation program coordinator. “Our main message is don’t be afraid of the water: learn water safety and learn to swim.”

https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/play/activities-calendar/vamos-a-nadar



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Enseñar a un niño a nadar puede salvarle la vida. Los Parques Regionales del Condado de Sonoma lo hacen fácil y asequible. El sábado (11 de abril), el condado pone en marcha su programa anual «Vamos a Nadar», que ofrece clases bilingües de seguridad acuática a bajo coste para niños y sus familias.

Los talleres están pensados para familias con niños a partir de 5 años. Los niños reciben una introducción a la natación, mientras que los padres aprenden a reconocer los peligros, evaluar las condiciones del agua y supervisar a los niños en zonas sin socorristas. Las familias también reciben orientación sobre normas de seguridad acuática y técnicas sencillas de rescate. Cada sesión cuesta 5 dólares, y las familias reciben un cupón para clases adicionales a precio reducido.

El programa, creado en 2004 para ayudar a prevenir los ahogamientos a lo largo del río Russian, ha llegado a más de 3.500 jóvenes desde su inicio. Se ofrece de abril a julio en ocho piscinas de todo el condado. Se recomienda inscribirse, pero se admiten participantes sin cita previa si hay plazas disponibles.

Nuestro objetivo con este programa es que las familias y las personas se sientan cómodas disfrutando del verano y puedan chapotear en el agua para refrescarse», afirmó Andrew Traverso, coordinador del programa de actividades recreativas de Parques Regionales. «Nuestro mensaje principal es: no tengáis miedo al agua; aprended seguridad acuática y aprended a nadar.

Happy Easter from Sonoma County Sheriff Volunteer Dive Team. While you’re out hunting eggs, we’re always ready to dive i...
04/05/2026

Happy Easter from Sonoma County Sheriff Volunteer Dive Team.

While you’re out hunting eggs, we’re always ready to dive in when it matters most.

Stay safe, enjoy the day, and don’t worry… we checked—no eggs at the bottom of the Russian River.

Always ready!






02/25/2026

Last week, members of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Dive Team participated in an advanced Light Salvage & Recovery training led by Dive Rescue International.

The 24-hour course, instructed by Kevin and Jeff, focused on real-world salvage and recovery operations, including:

Lift bag and salvage tube types and designs

Proper use of attachment straps and rigging systems

Scene evaluation and risk assessment

Operations in current vs. still water

Component and staged lift operations

Hands-on underwater recovery scenarios

Training alongside partner agencies strengthens interagency coordination and operational readiness. Departments training together included the San Francisco Police Department Marine Unit, Oakland Police Department, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, SFPD, and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.

Last week, members of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Dive Team participated in an advanced Light Salvage & Recovery trainin...
02/25/2026

Last week, members of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Dive Team participated in an advanced Light Salvage & Recovery training led by Dive Rescue International.

The 24-hour course, instructed by Kevin and Jeff, focused on real-world salvage and recovery operations, including:

Lift bag and salvage tube types and designs

Proper use of attachment straps and rigging systems

Scene evaluation and risk assessment

Operations in current vs. still water

Component and staged lift operations

Hands-on underwater recovery scenarios

Training alongside partner agencies strengthens interagency coordination and operational readiness. Departments training together included the San Francisco Police Department's Marine Unit, the Oakland Police Department, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, San Francisco Fire Department, and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team.

This type of hands-on, scenario-based training ensures our divers are prepared for complex recovery missions while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Members from our team wrapped up an intense (and awesome) week completing the Underwater Crime Scene Technician I & II c...
01/25/2026

Members from our team wrapped up an intense (and awesome) week completing the Underwater Crime Scene Technician I & II course with Dive Rescue International - Public Safety

Five full days of classroom time, pool work, and real-world open water scenarios focused on underwater evidence recovery and crime scene processing. From photography and videography underwater, to search patterns, vehicle and body recovery, and evidence preservation, this course was all about doing things the right way, even in the toughest conditions.

It was challenging, technical, and incredibly rewarding, serving as a great reminder of how much teamwork and attention to detail go into every investigation below the surface.

Huge thanks to our instructors Tom Champaign, Jeff Morgan, Mike Bushnell and Ryan Smith for sharing their knowledge, experience, and high standards throughout the week. Also grateful to train alongside a solid group of dedicated professionals from Alameda Fire Department, CONTRA COSTA SHERIFF-OFFICIAL PAGE, San Francisco Police Department, Oakland Police Department Sonoma County Sheriff Volunteer Dive Team,

Photos below give a small glimpse into the training.

12/09/2025

Public Safety Dive Training, Southern Channel Islands.

Huge shoutout to all the agencies who joined us for this intensive (40+ hour) Public Safety Dive Training course, with a special thanks to SFPD for their support and partnership.

Represented agencies:
• SFPD
• Monterey County Sheriff’s Office
• Oakland PD
• Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office
• Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office
• Alameda County Sheriff’s Office

Here’s a little preview of our four days aboard a live-aboard dive vessel Peace Boat out of Ventura, CA, divers pushed their limits through online classes, briefings, in-water skill development, testing and real-world scenarios designed to enhance proficiency, confidence, and safety.

From Night, Deep, Boat, Full-Face, Dry Suit, and Enriched Air training to hands-on Emergency Dive Accident Management (EDAM), students gained critical knowledge to prevent public safety dive accidents and strengthen their teams knowledge for real world recovery incidents.

By course completion, divers who met all requirements earned multiple PADI specialty ratings and the PADI Master Scuba Diver certification.

Proud of everyone who showed up, trained hard, and elevated the standards of public safety diving.

Thanks to the Peace Boat Crew that kept us feed and dive masters for passing along their knowledge.

How we spent this weekend 😢
07/28/2025

How we spent this weekend 😢

07/18/2025

Please, please, please put us out of a job and wear a life jacket

📢 A Message from the Sheriff — Un mensaje del sheriff 📢[En español abajo]After the tragic loss of two lives to drowning ...
07/16/2025

📢 A Message from the Sheriff — Un mensaje del sheriff 📢

[En español abajo]
After the tragic loss of two lives to drowning on the Russian River this past weekend, we’re urging everyone to stay safe while enjoying our local waterways. Conditions can change quickly — even familiar spots can become dangerous.

⚠️ 🌊 🛟 Summer Water Safety Tips:
✔️ Wear a life jacket — even if you're a strong swimmer
✔️ Never swim alone
✔️ Stay sober in and around water
✔️ Know your limits
✔️ Watch for strong currents and hidden hazards

For Sonoma County beaches, lifeguard locations and more water safety information, visit: https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/play/swimming
~
Tras la trágica pérdida de dos vidas por ahogamiento en el río Russian el pasado fin de semana, instamos a todos a que mantengan la seguridad mientras disfrutan de nuestras vías fluviales locales. Las condiciones pueden cambiar rápidamente, incluso los lugares más conocidos pueden volverse peligrosos.

⚠️ 🌊 🛟 Consejos de seguridad acuática para el verano:
✔️ Lleve un chaleco salvavidas, incluso si es un buen nadador.
✔️ Nunca nade solo.
✔️ No consuma alcohol en el agua ni cerca de ella.
✔️ Conozca sus límites.
✔️ Esté atento a las corrientes fuertes y los peligros ocultos.

Para obtener información sobre las playas del condado de Sonoma, la ubicación de los socorristas y más información sobre seguridad en el agua, visite: https://parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov/play/swimming

These tragedies are 100% preventable. Don’t go in the water unless 1) you know how to swim and 2) have a life jacket.
07/15/2025

These tragedies are 100% preventable. Don’t go in the water unless 1) you know how to swim and 2) have a life jacket.

Come winter, summer or fall, rain or shine the Sonoma County Sheriff’s dive team is always prepared.Our team completed a...
02/03/2025

Come winter, summer or fall, rain or shine the Sonoma County Sheriff’s dive team is always prepared.

Our team completed a training session this weekend, ensuring every member stays sharp and mission-ready. Each diver suited up in team and personal gear, practiced search techniques, and re-familiarized themselves with operating in dry suits and specialized equipment.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Dive Team trains monthly to maintain safety, efficiency, and preparedness—so when the call comes, we’re ready.

A big thank you to our dedicated team for their commitment to keeping our community safe! 💙

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Santa Rosa, CA

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