In a first for the Bermuda Regiment, soldiers have signed up to undergo professional training as rescue divers.

The first group has just completed a gruelling three-day training course, which includes training for rescues at sea, first aid and a written test.

Captain Chris Gauntlett, who owns Blue Water Divers and Watersports at Somerset Bridge and is a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) trainer, taught a group of three NCOs how to save lives in the water.

“This will get them to a point where they can assist other people in the water,” Capt Gauntlett said.

“It’s another area of expertise for us and it’s especially important for the maritime role — it means we will be able to work with and support the police even more, whether it’s on land in the public order role or at sea in the maritime role.”

Capt Gauntlett added that the PADI course, which had only recently been introduced, was designed for US police forces, who wanted a recognised training course for their divers.

Three full-time NCOs, WO II James Self, WO II Jason Harrell and Colour Sergeant Jason Smith, took part in the course.

While the soldiers taking part paid for the course themselves, they were all supported with time off from their normal Regiment duties and financial assistance from the Bermuda Regiment Charitable Trust, which helps with the purchase of technical equipment.

It is expected by the end of next month, a total of nine full and part-time staff, from across the Regiment’s specialities, will have completed the tough PADI requirements in rescue diving and search and recovery techniques.

WO II Self said the course included locating and rescuing an unconscious diver, and administering first aid and oxygen.

“The course covers all the things that could go wrong in a diving situation. We’re all recreational divers and we volunteered to improve our skills,” he said.

WO II Harrell said: “Boat Troop already assists the police on the water — most recently when a boat sank and a search and rescue operation for the sole occupant was launched — and this is another string to our bow.”

Clr Sgt Smith called the training “hard work but good fun.

“It certainly increases our abilities in the water,” he said. “It’s all about being able to work with the police and being able to help them.”

Now offering a $300 bounty for new volunteers, the Bermuda Regiment can be reached at 238-1045 or www.bermudaregiment.bm.