TZ Aquanautics Crater Cave Contact

ZAZZU

TZA CRATER: CAVE : CONTACT Allowing for coordination between TZ branches across the country, CCC involved members from TZ-SLC, TZ-SEC7 and TZ-DNVR executing a mid-winter SCUBA dive into a underground geothermal cavern.

After entering a doorway into a snowy hillside and through a tunnel, a three man TZA detachment entered a massive subterranean cavern. At depths exceeding 75ft+ and water exceeding 90F+, Aquanauts took time to warm up after TZMD exercises earlier in the week.

“ Buddy, breathe! ”

With pitch black darkness as handy as ever, aquanauts practiced their night diving skills and deployed emergency strobes.

Go Teame!

LEARN MORE...

DEPARTMENTS

TZ Aquanautics is ready to operate in water of any temperature, conduct operation in aquatic environments ranging from high altitude scuba and skin diving to whitewater paddle-boarding. TZ Aquanauts deploy in support of the community during rescue and recovery operations

Features

SALVAGE SUBMERSION: TZ Aquanatics were required to locate and enter a submerged twin-engine 10-seat Beech C185 at a depth of 55 feet, deploy an experimental sensor tray, and conduct simulated emergency search and rescue dives acting as an air-deployed "feet wet" rapid reaction force under live-fire conditions.
Keywords: - Aquanautics - - Exercises - - Aircraft -
The Aquatics phase of Jump and Thump took place over the course of two days. Subsequent dives required participants to locate a sunken rowboat at 80 feet and prepare entry into an underwater vent pipe leading to a cave with extreme restrictions at 140 feet, all part of a vast underground system of water connecting seven sister lakes nestled among the surrounding red mesas.

TZA Condensed Aquanautics Operations Manual (.PDF)
Keywords: - -
Depth tables, Dive termination, General Emergency Procedures, Pre-dive Checklist, Dive Master Checks, Repetitive Dive Worksheet, Dive Hazard Analysis, Hand Signals and Pull Signals for underwater communication -- Do not hit the water without it"

SEABASE SENTRY: TZ Aquanauts train for conducting multiple duties including underwater searches, overhead flights, and rapid action.
Keywords: - Readiness - - Aquanautics - - Search and Rescue -
TZA mixed multiple training actions to simulate conditions of fatigue, response, readiness, and control needed during aquanautic search exercises.

ALWAYS REMEMBERED: Colin Wiest, TZ Friend and Mentor -- If you seek his spirit you need only find your courage
Keywords: - -
Colin Wiest, TZ.SEC-7 TZA TZMD TZMP was killed in a high-speed collision incident while executing emergency evasive course correction during vehicle test maneuvers in the southern Utah desert. The Incident occured near St. George on October 25th, 2014..."Colin's ability to build rapport stands always next to his excellent adherence to procedural operations and a self-initiative that stems from his apparent desire to not only complete his work and protect his clients, but to excel at both a professional and personal level. Colin is a professional who consistently asks the best of himself and leads through demonstrable action and integrity. I have always been confident placing the safety of myself and my clients under Colin's supervision"

AIRFRAME DIVEDOWN: "Relax, an underwater emergency is in progress"
Keywords: - -
TZ Aquanauts acting as Quick Reaction Force were required for hasty deployment from a light pickup for rapid area ingress and subsurface insertion under heavy gear.