The Belize Coast Guard has achieved a milestone with the successful certification of its first two dive instructors. The newly certified instructors recently completed an intensive instructor training program that lasted approximately two to three weeks. Rear Admiral Soberanis explained that the course was rigorous and highly demanding:
Gregory Soberanis, Commander BCG
"For the first time, um, were able to, um, have two certified-certified dive instructors pass the-the instructor's course. Um, this is key for us. Uh, we conduct numerous dive operations throughout the year, and-and so having-having that level of-of skill really elevates the-the-our ability to not only respond, but to conduct in-house training. Um, it-the-the-it helps our instructors to-to be better able to train, um, Coast Guard divers for the organization as they understand the medical risks that-that Coast Guard divers, um, commander or face whenever we do these-these dives, um, these, um, whether it's a recovery dive or a-a security dive. Um, so they understand the risk management that's involved, um, and-and-and because the dives that we do in the Coast Guard are not sport dive. You know, they're law enforcement dives, they're security dives, and so there's a certain level of risk that's involved that is separate and apart from a recreational dive. And so having-having-having these dive instructors, um, come augmented with the understanding of the various factors that we need to, um, input into the equation, um, when we look at how we conduct any type of dive, really enhances our ability to be more effective and more efficient in how we conduct our dive operations."
