La Crosse Dive Unit

Thanks to the generosity of the La Crosse Community Foundation...

The La Crosse Dive Unit received a grant in the amount of $17,373 to develop the use of dogs to assist in pinpointing drowning victims.  Our intention is to purchase a 17-foot rescue boat to use for canine water search and recovery.  Canine handlers and dogs have already started training in cooperation with the Southern Minnesota Canine Search and Rescue Team out of Rochester, MN.  The motorboat we are considering will work well in the river and lake environments in the County, with several components especially well suited for use of dogs on boats.  The low freeboard allows the dogs to be close to the water to pick up scent and it has flat floors so that dogs can roam the boat freely and safely when trying to pick up scent. 

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  · Enhances the capability of the Dive Unit to ensure a comprehensive rescue program.
  · Enhances diver safety by narrowing down a search area for dive teams, thus reducing the time spent underwater.
  · Most importantly, increases near-drowning victims’ chance of survival.
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  The ability to have dogs available to assist in water search and rescue has multiple benefits:

Water search and rescue is a race against time; unfortunately, finding a live subject is not guaranteed.  In these instances, the use of dogs can reduce search time for victims and provide the family with needed closure.  In addition, it also is valuable in any search to determine where a victim isn't.  This is positive information particularly in a water search -- specifically, the divers will not have to search those areas cleared by dog teams.  Areas cleared can be significant when you are dealing with many miles of river or hundreds of acres of a lake, bay, or reservoir.