(Pictured are: bottom, G. Barrett, J. Grimsley, top l-r J. Tye, B. Larson, J.W. Cook, R. Hurias, and L. Gilmore) Not pictured, R. Mears, L. Mears, D. Mazza, C. Tye, N. Tye, C. Hurias, D. Toms, and R. Wisham.

The Lee County Dive Search/Recovery/Rescue Dive Team's primary mission is the rescue / recovery of people and / or property involved in either "missing person's" or law enforcement cases in an aquatic environment. This ranges from body searches, search's for evidence from crimes for local law enforcement agencies, and other tasks that may arise from time to time. The team is under direction of the Lee County Fire Department and provides assistance for Lee, Sumter, Crisp, and Macon Counties. In the past we have been called upon to search for , besides bodies of unfortunate victims, weapons and evidence used in crimes, and rescues of stranded citizens.

The dive team came into existance due to the need for the local and surrounding area's need for a Search/Rescue Team that operated underwater. Also the lack of funding from the state to hire dive rescue teams made it necessary for the team to consist of volunteers. The Lee County Dive Team is composed of volunteer fire fighters who also enjoy the sport of scuba diving. Due to the increase of water sports and boating throughout the area , the dive team was needed in the event of accidental drowning. Most of the diving conditions were in depth's of around 20 to 30 feet and in 1 to 2 foot visibility. Other factors that hampered most traditional body recovery tactics were that most of the lakes in the area are full of trot lines (used to catch fish) and trees in the water with a maze of root systems. This proved to be a tedious process for the hook method.

This and additional pages will be updated periodically.   

"Links to other Search and Rescue/Recovery 

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