DART Squad Handles Water Rescues

When an individual gets caught in the fast-moving waters of the American River, it's the Drowning Accident Rescue Team that will be called out to the scene.

With warm temperatures and people looking to cool off in the river and other rivers, lakes and waterways in and around Sacramento County, it has been a busy summer for the 50 members of the all-volunteer, non-profit DART squad.

"We fund ourselves through events like crab feeds and fireworks booths," said DART president Bob Erickson, a Carmichael resident. "We work under a memorandum of understanding with the (Sacramento County) Sheriff's Department.

The DART squad began about 30 years ago with eight paramedics, Erickson said. The agency's fleet includes two retired ambulances from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and a boat with side and bottom sonar that they dock near the Garden Highway.

DART volunteers include retired individuals and law enforcement and fire officials. The agency is called out to incidents alongside Sac Metro firefighters.

"Sacramento is a cold-water immersion area," Erickson said. "If we can get an individual to medical care within an hour, they are more likely to survive."

Many calls don't end on a positive note.

"Most often we're in recovery mode," Erickson said. "We can give families closure."

Erickson said DART is just as busy in the winter as in the summer because in the winter, motorists may not see well in fog and end up driving their cars into water.

But this summer has been busier for DART then in past years because the fast-melting snowpack in the Sierra Nevada leads to fast-moving water. Many youth ride rafts from the Sunrise area through Carmichael, Erickson said.

"This summer, we're not going to get a break," he said.

Many kids don't take life jackets, even though they are at selected locations, Erickson said. The majority of adult drownings are alcohol-related.

Although exact numbers are not available, Erickson said there have been more drownings in the first six months of this year compared to last year.

Volunteers have taught water safety classes to area elementary school students and Erickson said he has heard of instances when a child survived because they remember something they learned.

Erickson gives credit to the volunteers.

"It's an unbelievable group of men and women dedicated to their craft," he said.

Anyone can be a volunteer and you don't need to be a diver, Erickson said. There is a strict training program, however.

DART members are also looking for community donations. Recently, 37 people donated $100 each but Erickson said the agency has older equipment

Groups like Andy's Scuba World and the Dolphin scuba diving crew have given DART members discounts on equipment.

"It's a full-time job telling people we need donations," Erickson said. "We're going to do our job regardless."

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To donate to the Drowning Accident Rescue Team, visit dartsac.org