New scuba gear will allow Macon-Bibb County rescue divers to communicate underwater

Three people have drowned while swimming in Macon this year: two at Amerson River Park and one at Lake Tobesofkee.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Three people have drowned while swimming in Macon this year, and local officials are taking action to better respond to the next emergency.

The Macon Bibb Law Enforcement Foundation gave a $7,500 grant to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for the purchase of new self-contained underwater breathing apparatuses (scuba).

“It allows us to upgrade our old equipment,” said Christopher Yaughn, a member of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department’s rescue dive team. “A lot of it is just getting outdated, starting to tear up, come apart, and not be used on rescue calls like we need it to be.” 

Yaughn says the new equipment will allow for verbal communication between dive team members underwater searching for missing swimmers and those on land.

“We still use rope signals, pulling on ropes and getting different signals back and forth, we still have that as a system,” Yaughn said. “But we can now communicate back and forth to the team on land, so that’s of huge importance.” 

Bibb County Sheriff David Davis says strong water currents pose a threat to even the greatest swimmers. That’s why he and other local leaders spend the winter months accessing all risks and making improvements.

“It’s sort of the quiet season as far as water events, and so that’s when you stop and assess what you need,” Sheriff Davis said. 

The Macon-Bibb Law Enforcement Foundation raises money for purchases that go beyond the budget of local agencies.  The money from the grant will go to the sheriff’s office to purchase gear for the rescue dive team.

Sheriff Davis believes this year’s drownings made deciding how to use the additional funding a “no-brainer”. He says the new equipment will make the community safer and help ease the burden of first responders.

“When that call comes and the water warms up, they know exactly what they have, how to use it, and how it’s going to help them do a rescue in the water,” Davis said. 

Markers paying tribute to those who have lost their lives in the water at Amerson River Park surround the Sheridan Overlook. Yaughn says his team has responded to 10 emergencies at the park in just the last two years. He says the new equipment should help park goers feel safer but still urges caution.

“We’ll be able to respond faster in the water, and come out a little quicker,” Yaughn said. “But as always, wear life jackets around water, even if you can swim.”