Civil Defense Announces Training of New Diver Teams to Enhance Water Rescue Capabilities in Iraq

The Civil Defense Directorate announced today, Friday, the training of new diver teams to enhance water rescue capabilities in Iraq. The Director of the Public Relations and Media Department stated that these groups of officers and personnel underwent advanced specialized courses in diving and water rescue as part of efforts to develop the internationally accredited Iraqi search and rescue team, equipping them with the latest technologies and equipment. This initiative is part of the comprehensive national strategy to develop and integrate the operational capabilities of the team and to strengthen its readiness to respond to various incidents and emergencies in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Water rescue teams are considered a fundamental pillar within the civil defense system due to Iraq's geographical nature, which includes rivers, lakes, marshes, irrigation canals, and dams, necessitating specialized teams capable of handling drowning incidents, drifting, and vehicle falls into water bodies. Diving and rescue operations in internal waterways are challenging due to strong water currents, limited visibility, and the presence of obstacles and debris on the bottoms, requiring divers to be trained in specialized techniques and underwater communication tools to ensure their safety and performance efficiency. The tasks of these teams include evacuating trapped individuals during floods, searching for missing persons, rescuing victims of drowning and vehicle accidents in water, as well as coordinating with river police to cover humanitarian and security duties. The directorate places significant emphasis on awareness and prevention by warning citizens of the dangers of swimming in unauthorized or fast-current water bodies, stressing that prevention and early response contribute to reducing accidents and protecting lives and property.