Bridging SAR Training and Real-World Application at FLAIMS

The FLAIMS event, hosted by Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Venice Police Department, SKS Solutions, and Deep Trekker, provided SAR teams with hands-on experience in search and recovery techniques, risk assessments, sonar operations, and incident command processes.

Led by Shane Seagroves, a public safety veteran with over 30 years of experience, the training focused on methodical search approaches, leveraging advanced technology, and fostering interagency collaboration. Seagroves emphasized the importance of structured SAR protocols, stating:

“We identified a problem early on - teams lacked a methodical approach to search. So we developed a 10-step process that increases the probability of detection. We’ve incorporated boats, sonar, ROVs, canines, and incident management to make teams more productive and safer.”

FLAIMS was structured to provide hands-on learning in realistic SAR situations, simulating real-world recovery missions. Training sessions and mock scenarios included:

• Sonar Targets - Simulated Rescue, Real Challenge: Using a mock case of a missing kayaker, mock recovery dummies were deployed without the team's knowledge of the location. They needed to use the information from the case to identify the ‘point of last scene’ to begin the search for the target.
• Sonar Mapping & ROV Deployment: Participants used side-scan sonar to mark potential points of interest (POIs), then deployed ROVs to investigate.
• SARtopo & Mission Coordination: The control center tracked search teams in real-time using SARtopo/CalTopo mapping software, ensuring full coverage of the search area.

The integration of these technologies drastically reduced search times and improved accuracy in detecting underwater targets.

“Search and rescue is a tough job,” explains Seagroves. “We’re typically called out when someone has lost their life, and our goal is to return them to their loved ones. At the end of the day, we’re making SAR operations faster, safer, and more efficient.”

The Importance of Unified Training in SAR Operations

SAR operations demand a high level of coordination between first responders, law enforcement, and emergency management teams. FLAIMS provided a unified training experience, bringing together:

• Florida police, fire, and emergency management teams
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
• SAR specialists and emergency responders from various agencies

Participants engaged in a condensed version of SKS Solutions and Crisistec’s AIMS classes, a proven methodology developed by Shane Seagroves (SKS Solutions) and Scot Brooks (Crisistec). The curriculum emphasized risk assessments, sonar and ROV integration, operational risk management, and multi-agency coordination techniques.

Chris Tenuta, Deep Trekker’s Technical Trainer, noted:

"The FLAIMS event was an incredibly positive experience for everyone involved. Emergency management experts Shane Seagroves and Scot Brooks provided invaluable training on their '10-Step' Aquatic Incident Management Safety process’, along with other critical components essential for handling marine emergencies. By integrating these proven techniques with Deep Trekker’s highly capable ROVs, we demonstrated to Florida’s first responders how to enhance their operations, improving cost-efficiency, effectiveness, and overall response capabilities."

Demonstrating Coordinated Technology Use for Search and Recovery Operations

Deep Trekker played a key role in demonstrating how integrating different technologies can improve aquatic incident management. Carter Sinclair, Senior Account Executive at Deep Trekker, highlighted the importance of combining tools like aerial drones, side scan sonar, and ROV systems to streamline search and recovery operations.

“We’ve learned a lot throughout the years, and we've also learned that there is a bit of a disconnect between the pieces of technology that many of these teams are incorporating. Many teams are using aerial drones for oversight on search operations. Many teams are using side scan sonar to map out large areas; and then we're seeing more and more teams incorporating Deep Trekker ROVs into their search efforts, as well,” Sinclair noted.

Deep Trekker worked closely with subject matter experts Shane Seagroves and Scot Brooks, who brought decades of experience in aquatic incident and emergency management.

“We wanted to have a comprehensive aquatic incident management training program, where we bring these different pieces of technology together and work with experts like Seagroves and Brooks to provide a high level, top down view on how we can improve aquatic incident management to make those operations even more effective and safer than they've been in the past.”

“Seagroves and Brooks have dozens of years working in aquatic incident management and emergency management, and have been teaching this through their company, SKS Solutions, for a number of years. Shane, himself, has done more than 20 remote body recoveries using Deep Trekker ROVs in his career. So he has a great deal of experience and a great deal of lessons learned. But more importantly, he spent a large portion of the classroom teaching talking about some of the mistakes he's made over the years and the lessons he's learned not to repeat. Which brought a great deal of value from his personal experience to the attendees of FLAIMS.”

The program was built around Seagroves’ existing aquatic incident management curriculum, but was adapted to emphasize the role of modern technologies.

“Shane has been a recovery diver since he was in his 20s, and he is very much a subject matter expert in this world and has been training on aquatic incident management for many years. Most of the curriculum we pulled out was from his current Aquatic Incident Management training program. But we did want to tailor it to be very technology heavy, and how we could bring those pieces of tech like side scan sonar, aerial drones, and our ROV systems together, and manage that incident in a much more effective way.”

The hands-on aspect of the event was another highlight, providing valuable opportunities for collaboration between experienced agencies and newer teams.

“We had a great response from this first FLAIMS event, but we also learned a lot through conducting that first program and how we're going to continue to improve it in the future. I think one of the biggest values we brought was getting hands on the equipment and having a strong mix of people who are newer to ROVs and side scan sonar. But groups like the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and Shane Seagroves, who've also used these systems for a number of years. They were able to directly provide valuable feedback from their shared experiences. And using this technology, the lessons that they've learned and being able to collaborate and share that with a group of public safety divers was a fantastic experience.”

Sinclair emphasized the success of transitioning theoretical classroom lessons to practical field operations, where coordinated search patterns and technology integration led to effective target location and recovery.

“One of my favorite things was actually being out on the water and taking the learnings we had from the classroom, that theoretical approach on how we're going to conduct search patterns, how we're going to closely manage this incident, and how we were even tracking the different parties who are conducting these search patterns to make sure it was a comprehensive and coordinated search effort, and taking that from the classroom and executing it with a great deal of success, actually out on the water, locating potential anomalies and then finding and recovering that target remotely with Deep Trekker’s ROVs.”

For Deep Trekker, FLAIMS was not only a successful training event but also an opportunity to deepen relationships within Florida’s public safety diving community.

“Both Deep Trekker and the attendees were super pleased with the results of FLAIMS. It brought a great deal of shared knowledge to the participants. With the success we saw and the feedback we got from hosting our first ever FLAIMS event, we're excited to be scaling this up and bringing this to other geographies moving forward in the future.”

The event showcased the value of a structured, top-down approach to managing aquatic incidents by integrating personnel, tools, and resources.

“We started from ground zero during this event and took a top down level approach on reviewing the equipment we had at our disposal, the other resources, including personnel, and how to better manage that search effort. We used third party tools like SAR Topo or Cal SAR to effectively track our different search patterns from the side scan sonar, and then coordinate those efforts and map out those potential targets, those anomalies, using Reef Mastery, 3D sonar, mosaic software, and then finally followed up with the actual search and recovery process using the ROV systems. Now, of course, this was a mock exercise, but it was a great example on how we can use these tools to better manage that incident and coordinate the resources and tools we have much more effectively.”

Leveraging Technology for Search and Recovery

ROVs have become an indispensable asset for SAR teams, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to deploying divers in hazardous conditions.

Eric Griffin, a Sergeant at the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office attending the training, highlighted the safety benefits and operational advantages of ROVs in underwater recovery missions:

“The reason we implemented ROVs for our underwater missions is based on safety. We were able to quickly deploy, determine whether we had found what we were looking for, and reduce unnecessary dives.”

ROVs also played a crucial role in multi-agency coordination, as Griffin further explained:

“They were able to show us some management techniques. When you have multiple agencies involved in a large waterborne incident, learning how to manage assets - including personnel, vessels, and logistics - is essential. With ROV experts on hand, we incorporated them into scenario-based training, integrating sonar, ROVs, and incident management for a comprehensive approach.”

By combining sonar imaging with ROVs, teams were able to precisely locate and assess underwater targets before sending in divers, significantly improving overall safety, efficiency, and mission success rates.

Maximizing Efficiency and Collaboration

One of the most significant takeaways from FLAIMS was the improvement in operational efficiency. By combining methodical search protocols, real-time mapping, and advanced ROV capabilities, agencies can reduce costs, minimize deployment times, and enhance overall effectiveness.

Marshall Deputy Dirk Williamson, lead marine unit and dive team coordinator for the Polk County Sheriff Office, noted the immediate return on investment from implementing ROVs:

“The DTG3 we purchased paid for itself within 30 days, but it’s not just the monetary value, this technology has fundamentally changed the way we conduct maritime law enforcement and SAR operations. This training has helped us further understand the capabilities of Deep Trekker ROVs, and how it can help our divers, especially in zero visibility waterways.”

Building a Stronger SAR Community Through Training

Beyond technology, FLAIMS reinforced the importance of interagency collaboration and shared knowledge. The training attracted multiple SAR teams from across Florida and beyond, providing an opportunity to exchange best practices, refine search methodologies, and strengthen regional response capabilities.

Brandon McDonnell, an Executive Officer with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office underwater search and recovery team, emphasized the value of continuous learning:

“The aquatic incident management school taught us new techniques and strategies. We’ve done in-house training, but seeing how other teams operate allowed us to take the best parts of their programs and refine our own methods, to make us better and more efficient.”

Seagroves also underscored the ongoing support network formed through these events:

“It’s about fellowship, networking, and relationships. Even after the event, teams know they can reach out to us for guidance. We’re all in this together, working to bring closure to families faster, safer, and more effectively.”

Looking Ahead: Future Training Opportunities

With the success of the Sarasota event, plans are already in motion for the next AIMS class in May 2025 in Rowan County. These regionalized training sessions allow SAR teams to train in diverse environments, refine their strategies, and stay updated on the latest tools and techniques.

Deep Trekker’s involvement continues to reinforce its commitment to public safety, providing industry-leading ROV technology to SAR teams worldwide. The company’s long-standing partnership with SAR organizations ensures ongoing support, innovation, and training opportunities.

“At the end of the day, we're trying to make search and rescue operations faster, safer, and more efficient,” noted Seagroves. “Deep Trekker has been a great support for our operations for the last ten years. And, so it’s kind of a force multiplier. The more people we get involved with this, the safer it is for everyone involved.”

For agencies looking to enhance their SAR capabilities, future AIMS events offer invaluable hands-on experience, expert guidance, and access to cutting-edge technology. Don’t miss the next opportunity to advance your search and recovery skills—stay tuned for upcoming training dates!

Seagroves concludes, “We're looking forward to working alongside Deep Trekker and doing these regionalized training approaches, because it really lets everybody see how other teams do things, and how we operate together makes us much safer, and much more efficient.”

Join Us for the Next AIMS Event

For SAR professionals looking to improve their skills, integrate the latest technology, and collaborate with leading experts, attending an AIMS training event is an invaluable opportunity.

To learn more about how ROVs can improve your SAR missions visit Deep Trekker’s website, and for details on upcoming AIMS courses reach out to SKS Solutions.