Members of the Nashua Fire Rescue Dive Team during their training exercise in the Nashua River on the morning of Aug. 31. Telegraph photo by Christopher Roberson

NASHUA – Members of the Nashua Fire Rescue Dive Team went into the Nashua River near the Main Street Bridge on the morning of Aug. 31 to conduct their quarterly training exercises.

Deputy Fire Chief James Kirk said the training involved the use of the department’s watercraft Marine 1 and Marine 2. Divers aboard Marine 2 were taken upstream to Marine 1 where they took turns diving 20 feet down to simulate an underwater rescue. He said every diver has two other divers at the surface who are ready to go if necessary.

Lt. Shawn Chamberlain said Dive Team members are also trained in black water diving, which allows them to continue a rescue despite poor visibility along the riverbed.

“Everything is by feel,” he said, adding that every diver has one hour of oxygen.

Kirk said training exercises are done four times every three months.

Although his divers are all highly-skilled, Kirk said ongoing training is still necessary in order to effectively respond to an actual emergency.

During the winter months, Kirk said divers participate in ice diving, which simulates rescuing someone who has fallen through thin ice.

“That’s a completely different animal,” said Kirk.

He said ice diving can be mentally challenging as divers must find the hole in the ice in order to reach the surface.

“You’ve got the ice shelf above you, you’re in a box now,” said Kirk.