VIDEO: Lifeguards with San Diego Fire-Rescue tested out new underwater “scooters” Wednesday morning in an effort to make water rescues faster and safer.
Crews held inaugural launches for its new Piranha P1 Scooters at SDFD Lifeguard Headquarters in Mission Bay.
“These Piranhas are going to increase our effectiveness, extend the range at a high speed and allow the team to cover more area at just about five times faster,” said SDFD Lifeguard Chief James Gartland.
The rescue and recovery tools can dive down to 600 feet, according to SDFD Lifeguards Sgt. Rob Brown. Though Brown noted that SDFD crews would never operate that deep.
“The average diver swims along at a little less than one mile per hour,” said Brown.
The Piranha P1 Scooters can reach speeds of 2.9 miles per hour, Brown said Wednesday.