Over the past two years twelve members have been trained in various Search & Recovery techniques and are now qualified as CFT Search & Recovery Divers. The twelve members completed their course with the very well respected Blackwater Sub-Aqua Club in Fermoy. While further training sessions have taken place over the past year in the Grand Canal, the team badly needed the masks and communications equipment to become fully equipped should they be called out on a search. The new equipment will certainly give great encouragement to the dedicated team. It will also greatly improve their personal safety and effectiveness while training and on active searches.

Scuba diving is mainly a leisure activity but the S&R Unit is also a very important aspect for the club as it is contributing to the local community and part of the County Kildare emergency plan. Plans are also in place to train in conjunction with the Kildare Civil Defence and help them on underwater searches should the need arise. Training will take place at various places along the Grand Canal and river Barrow over the winter months when weather sometimes prohibits other club diving activities. This training will built up the skills of the S&R Team and they will become a valuable asset to the local community in times of need.