As a continuation of our trauma week activities, our fundamentals in biomedical sciences was visited by two members of Mobile's Sheriff's Flotilla. Through their occupation, they are tasked with locating deceased bodies from our local waterways. This job is extremely important, for it allows families to have closure after there loved ones' death. Secondarily, life insurance payments cannot be made to families until the body of their family member is found or 7 years pass. Not having this income may be devastating to families. They began by speaking to us briefly about water safety. They made sure to emphasize to us that we "Reach or Throw But Never Go". No person, under any circumstance, should jump into the water to save a person drowning. This panicked person will likely drag their rescuer down with them. Even fearful toddlers can bring down an adult.
Those in the Flotilla have a lot of equipment that can assist them in their searches. They have three center console 23-25 foot boats, hummingbird side scanners that take pictures of the bottom of the water, one airboat, a sonar to take pictures of the water below the boat, grappling hooks to grab bodies, and three 16 foot Carolina skiff boats. Their equipment is so nice that other counties in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida ask Mobile's flotilla for help!
Many factors can make bodies float up faster:
--bodies thrown into the water after the person has died will float
--drowning victims sink
--water temperature causes bodies to float
--eating food right before death can make bodies float faster
--alcohol can make the bodies float faster
--salt water makes bodies float faster
I greatly enjoyed talking to our guests. They were extremely interesting and had lots of stories to tell. I would definitely like for them to come back soon!
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