The Los Gatos Police DART Swiftwater Rescue Team is comprised of volunteer DART members who must undergo a variety of training classes in order to qualify for a position on the team. All members must have an Emergency Responder or better First-Aid certificate. Personnel designated as "Swimmer" must complete Swiftwater Rescue Technician I. Support Personnel should complete State Certified Rescue Systems I, as well as a Haz-Mat awareness course.

Purpose
The purpose of the Swiftwater rescue team is to provide a nucleus of highly trained special rescue personnel to deal with situations involving water related search, rescue, and recovery without risking the lives of untrained DART members. These situations can range from acquiring evidence for local law enforcement agencies to recovering a drowning victim from a local waterway. The purpose of the team is to be able to perform these tasks, but to do so in a safe and organized manner.

Goals
The primary goal of the Swiftwater rescue team involves the successful organization, direction, support, execution, and safety of surface search, rescue, and recovery. Personnel acting in such a capacity may be expected to organize, direct, and personally participate in such operations. They will also be responsible for assuring that all available resources are properly utilized to include untrained personnel with particular attention being paid to the safety of the organization.

Swift Water Personnel
Swift water personnel are personnel trained specifically to perform rescues as related to swift water operations. Members must be SRT-I Swift Water rescue certified or an equivalent and all swift water rescue personnel are expected to follow the guidelines as expressed by Rescue 3. No swift water rescue personnel will perform tasks that are beyond his/her level of expertise. It is expressly forbidden that any swift water rescue personnel enter the water of a swift water operation without at least , one other backup swift water rescue personnel present, a helmet and a PFD. ANY deviations from this rule will result in suspension of the member from the team.

Support Personnel
Ground support personnel is any member of the team who expresses interest and trains to provide surface, shore, communications, logistical, or other support necessary for the accomplishment of the search, rescue, or recovery operations of the team. No personnel will perform tasks that are beyond his/her area of expertise and it is expressly forbidden that ground support personnel enter a hazardous water rescue operation with appropriate gear or training. ANY deviations from this rule will result in suspension of the member from the team.