The Madera County Sheriff’s Dive Team consists of 7 sworn officers and 2 Search and Rescue volunteers. The Sheriff’s Dive Team provides a host of services including rescue and recovery and evidence searches in criminal investigations. The Dive Team responds to calls for service in lakes, canals, and swift water rescue operations.

The Sheriff’s Dive Team conducts monthly training operations. To join deputies must  successfully complete a rigorous testing process.

The test includes a 1500 yard swim, a 200 yard swim, a 50 yard swim (while wearing a 15lb weight belt) followed by a 25 yard underwater swim. Applicants must also be able to tread water for 10 minutes and then immediately after, tread water for an additional 30 seconds using their legs only. Once a candidate passes the swim test and is approved by an oral review board, he or she then undergoes dive training to become certified.