MANAUS, Brazil — A firefighter drowned Saturday morning during a dive training exercise.
D24am reported that firefighter Israel Aidem Pereira, 40, with the Squad Fire Brigade of the State of Amazonas (CBMAM), already had the basic diving course and had just completed the advanced stage, which enabled him to make dives down to 25 feet deep.
Firefighter Pereira was under water for an extended period and was not communicating to crews on the surface, according to the report.
“When he came down, Israel arrested and was found unconscious,” Lt. Janderson Lopes said. “Upon returning to the surface, Israel had symptoms of cardiac arrest. Onsite, resuscitation procedures were made.”
He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Lt. Lopes stressed that the dive is a standard activity of the fire department, where they carry out tests until they are deemed fit to do the course, according to the report.
Firefighter Pereira had joined the department in October 2013 and was set to graduate the advanced diver course next Friday, according to the report.