Central Alberta Rescue Diving Society

Introduction

The Central Alberta Rescue Diving Society (CARDS), also known as the Underwater Search Team, is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to providing specialized diving services for evidence, vehicle, and body recovery. The organization was established in 2013 and operates primarily in Alberta.

Purpose and Activities

The Central Alberta Rescue Diving Society focuses on various aspects of underwater recovery and investigation. Their primary goals include:

• Evidence and Body Recovery: The team is trained to recover evidence needed for criminal investigations and to perform body recoveries in waterways. This involves public safety diving and underwater criminal investigation techniques.
• Vehicle and Vessel Recovery: They work to retrieve vehicles and vessels that have sunk in lakes or rivers, helping to prevent waterway pollution from gasoline and oil spills.
• Environmental Protection: By recovering polluting vehicles and equipment, CARDS helps maintain the cleanliness of Alberta's waterways.

Training and Operations

The organization consists of divers trained in rescue diving and public safety diving techniques. They also employ safety divers, backup divers, sonar operators, and remote-operated vehicle (ROV) operators to ensure safe and effective recovery operations. Additionally, the team includes roles such as tenders and boat operators to support their missions.

Legal Status

CARDS is registered as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) under the business number 848678033RR0001. This designation allows them to issue tax receipts to donors, supporting their financial sustainability and enabling contributions to be tax-deductible.

Community Impact

Since its inception, CARDS has become an essential resource for families and law enforcement agencies in Alberta. The organization relies on donations and fundraising to maintain their operations and equipment, reflecting their commitment to serving the community without leaving individuals feeling uncertain or helpless during times of loss.

Roles and Opportunities

The Central Alberta Rescue Diving Society is actively involved in recruiting qualified members to expand their capabilities. They seek individuals with specialized training in diving and related support roles. This includes divers, safety personnel, and administrative staff. Volunteering or joining the organization supports their mission to provide valuable community services.

[1] https://underwatersearchteam.com [2] https://www.thescubanews.com/2025/04/13/introducing-albertas-underwater-search-team-central-alberta-rescue-diving-society/ [3] https://www.whatsyourshare.ca/community-visionaries-central-alberta-rescue-diving-society [4] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/central-alberta-rescue-diving-society/ [5] https://pub-wetaskiwincounty.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=21853