FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Members of the Larimer County Dive Rescue team, or LCDRT, say their busy season lands between fall and spring.
That's because that’s when layers of ice on local bodies of water can begin to thaw.
LCDRT members were at Fort Collins’ Horsetooth Reservoir Sunday morning, practicing ice diving near South Beach.
“Ice diving is actually the most dangerous thing that this team will actually do,” said Todd Evans. He’s volunteered with LCDRT for the last three years.
The 35-degree water is enough to keep most people away, but it’s not uncommon for someone to fall through the thinning ice.
In Larimer County, it’s a crew of trained volunteers with LCDRT who answer the call when tragedy strikes.
“The best calls we have are the ones we don’t go on,” said Bruce Lobmeyer, one of the longest standing members of LCDRT with 15 years of experience under his belt.
Lobmeyer told Denver7 that his real job pays the bills, but he’s able to pay it forward through volunteering.
“I take advantage of the gifts I was given from God, and the love of my diving, to go out there and do these things. Things like rescue and recovery."
Lobmeyer said if a victim is unfortunately lost, his job turns to bringing closure to a grieving family.
“Those are struggles for us as a team. We have to get through those,” he said.
Other crew members told Denver7 that Lobmeyer is a man of many hats. He is also a volunteer firefighter with Poudre Fire Authority.
“I don’t know how he does it, but he does get it all done,” said Todd Evans.
Like Lobmeyer and Evans, members of LCDRT are all volunteers. You can join the team, learn more about their rescue and recovery efforts, or donate to their cause here.
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