Home                                                                                                                                                         Back To STAT

Find out more about:

Walt "Butch" Hendrick

Andrea Zaferes

David Holland

Cameron Jones

Tammy Acosta

Meet our Security Staff

E-Mail: LGS@TeamLGS.com

As President & Founder of Lifeguard Systems, Butch has been teaching, developing rescue procedures and performing surface and subsurface water rescues for over 30 years in 15 countries. He and his family served as the main water rescue team off San Juan where they had one of the first dive resorts. At a young age Butch treated divers in the only civilian hyperbaric chamber in the Caribbean, which his family established. He recovered his first body at age 16, and developed a strong reputation for saving and recovering drowning victims.

In the 1970's Butch established the training program, and conducted the dive training for FDNY Rescue Companies dive teams, including, in 1991, the FDNY diver instructor training course. He has trained other noted teams such as FDNY Rescue Companies, U.S. Parks Dept., Washington DC FAA, South African Paramedics Dive Team, and hundreds other fire, police, EMS, and military teams.

Certifying Agencies

• American Canadian Underwater Certifications Master Course Director #501US
• (1968) National Association of Underwater Instructors #1724L and NAUI Course Director
• (1969) Professional Association of Diving Instructors #2382
• Divers Alert Network Oxygen Provider Instructor #068 (Inactive)
• NASAR Water Rescue Instructor
• American Red Cross Basic Life-support Instructor (Inactive)
• New York State EMT (expired)
• 50-Ton U.S. Coast Guard Approved Captain (expired)
• Ulster County Deputy Sheriff, part time

Past Positions

• 1966-68 U.S. Navy
• 1968 San Juan Rescue Squad, Puerto Rico Developer and Training Director
• 1968-70 Puerto Rico International Undersea Laboratories Training Officer and Safety Coordinator
• 1969-70 University of Puerto Rico Safety Back-up and Recompression Chamber Tender
• 1978 U.S. Green Berets Safety Coordinator for the Diver Trainer Program
• 1978, 1981-86 NASAR Contributor, Lecturer and Eastern Regional Director
• 1981-85 Sports Rites Club & British Sub-Aqua Club Safety Advisor
• 1978-88 Developer and Trainer for FDNY Rescue Companies’ Dive Team
• 1988-present Underwater Society of America Safety Chairman
• On the Board of Directors for several agencies including NAUI, and ANSI.

Received:

• The International Leonard Greenstone Award for Major Contribution to Diving Safety
• Four NAUI Outstanding Contributions to Diving Awards
• The first Divers Alert Network/Rolex Diver of the Year Award for Diving Safety
• Beneath the Sea/Underwater Society of America Diver of the Year Award for Diving Education
• Underwater Canada Rogues’ Gallery inductee
• British Sub-Aqua Club Outstanding Contribution to Diving Safety Award
• Ontario Underwater Council Outstanding Recognition Award
• South African Paramedics Achievement Award
• Boston Sea Rover Lifetime Achievement Award

Speaker at the following conferences:

• Beneath the Sea
• Boston Sea Rover
• Our World-Underwater
• NAUI North Atlantic Annual Conference
• NAUI Underwater Education Conference

• British Sub-Aqua Club annual conference
• Camden University of Medicine and Dentistry Rescue Operations Conference
• Diving Equipment Manufacturer Association Annual Convention
• Let’s Get Wet Montreal Show
• The Living Seas - EPCOT Center/Disney World
• New Jersey Dive Council
• NASAR Annual Conference
• Dive Med, South Africa
• Marine Medicine Conference, San Diego
• European Life-Saving Association International Congress on Rescue
• International Police Diving Symposium

Has written and produced the following audiovisual programs:

• Blackwater Contingency Procedures
• Flooding of a Drysuit
• Rapid Drysuit Dressing
• Training of a Rescue Diver
• Scuba Instructor Readiness Series, a ten-hour audiovisual and 700 page Workbook/Answerbook
• Buoyancy Control
• Surface Ice Rescue
• Field Neurological Evaluation

• contributed to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Manual, Second and Third Editions
• How to Drownproof Yourself , for U.S. Coast Guard

• Co-authored several books with Zaferes:

Homicide By Drowning (with Craig Nelson also)

Field Neurological Guide and Workbook

Ice Diving Operations

Oxygen & the Scuba Diver

Scuba Instructor Readiness Series 10 hr video and 700 page workbook

• Public Safety Diving Operations, by Walt Butch Hendrick, Andrea Zaferes, and Craig Nelson (in publication) Fire Engineering PennWell Publishing, (approx. 600 pages)
• Surface Ice Rescue by Walt "Butch" Hendrick and Andrea Zaferes, (1999) Fire Engineering PennWell Publishing, Saddle Brook, NJ, 214 pages
• Public Safety Diver Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines, (1994, 1998) by Hendrick, Zaferes, & MacKay (45 pages)
• Contributing Editor for Sources Magazine and the Dive Journal
• Sr. Technical Editor for SORTIE and RIPTIDE rescue & recovery water operations magazines
• Reviewed the National Fire Protection Agency water operations Document 1670, with several accepted review suggestions.

Publishes an average of 12 articles annually. Journals Include:

• The Dive Journal -Contributing Editor
• Fire Engineering - former Contributing Editor
• Technical Rescue
• Sources, the NAUI Instructor Journal - Contributing Editor
• Undersea Journal, the PADI Instructor Journal
• Underwater USA
• SORTIE

Certification Training Programs Written and Currently Taught

Surface Rescue Programs:

• Surface Ice Rescue Awareness
• Surface Ice Rescue Operations
• Surface Ice Rescue Technician I, II, III
• Surface Ice Rescue Technician Instructor
• Small Boat Handling Surface Rescue
• Whitewater Rescue
• Surf Rescue
• Ocean Rescue
• Drownproofing Turnout Gear

Diving Rescue and Recovery Programs:

• Rapid Deployment Search & Rescue I, II
• Underwater Vehicle Extrication I, II
• Large Area Search I, with Sleds, II
• Blackwater and Fastwater Rescue
• Ice Diving Rescue/Recovery
• Ice Diving Underwater Vehicle Extrication
• Deep Water Rescue/Recovery
• Ocean Rescue/Recovery
• Rapid Deployment Drysuit Training
• Shark Attack Rescue
• Field Neurological Evaluation
• Underwater Investigations, Homicide by Drowning
• Buoyancy Control for Underwater Crime Scene Investigation
• Oxygen Administration Programs for Divers (Begun in the early 1970’s)
• Scuba Instructor Training
• Scuba Instructor Trainer Training

Equipment Design

• Lifeguard Systems Public Safety Diver Buoyancy Compensator
• Lifeguard Systems Tethered Diving Contingency Line
• Lifeguard Systems Water Rescue Harness
• Lifeguard Systems Rescue Throw Rope Bag
• Design consultant for MARSARS water rescue equipment
• Consultant for Simulaids Mannequins

Procedures: Hendrick has developed hundreds of effective, state-of-the-art, rescue techniques and procedures. To just name a few:

• Do-si-do tow and In-Water Rescue Breathing, first demonstrated at Temple University in 1967
• Blackwater Contingency Hand Signals
• Dual Harness Tether Point System for Surface Ice Rescue
• Designated Area Diving for Ice Diving Operations
• The Lifeguard Systems Field Neuro Exam
• and so much more!

Expert Legal Witness

Defending Divemasters, Instructors, and injured Public Safety Divers

Many water and ice accident victims around the world are alive today because of Walt Hendrick’s innovations, training programs, publications, audiovisuals, equipment designs, public speaking, and actual rescue efforts.

E-Mail: az@teamlgs.com

Andrea began teaching diving with Dr. Lee Somers and Karl Huggins at the University of Michigan’s Scientific Diving Program. She served as a Diving Safety Officer for the American Museum of Natural History’s Animal Behavior Research Department, and had three research papers published by the age of 22. She took her first diving rescue course at age 16 with Walt Butch Hendrick. Since that time she has become Vice President of Lifeguard Systems Inc. and RIPTIDE Inc, a course director and instructor trainer, a well published author, a noted public speaker, an award winner, a program designer, and is one of the leading trainers in the international water rescue and recovery industries today.

Andrea teaches over hundreds of police, fire, EMS, military, and USCG personnel annually throughout the U.S., Canada, Asia, and Caribbean.

Certifying Agencies

l          American Canadian Underwater Certifications: Master Course Director #502US

l          National Association of Underwater Instructors: Instructor  #10533 and Course Director

l          Professional Association of Diving Instructors: Instructor #64142

l          Divers Alert Network Oxygen Provider Instructor #069 (Inactive)

l          American Red Cross Basic Life-support and First Aid Instructor (Inactive)

l          New York State EMT-D #141330

l          State of Connecticut Law Enforcement Trainer

 Education

·          1987: University of Michigan, BA in Psychology, graduated with Highest Honors and Distinction

·          1988: Emergency Medical Technician Certification Course, New York State

·          1989: National Association of Underwater Instructor Training Course, FDNY Rescue

·          1990: Nitrox Diver Course (Ed Betts), NY

·          1993, Professional Association of Diving Instructor Training Course, Bonaire, Netherland Antilles

·          1993: Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine National Certification Course, Dr. Eric Kindwall, NY

·          1994, audited, Human Pathophysiology, SUNY New Paltz

·          1996: NAUI Course Director Course

·          1997: PADI Cavern Specialty Course, Akumel, Mexico

·          1998: COSAR Swiftwater Personal Watercraft Program, CA

·          1998: Underwater EOD recovery course, Edmond, OK

·          1999: Underwater Investigation 1-day course by Corporeal Teather, FL

·          2000: Criminal Justice 101, Ulster County Community College, NY

·          2000: Statement Analysis: Five-day program, Ocean County Police Academy, NJ

·          2001: Underwater Investigator 2-day course, Toronto, Canada

·          2001: Water-related death Investigator 1 day, Toronto, Canada

·          2003: OTS AGA full face mask Repair Technician

 Received:

·          1987 Recognition for over 1,000 hours to the American Museum of Natural History Comparative Psychology Laboratory – as a researcher and diving safety officer in NY and P.R.

·          1992 NAUI Outstanding Contributions to Diving Award

·          First woman to receive the Beneath the Sea/Underwater Society of America Diver of the Year Award for Diving Education

·          Underwater Canada Rogues’ Gallery inductee

·          1997 nominated for the International Leonard Greenstone Award

·          1999 NAUI Pacific Rim Outstanding & Supporting Service Award

·          1999 EMT of the Year Award, Marbletown First Aid Unit

·          2000 Charter Member Inductee to the Women Divers Hall of Fame

·          2001 Malaysian Fire & Rescue Recognition Award for Education

·          2003 D.A.N. – Rolex Diver of the Year Award

Speaker at the following conferences (not all inclusive):

·          2001 Nov 7, Water-Related Death Investigator, Toronto, Canada

·          International Police Diving Symposium (first woman speaker 1999, Master of Ceremonies 2001), Hamilton, Ontario – Homicidal drowning.

·          Instructor in the Underwater Explosive Recovery Specialist Course, Edmond PD, OK

·          International Association of Dive Rescue Specialists, NY

·          Beneath the Sea, NY, NJ

·          Boston Sea Rover Dive Show. MA

·          Our World-Underwater, Chicago, IL

·          Underwater Canada, Toronto

·          NAUI North Atlantic Annual Conference, RI

·          NAUI Underwater Education Conference, PA, FL

·          Camden University of Medicine and Dentistry Rescue Operations Conferences, NJ

·          Eastern Psychological Association, Boston

·          International Comparative Psychological Association, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico

·          Diving Equipment Manufacturer Association Annual Convention, FL, NV, TX, LA

·          Pittsburgh Fire Chief Convention

·          New Jersey Winter Emergencies Conference

·          Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society Great Lakes Chapter Conference, Canada

·          Spec Op Military Expo, Little Creek, VA

·          Fire Department Instructor Conference (FDIC), Fire Engineering Magazine, Indianapolis

·          Hyperbaric Medicine Workshop, Advanced Wound Therapy and Hyperbaric Center, NY

·          Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society, Great Lakes Chapter, Toronto

·          New York State Fire Chiefs Expo, Syracuse, NY

·          NAUI Asia International Conference on Diving Education, Kuala Lumpur

·          World Drowning Congress, Amsterdam (2002), Homicidal Drowning; Children and Diving

·          Westchester Medical Center Dive Safety Conference (2003)

 Publications – journal articles, audiovisuals, and books:

·          At least 12 articles published annually

·          Co-authored several books with Hendrick:

Homicide By Drowning

Field Neurological Guide and Workbook

Oxygen & the Scuba Diver

Scuba Instructor Readiness Series 10 hour video and 700 page workbook

·          Public Safety Diving Operations, by Walt Butch Hendrick, Andrea Zaferes, and Craig Nelson) Fire Engineering Pennwell Publishing, 2000, 340 pgs

·          Surface Ice Rescue by Walt “Butch” Hendrick and Andrea Zaferes, (1999) Fire Engineering PennWell Publishing, Tulsa, 214 pages

·          Ice Diving Operations by Hendrick & Zaferes (2003) PennWell Publishing, 540 pages

·          Public Safety Diver Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines, (1994, 1998) by Hendrick, Zaferes, & MacKay (45 pages)

·          Contributing Editor for Sources Magazine and the Dive Journal

·          Managing Editor for SORTIE, rescue & recovery water operations

·          Co-wrote and produced several audiovisuals with Hendrick including Surface Ice Rescue, Field Neurological Evaluation, Blackwater Contingency, and Training of a Rescue Diver.

·          Reviewed the National Fire Protection Agency water operations Document 1670, with several accepted review suggestions.

·          Editor and publisher of RIPTIDE e-zine

 Expert Legal Witness Assistant for scuba diving related fatalities

For earlier cases please call.

2002: Schiner vs Riz-Carlton Hotel

2003: Granger vs Whitlock

 Positions

1981-7, Served as the diving safety officer and a researcher for the American Museum of Natural History comparative psychology department, publishing three research papers.

1983-7 University of Michigan Scientific Diver Teaching Assistant

1984-7   Diver’s Inc. Ann Arbor, MI served as a divemaster during open water courses

1988- 1992, scuba instructor for Scuba World, New York, NY

1989- present, squad leader EMT for Marbletown First Aid Unit, Marbletown NY

1990- present, instructor trainer and rescue/recovery instructor for Lifeguard Systems, currently serves as Vice President

1994-6, Served as education chairperson and secretary for the Beneath the Sea Hyperbaric Center at St. Agnes Hospital, NY

1997-8 Managing Editor, SORTIE Magazine1997-present,

1996 to present: Member and trainer of the Ulster County Sheriff Office Dive Team

1998 - present, Vice President of RIPTIDE, Inc. (501C3 corporation) – assisting law enforcement agencies with homicidal drowning investigations

1998 to present, producer and manager of wateroperations/RIPTIDE public safety water operations, on-line discussion group

1999 to present. Managing editor and Producer of RIPTIDE e-zine

 Memberships

Underwater Society of America

Women Diving Hall of Fame – charter inductee

Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society (associate member)

 Public Safety Certification Courses – wrote with Hendrick and currently teach

Public Safety Diver Phase I Instructor Training Course

Public Safety Diver Phase II Instructor Training Course

Rapid Deployment Search & Rescue/Recovery I, II

Homicidal Drowning Investigations

Underwater Investigations

Underwater Vehicle Extrication

Large Area Search & Boat Operational Diving

Ice Diving Operations I, II

Surface Ice Rescue I, II

Surface Ice Rescue Instructor Training Course

Small Boat and Personal Watercraft Surface Rescue Operations

Field Neurological Evaluation and Instructor Training Program

Drownproofing Turnout Gear

STAT (anti-terrorism hull/bridge searching) - pending

 Sport Certification Courses – wrote with Hendrick and currently teach

Instructor Training Course for NAUI and ACUC

Instructor Preparatory Program

Advanced Teaching Techniques

Diving Rescue Techniques I, II

Oxygen Administration and Field Neurological Evaluation

Buoyancy Control I, II, III

Buoyancy Control Instructor Training

 Resort and other Professional training programs – wrote with Hendrick and currently teach

Amusement Park Water Show Safety and Water Rescue

Shark Attack Rescue Training

Rescue Challenge – Leadership Level Rescue for divemasters and instructors

Resort staff basic life support and first aid

Resort emergency action planning

 Assist on homicidal Drowning investigations since 1999

For specific cases please call

Andrea, Vice President of Lifeguard Systems and RIPTIDE, a NAUI & ACUC course director, and a PADI, DAN, and Red Cross Instructor, teaches approximately 1000 surface rescue and dive personnel annually. She co-authored with Walt Hendrick such videos and books as Surface Ice Rescue, Scuba Instructor Readiness Series, Field Neurological Evaluations, Public Safety Dive Operations, Blackwater Contingency, and Homicidal Drowning Investigator, was the managing editor of SORTIE Magazine, she manages the www.wateroperation.com discussion group, and has over 100 published articles. She is a noted public speaker, is an award winner, and is a NYS EMT. Her main mission is to keep you alive and well.

Contact us at: LGS@TeamLGS.com

Lifeguard Systems, Inc.         Box 594   Shokan, NY 12481        

Phone: 845-657-5544

Fax: 845-657-5549

Copyright © 1998  Lifeguard Systems, Inc.            
Last modified: July 11, 2006