In the wake of the tragic death of diver Barak Tzah, who was attacked by a shark near Hadera’s coastline, ZAKA’s specialized dive unit is already working to enhance its emergency response capabilities.
A Custom-Built Safety Cage
Chaim Otmazgin, commander of ZAKA’s dive unit, told Israeli news outlet Mako that his team is currently testing new equipment designed specifically for search and recovery operations in areas populated by sharks.
Among the innovations is a specially constructed protective cage, built to shield divers during missions in shark-prone waters.
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“The decision to build the cage came from the need to ensure diver safety during high-risk operations,” Otmazgin explained. “The cage offers divers a degree of protection while they search for missing persons or perform rescue missions.”
Upgraded Safety Features
The protective cage is currently undergoing refinement to improve stability and to include easily accessible emergency exits, allowing divers to quickly evacuate if necessary.
ZAKA emphasized that the goal is to ensure optimal handling of future incidents while maintaining the safety of rescue divers. The new cage is expected to be deployed operationally as soon as needed.
