The Bibb County Fire Department’s rescue divers were given access to new scuba equipment which they hope will help them save drowning victims, officials announced Tuesday.

Kenneth Meers and co-conspirators exploited a veteran education program “purely for their personal enrichment,” the DOJ said.

Michael Packard says he was trapped in the whale's mouth for 30 to 40 seconds before it tossed him back in the water, bruised but otherwise unharmed. Experts tell NPR such events are extremely rare.