Alvin and Hans In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Alvin Fyhn and Hans Jonas from Norway. I was so excited that Alvin and Hans agreed to come on and talk to me about a crazy case that they had, a mission involving over 1,000 cruise ship passengers. This is quite the story to hear as we not only hear about massive waves and the technicalities of a stranded cruise ship but also new learnings discovered when rescuing a large number of people, some older and coming with electric wheel...
Oct 26, 2021•1 hr 6 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, I sit down and have an amazing conversation with my first RS Senior Chief, USCG Rescue Swimmer #126, Olaf Leavelle. I met Olaf when I was 21 years old, stationed up in Kodiak, Alaska. He taught me many skills and lifelong lessons. One of the things that I appreciate about Olaf is his strong and humorous personality, both of which can be heard throughout this episode. He gets real with us talking about his career, his experiences, and some of his memorable cases....
Oct 22, 2021•1 hr 24 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, I have the privilege of speaking to Claire Nelson, survivor and author of the book, “Things I Learned From Falling”. In episode 44, Mike Calhoun spoke about a hiking victim that he and the Riverside Sheriff’s Department were called out to rescue after she fell 20 feet, leaving her stranded in the desert for 4 days. That victim, that survivor, is Claire Nelson and she is here with us to tell her side of the story. In one of these rare moments, we are able to hear...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, Paul “Ernie” Bryant joins us from New Zealand. He brings us stories from his over twenty four years of experience and his 3862 missions as an EMS/SAR crewman/winch operator. He tells us some of his most memorable rescues (or “jobs”) that he has been on. We take time to discuss Crew Resource Management (CRM). With his 8000 flight hours as a crewman, he is very passionate about CRM because it has saved his life and other crew members he has flown with. Enjoy! http...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 24 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, Ken Kiest joins us to talk about his dynamic career as USCG Rescue Swimmer #253. This episode is chock-full of energy! Ken speaks passionately about his compelling career as a swimmer, company commander, and an instructor, learning and mentoring this craft since he was a teenager. I had a great time talking to Ken about quite a few of his moments in the USCG. It was impressive to hear the variety of cases that Ken shared, some as simple as how dentures were used...
Oct 10, 2021•1 hr 28 min
In this ASTerisk episode of The Real ResQ, 7X Crossfit Games Athlete, Travis Mayer joins me to talk about fitness, recovery, and living a healthy lifestyle. While the craft and skill sets of those in search and rescue appear on the surface to be vastly different than those of a Professional Athlete, the two careers have commonalities, both physically and mentally. Without a healthy lifestyle and the self motivation to push the body to the limits, we cannot do our job at the capacity needed to be...
Oct 06, 2021•1 hr 18 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are one again joined by USCG Rescue Swimmer #363 Jimmy Farmer. 18 years after Jimmy rescued Larry Lafont from the water after a helicopter crash, the two were put in contact with one another and are here with me today to share their incredible story. While working for a large, private oil company in Louisiana, Larry found himself in a helicopter surrounded by heavy fog. The greatest part of this episode is that we are able to hear Larry’s perspective of being...
Oct 02, 2021•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by USCG Rescue Swimmer #363 Jimmy Farmer. He shares some of his crazy rescues as we discuss his amazing career. We talk about the Air Medal that he earned for his actions in Hurricane Katrina, a storm so devastating that without Jimmy and crew, 54 lives would not have been saved. In addition to the many people stuck on roof tops, Jimmy shares an incredible story about spotting one single hand waving from a roof top vent. We also talk a bit about th...
Sep 28, 2021•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Aspen Wilkes, a co-founder of Women In Rescue. She shares her stories of climbing accidents and families that have an unfortunate event which takes 17 hours to evacuate. How the power of the volunteer rescue teams make such a big impact for those of us out on the trails. We also get into the ‘Women In Rescue’ page where she and Cassy have created a global connection to all the women in the world that do rescue work. Enjoy! https://www.facebook.c...
Sep 24, 2021•49 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by a Navy Rescue crew stationed in central California at Lemoore Naval Air Station. They take us through an incredible rescue on Laurel Mountain located approximately 80 miles NNE of the Air Station. Working at 10,450 feet where the survivors were located, their crew had all sorts of different obstacles that affected the rescue mission. Dumping fuel, pulling 88% torque, limited to only 5 minutes on scene per evolution, a rappel in, a hoist out, it'...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 3 min
“The body achieves what the mind believes.” John Cheers/Dave Gray In the episode of The Real ResQ, we get to hear about an incredible career from USCG Rescue Swimmer 288, Dave Gray. He takes us through all sorts of different SAR cases he had. Which from the first duty day, flying four SAR cases just that day to hurricane Katrina where he dealt with the crazy unexpected from us on the rescue side of things. We talk about the importance of standardization and when he was part of the USCG Stan Team...
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 30 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ we sit down with French pilot, Terry Didat. He flew with the French Navy and the French Coast Guard. Which according to him go a bit hand in hand. He gives us a story of what happened to a boat that flipped upside down, a guy sitting on it and helping to guide the rescue helicopter to himself. We also talk about our training together and all the benefits for good training, CRM and why standards are important. Enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/therealresq https://ww...
Sep 12, 2021•54 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by pilot Mike Calhoun from the Riverside Sheriff's Department. Mike comes to us with the dual role and fascinating lens of both Deputy Sheriff and Chief Pilot for the RSD Aviation Unit. Throughout this conversation, you will hear several mind blowing stories that seem too crazy to be true. A twenty year plus veteran in law enforcement and aviation, Mike has seen his fair share of cases that would leave even the most seasoned rescueman stunned. One ...
Sep 08, 2021•1 hr 21 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Mrs. Jodi Williams, USCG Rescue Swimmer #587. Jodi and I had such a fun, interesting, enlightening, and honest conversation about her impressive career as a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer. Having a female perspective on the podcast is a huge benefit to those in the rescue community, as well as for those who are interested in joining this line of service. Jodi talks of lessons learned, memorable cases, rescuing patients three times her size, and bein...
Sep 04, 2021•1 hr 27 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ we are joined by Ben Darlington from Australia and the current president of EURORSA (Rescue Swimmer Association). He is a Rescue Swimmer and a Winch Operator and he tells us stories of people stranded at sea for thirty days and a helicopter that had to do an emergency landing in the water. We also talk about EURORSA and the great things they are doing. Plus the advantages it has brought to his own career in rescue. Enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/therealresq http...
Aug 31, 2021•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by an aviator who has had an impressive career beginning with the US Navy, to the NYPD, to a career overseas. Glenn Hoffman and I sit down and have an incredible conversation full of hilarious stories, serious stories, and stories that fall in between. Listen in to find out how topics such as Burger King hats and Tarzan swings could be in the same conversation as jet skies, NVGs, and plane crashes. Even though Glenn and I may disagree on who has th...
Aug 27, 2021•2 hr 9 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, my friend and fellow swimmer, George Cavallo returns for a second time! With such an impressive career as USCG RS #122, George has so many stories that we needed to have him back on the podcast. In this episode, he focuses on a case out of Kodiak, Alaska which earned him an Air Medal for saving the lives of three hypothermic fishermen. This case sounds pretty cut and dry as far as rescues up in Alaska go, however things can change quickly in such a frigid climat...
Aug 23, 2021•42 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Ebin Latimurti, a knowledgeable, professional, highly skilled paramedic, and owner/founder of EMS Unlimited . Throughout this interview, Ebin made several references to his skills not being quite the rescue stories usually heard on The Real ResQ Podcast. Ebin and all other essential medical workers with us at the scene play just as important of a role as those flying the aircraft, jumping out of the aircraft, fixing the aircraft, etc. Throughout...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 13 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, I am joined by my friend, Chris Gellene. Chris is a guy that I have taken a lot of good advice from and learned a ton from the civilian side of aviation. He also just so happens to be one of the best pilots I have flown with. He takes us through some of his career and some events that happen to him. Engine failure? Check. Landing on the water? Check. Stuck throttle? Check. Yes, Chris has experienced a lot! Listen as we get into these situations and see what he d...
Aug 15, 2021•2 hr 51 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, I am joined by another one of my A-School instructors, Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #5, Butch Flythe. As one of the first CG swimmers, Butch speaks to experiences when the program was still getting started; the days before we were used to our fullest potential. The range in which he was used as a swimmer was wide therefore he tells of cases that were elementary to ones that he will never forget. Want to understand the 10-80-10 theory? Listen in to hear Butch expla...
Aug 11, 2021•53 min
In this ASTerisk episode of The Real ResQ, Lenny Cunningham joins me again as we talk about the rules we follow for helicopter operations. We break them down and give the backstories for each of the rules. From the “pending words of wisdom from Laubo” to “the Rescue Falcon”. Enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/therealresq https://www.instagram.com/therealresq Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ; SR3 Rescue Concepts, https://sr3rescueconcepts.com/ Life Saving Systems Corp., https:/...
Aug 09, 2021•23 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by another one of my friends and mentors, someone that I have worked around the world with, Lenny Cunningham. From firefighter to ground ambulance paramedic to air ambulance FPC Paramedic, Lenny has seen a lot. He is one of only a few guys that can work in about every position in the back of the aircraft. We talk about all sorts of different medical calls and patients that he had throughout his career. Enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/therealresq ht...
Aug 08, 2021•52 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, I had the honor of speaking to a man who is not only a true professional, but someone who I have looked up to for years and consider a close friend, former Army pilot and current HEMS pilot, Gene Reynolds. As you listen to this episode, you will be in awe at the experiences and stories that Gene has to tell. His stories include war missions, life on a boat, human error in an aircraft, and an extremely personal story that will have you reaching for the tissues. E...
Aug 03, 2021•1 hr 40 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by USCG Rescue Swimmer #191, Ron Tremain. With a career as diverse as Ron's, it is very easy to be impressed by his stories and accomplishments. Ron was the first qualified USCG Rescue Swimmer in the state of Texas. He worked all around the United States and earned several awards for his meritorious service. Because of the vast area of service, Ron has great stories about rescues in different seas and situations. Ron has been the first guest who br...
Jul 30, 2021•1 hr 19 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we talk to Cory Titmus, prior USCG AMT. Cory knew from the moment he saw the Hoist Operator in the USCG Recruiting Video that he was going to be an AMT. Join us as he talks about his journey and several memorable cases that he's had throughout his career. Some cases ended with a good laugh while others were a bit tough to talk about. "It doesn't need to be perfect; it just needs to get done." https://www.facebook.com/therealresq https://www.instagram.com/thereal...
Jul 26, 2021•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Mr. Lonnie Mixon, the most decorated Pilot within the United States Coast Guard. It was a true honor speaking with Mr. Mixon and hearing about his distinguished military career. Throughout this interview, we talk about the many cases from around the world that earned Mr. Mixon a Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, eleven Air Medals amd more. Enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/therealresq https://www.instagram.com/therealresq Thank you fo...
Jul 22, 2021•49 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we hear some pretty powerful and serious stories told by one of my A School instructors, USCG RS #66, Mike O'Dell. This is an episode that will keep your emotions on high alert from start to finish. Talked about as a 'Trilogy of Tragedy', Mike faced some pretty intense cases within a short time span. Listen in as he discusses what he went through and how he was able to deal with and maintain the mental strength needed to carry on as a Rescue Swimmer. https://www...
Jul 18, 2021•1 hr 7 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, Sami Ollila from the Finland Border Guard is back speaking of memorable rescues that he has had over his decorated career. Our conversations cover topics from long falls to suicide attempts to iced over frigid seas. I was intrigued to hear about the training, techniques, and overall practices of other successful overseas organizations. Listen in and learn why this rescueman's work was referred to by a medical professional as being like "Rambo". Enjoy! https://ww...
Jul 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of the ASTerisk, we are joined by Finnish Border Guard, Air Patrol Squadron members, Sami Ollila and Risto Leino. As Rescue Swimmers and Paramedics, Sami and Risto are founding members of EURORSA, the Rescue Swimmer Association. While working search and rescue in Finland, these two men found themselves in an international situation that prompted them to establish EURORSA. Listen in as they discuss the path that brought them to EURORSA and the circumstances that they've found them...
Jul 10, 2021•50 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, my friend and mentor, Lane Abshire joins me for an engaging conversation about his career working as a flight paramedic. This episode is full of mind-blowing scenarios that don't happen often but when they happened to Lane, he handled them like a true champion. Amnesia, cruise ships, intubations, and an incoherent pilot make up this episode. Enjoy!. https://www.facebook.com/therealresq https://www.instagram.com/therealresq Thank you for sponsoring this episode o...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr
