In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Dan Leary, USCG Pilot. Dan and I recap some of his memorable moments as a pilot in the US Coast Guard. His first rescue was out of Traverse City, Michigan for a jet skier who ran out of gas after trying to cross one of the Great Lakes. Or as he would say, it was a rescue call where “we [were] just a speed bump to the process of evolution.” He also remembers a rescue while he was on deployment to the Caribbean where someone had fallen about 80 fe...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 10 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Bradley Pigage USCG RS 646. Brad and I get to review some of the rescues that stood out to him. He tells us about his first rescue where he was launched out for a capsized catamaran and one guy in the water. After that, we get into the awards that he has earned, which include the Coast Guard Achievement Medal out of Kodiak, Alaska for two hunters in distress; two separate Coast Guard Commendation Medals, one was out of Houston, TX and the other ...
Oct 25, 2022•2 hr 15 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Kendall Garran, USCG Pilot. Kendall and I got the opportunity to reconnect as well as go over some of her very memorable rescues. It just so happens that she and I were on the F/V Galaxy rescue together. We recap that crazy night and Kendall gives her version of the story. Before we get into that though, we go over quite a few memorable moments of her career. These stories involve her first rescue off of a cruise ship. She also discusses her inv...
Oct 19, 2022•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Adrian “Nick” O’Hara, winchman and winch operator for The Irish Coast Guard. Nick and I get deep into some of his rescues that he’s had throughout his career. His first memorable rescue was a fisherman stuck on the rocks in the middle of a river. Other rescue teams were present and had tied ropes to the man from both sides of the river. The next rescue we discussed was an injured mariner on a vessel in 8 meter (24 ft) waves. When the crew went t...
Oct 13, 2022•2 hr 21 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Ian Heikkila, USCG Flight Mech/Hoist Operator. Ian and I reconnected again since working together in Humboldt Bay, CA., with the USCG. Ian talks about when he came into the USCG and his first unit on a buoy tender, in Cordova, AK. He had his very first rescue on that boat, which took 48 hours to even get on scene. While stationed on the buoy tender, he was sent out for work task via helicopter which was then diverted for a SAR call. From that po...
Oct 06, 2022•1 hr 45 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by David Betts, Australian Rescue Crewman. Starting out as a “nipper” or junior lifeguard, this job opened the world of rescue to David. He went on to helicopter rescue, studied to be a paramedic, and then went on to be a winch operator. We talk about his very first rescue, which happened during a time when he wasn’t even on duty! There were stranded people surrounded by fire on a mountain. His training and qualifications took him to England as a l...
Sep 29, 2022•1 hr 25 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are once again joined by Bill Moss, aka Red Dogg, Navy Rescue Swimmer. Red Dogg gives us a bit of a history lesson about the Navy and the creation of HC5 Det 6. He talks about his role in the creation of the program and how his crews and capabilities helped change the overall mission plan and execution. The operation was capable of more than assisting getting personnel on deck and Red Dogg was able to demonstrate how they could be a huge asset from the air. H...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Army National Guard Pilots Joe Rosamond, Brady Hlebain (CH-47) and Kipp Goding (H60). They take us through one of the days of California's Creek Fire disaster and rescue efforts. On this particular day, two helicopter crews helped rescue thirty families trapped near Mammoth Lakes in CA. Flying through smoke and ash and landing in an area surrounded by fire, this rescue did not end in just one trip. They flew in and out of the location three sepa...
Sep 15, 2022•1 hr 16 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are once again joined by Steve Hathaway, USCG RS 39. With a second conversation, we were able to hear about many more of his rescues throughout his career. Since he was one of the first Rescue Swimmers to be implementing the program, he was on call as ready crew, A LOT. With stories from Sitka, Alaska, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Barbers Point, Hawaii, and Savannah, Georgia, we are able to hear about all sorts of different scenarios. Enjoy! https://therealresq.c...
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 38 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by pilot Yogi Dorelis. Yogi is a unique US military service member. He has been in four different services and flown for three of them. He started with the Marine Corps, went to the Navy, then to the Army National Guard, and finally to the Air Force, where he finished with thirteen years of flying combat rescues. As we go over some of his crazy career between these services, he tells of one rescue that earned him a Distinguished Flying Cross, a com...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 17 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Drew Dazzo USCG RS 523. Drew takes us though a few very memorable rescues that he had throughout his career. The first one that he talks about is one that he will never forget. He was out on the beach and a wave caught his daughter and pulled her out with it. Without panic or worry, he sprung into action and grabbed her. Next, we get into his deployment on the USCGC Boutwell. As a part of the aircrew deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Op...
Aug 25, 2022•1 hr 47 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Neil Johnson, USN RS. Neil recaps his three year enlistment in the Navy with some incredible stories. He tells us about the Mayday call for a pilot who needed to eject during his very first rescue. His second rescue was while he and his crew were flying Starboard/Deltas (in circles) covering all flight ops on the aircraft carrier. As they were in orbit, they watched the helo in front of them crash into the water. Again, Neil was ready to go and ...
Aug 18, 2022•1 hr 20 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore LT Josh Tassone (again), AWSC Jesse Peterson and HM1 Tyler Hodge. They tell us all about the Creek fire in CA that earned them a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). They tell us of their first rescue during this crazy event at 11,500ft where they flew through thick smoke and ash to rescue a couple hikers that got surrounded by the fire. The next day they were called out again for more people that were surrounded by ...
Aug 11, 2022•1 hr 30 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Captain David Shoemaker. He was Captain of the Fishing Vessel (F/V) Galaxy and the last person I rescued off the ship and out of the Bering sea. David and I relive this incredible story from the very beginning. He brings us through what happened and explains what he and his crew went through on that tragic day. As we go over what happened on 20OCT2002, we talk about the event as though it was yesterday. Our memories are still vivid. It was amazi...
Aug 04, 2022•2 hr 7 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, Mel and I recap my biggest rescue where I earned my Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). An explosion on the Fishing Vessel (F/V) Galaxy which crippled the vessel in the middle of the Bering Sea. With a two hour transit time to get on scene, we had a lot to discuss when COMMSTA Kodiak told us everyone abandoned ship and there were twenty six (26) people in the water. As Mel and I go over all the details of this rescue, I am reminded how impactful this rescue was fo...
Jul 28, 2022•1 hr 11 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Tyler Boeddeker, US Navy Rescue Swimmer. Tyler tells an incredible story and is one that we don’t hear about often because it doesn’t happen very often. He was able to do exactly what he was trained for. As he and his crew were flying in patterns at the ready, the call came over the radio. An aircraft coming back to the ship had an emergency. Tyler and his crew watched as the incoming aircraft was having trouble. The two pilots in the plane punc...
Jul 21, 2022•49 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Dr. Chris Hewitt, Prehospital and Emergency Medicine Physician. Chris gives us a different perspective as the Medical Director from his background. He tells us of a story where he ran some of his junior medics through a tough scenario which turned into a real life save scenario six months later. With his type of training scenarios, he looks for his medics to “make a decision that's heading toward right.” We then get into a story about when he wa...
Jul 15, 2022•1 hr 27 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Edwin Hannah, USCG RS 450. Ed had an incredible career in the Coast Guard. As we get into our conversation, he takes us through some of the rescues that stand out to him. One of them was the rescue of a vessel that sank with Ed saving five lives, thus earning him a Coast Guard Achievement Medal. He tells us his crazy stories from Hurricane Katrina, which earned him another Coast Guard Achievement Medal. We go over a rescue that earned him a Coas...
Jul 09, 2022•1 hr 52 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by John Blown from Vancouver Canada. John is a hoist operator for Talon Helicopters and the Air Operations Coordinator with North Shore Rescue. With his 20 years of doing volunteer Search and Rescue and the teams running hundreds of calls every year, he definity remembers a few rescues that he has done. His very first rescue was climbing a mountain in the middle of the night. He and his team were following another team of climbers up to the victim’...
Jul 03, 2022•1 hr 28 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Kurt De Boeck and Filip Windles, Search and Rescue Divers from the Belgian Air Force. As we start talking about their first rescues, Filip begins by detailing his case which involved performing CPR. For Kurt’s first rescue, Filip was with him as his instructor. Kurt recalls Filip looking at him and saying, “You’ve got it”. Filip tells a few more stories that stand out to him. One of his stories had me in awe. He dove into a capsized vessel and f...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Thomas Cooney, USCG RS 28. Before we get into some of his crazy rescues, we go way back in time and Thomas talks about how the Coast Guard always naturally integrated into his life. As we talk about the different moments in time, Thomas gives us a bit of a history lesson. We take a walk down memory lane and he recalls his first memorable call out in San Francisco with a plane crash. He talks about a rescue where he saved three lives, earning him...
Jun 21, 2022•2 hr 31 min
In this ASTerisk episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Mike Fox from Onboard Systems. We get deep in the weeds with rules and regulations for the manufacturers of Human External Cargo (HEC). We talk about what his company does and continues to do in order to make the best cargo hook on the market. We talk about all sorts of applications for the cargo hook and the regulatory side of the dual cargo hook system. Moreover, we specifically get into the HEC side of things and discuss a few rescue...
Jun 15, 2022•59 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by David Weber - National Park Ranger, Paramedic, and Climbing Ranger. David splits his time between Teton National Park, WY and Denali National Park, AK. One of the first rescues he talks about was one of the first stories he remembers as a rescueman. The patient was injured in a location that was a far way up the river and trail. After an eight hour hike out, the patient was carried out on a litter. Then we get into a few stories that Dave rememb...
Jun 08, 2022•1 hr 31 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we have the honor and privilege to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Finnish Border Guard Rescue Swimmer Program. The Finnish Border Guard created an Air Patrol Squadron in 1981. After a few years of flying, they decided they needed Rescue Swimmers. On 01JUN1982, the Finnish Border Guard created their Rescue Swimmer Program. Without any formal training, instruction, or even knowing what they needed, Juha Raatikainen (JP) became Finnish Border Guard Rescue Swimme...
Jun 01, 2022•1 hr 51 min
In this special Memorial Day episode of The Real ResQ, we reflect and honor some of those who have fallen while serving The United States of America. This episode is dedicated to our finned brother Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge USCG RS #404, who lost his life in the crash of the 6535 along with Pilot, Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, Co-Pilot Lt. j.g. Thomas Cameron, and Flight Mechanic Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew "Drew" Knight. In this episode, we are joined by a few people that knew and had a cl...
May 28, 2022•1 hr 43 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Frank Breese, firefighter, paramedic, Army National Guard, and more. Being a 22 year paramedic, Frank has been there and done that. While he was in the Army, he did a tour in Iraq during the war as a Combat Medic. During that tour he completed 80 combat medical missions, 125 combat flight hours and earned himself two Air Medals. One mission that stands out to him was a rescue call out for a FOB (Forward Operating Base) that was hit during a sand...
May 16, 2022•1 hr 19 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Jason Hawes, USN Rescue Swimmer. While he served only four years in the Navy, he earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and was recognized by the city of Roanoke, VA. He describes a rescue that is definitely one that he will never forget. He walks us through this incredible call out for a helicopter crash off his ship in twelve foot waves. When the alarm sounded, the first thought was, “this is just another drill.” Then they come up on...
May 10, 2022•59 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Steve Farris and Danny Casanova from Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. They bring us through a rescue that happened a week before the recording. They were responding to a missing person call of a man who had fallen out of a canoe and tried to walk back home. However, when he got himself lost in thick woods, it turned into a search for a missing person. After 44 hours of being missing, the crews on the ground found him and called the helicopter i...
May 04, 2022•29 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Kenneth Smith, USN Rescue Swimmer. From the very start of Rescue Swimmer school, even though he was cracked in the face and was bleeding in the pool, Ken knew that this was the job for him! He shared amazing stories from throughout his entire career. Cases highlighted included being deployed to the water to look for an aircraft part that may have been thrown overboard and a year later another bit of a crazy occurred when he was deployed to the w...
Apr 28, 2022•2 hr 13 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Ashton Levarek, USCG RS 533 and Air Force PJ. Ashton talks about his first rescue as a USCG Rescue Swimmer, which was an overdue vessel where a boat was stuck in the mud and slinging a shotgun over the shoulder. He talks about getting called out for a patient that was hit in the face by a crowbar. He and his crew were launched out for a helicopter crash where they found some of the survivors floating after the crash. Next we transition into his ...
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 23 min
