In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Kelly Gordon, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer No. 02. Gordon shares his journey to becoming a rescue swimmer and talks about the early days of the rescue swimmer program. He talks about his experience in the Coast Guard, including close calls and significant events while flying in Astoria, Oregon. When talking about the earlier days of the rescue swimmer program, Gordon discusses the initial training and implementation of t...
May 22, 2024•1 hr 50 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by James Dahmer, rescue medic. Dahmer shares his background and talks about how he got into search-and-rescue (SAR). He also recounts some of his most memorable rescues, including a fatal resuscitation in the Tantalus Range, and a rescue where he had to perform CPR on a longline. This conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of SAR work in treacherous mountain environments. They discuss various incidents and challenges Dahmer...
May 15, 2024•2 hr 13 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, guest Tombo Jones chats with host Jason Quinn. Jones is a former United States Army pilot and Coast Guard pilot, currently director of the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership. Jones shares his journey from the U.S. Army to the U.S.Coast Guard. His first duty station in the Coast Guard was Savannah, Georgia. He shares his first call out experience, a challenging and nerve-racking mission in heavy fog. At one point, he and his crew had to divert to mak...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 56 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Gwenny Lawson, a flight nurse and lead instructor for Impact EMS. Lawson discusses her background and journey into nursing, as well as some impactful patient encounters. She emphasizes the importance of being present for patients and their families during critical moments. She also highlights the ripple effect that medical professionals have on their communities. One of the stories Lawson shares is about a traumatic arrest and the s...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 19 min
In Part 2 of this two-part series, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Kristin Gousse and Jeremy Urekew from the Powell County, Kentucky search-and-rescue team. We talk about a story involving four hikers who were stranded atop Courthouse Rock due to rapid changing weather conditions. The rescue team considered various options, including a climb up and rescue of the hikers using ropes. Ultimately, they decided a helicopter was the best option. The rescue gained national attention and ...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 8 min
In Part 1 of this two-part series, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Kristin Gousse and Jeremy Urekew from the Powell County, Kentucky search-and-rescue team. Gousse and Urekew share their first rescue experiences and their passion for technical rescue. They also mention their involvement in the 2022 flood rescues. They focus on the search-and-rescue efforts during a flood in Breathitt County, Kentucky. They recount their experiences rescuing a family stranded in their home, searchi...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ this will be another one of our Vertical Helicasts Mash-Up episodes with Jon Gray from The Hangar Z Podcast and Halsey Schider from The Helicopter Podcast. In this episode we introduce our newest Vertical host, Val Medved, who will be hosting the new Vertical MRO Podcast—the first episode drops today. The Vertical MRO Podcast explores the world of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul. The episodes feature helicopter technicians, mechanics engineers, and M...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr
In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Ashlee Leppert, U.S. Coast Guard flight mech veteran, author, inspirational speaker, and certified life coach. Leppert discusses her motivation for joining the Coast Guard and her journey to becoming a flight mechanic. She speaks about many of her rescues, including a drug interdiction and migrant operation which earned her a Letter Of Commendation. She earned a second Letter of Commendation for rescuing two elderly persons in the w...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 41 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Rick Woolford, U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer 03. Woolford, being one of the first five rescue swimmers in the U.S. Coast Guard, shares his journey from joining the Coast Guard to becoming a rescue swimmer. He discusses his background in water activities and law enforcement, as well as his experience in Navy Rescue Swimmer School. Woolford shares his experiences with equipment and training as the rescue swimmer program continued to...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 27 min
In Part 2 of this two-part series, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Wryan Webb, a United States Coast Guard pilot. Webb was deployed down to Houston,Texas, from Traverse City, Michigan, for the relief efforts of Hurricane Harvey. While there, he earned an Air Medal for his efforts for the rescue of 29 survivors and six dogs. After that particular deployment, he discusses a few calls that stand out to him during the rest of his time in Traverse City. Next, he is brought into his cur...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr
In Part 1 of this two-part series, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Wryan Webb, a United States Coast Guard pilot. Growing up in the middle of Texas, nowhere near water, Webb found himself wanting to blend his goals of being in aviation, being around water, and working search-and-rescue. With his very first rescue earning him a Coast Guard Commendation Medal for responding to an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) from the 40-foot trimaran and its four survivors 60 m...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 6 min
In Part 2 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Jason Ramos, a retired firefighter, smoke jumper, author of Smokejumper , and so much more. Ramos recounts some memorable fire jumps, including a close encounter with a boulder. He shares various stories from his career as a smokejumper. He talks about getting lost in the wilderness and the importance of never leaving your gear behind. He also shares funny anecdotes about calling radio stations from remote locatio...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 11 min
In Part 1 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by Jason Ramos, a retired firefighter, smoke jumper, author of Smokejumper , and so much more. Ramos shares his experiences and insights. He discusses his background, including his various roles in the fire service. Ramos recalls his early days as a volunteer firefighter and the intense and challenging calls he responded to. Additionally, he shares stories of memorable calls that left a lasting impression on him. Nex...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 31 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Thomas “Buck” Beaudry, U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) Rescue Swimmer 175. At a young age, Beaudry planned to be a firefighter like his brother. However, as life seems to go, his path changed when he failed one of the tests. This became “a blessing in disguise,” as it led him to joining the Coast Guard and becoming a rescue swimmer. Throughout this conversation, they talk about his amazing 29 year career in the USCG, including his first re...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 22 min
In Part 2 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by retired U.S. Coast Guard flight mechanic Phillip Powell. Powell continues to share his experiences and challenges in hoisting and rescuing people during his time in the Coast Guard. Powell also talks about Internal Communications Systems (ICS) failure and the ICS boots he developed to prevent water intrusion. He recounts his experience during Hurricane Harvey and the challenges the Coast Guard faced in conducting ...
Mar 16, 2024•54 min
In Part 1 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by retired U.S. Coast Guard flight mechanic Phillip Powell. Powell shares his experiences and challenges in hoisting and rescuing people during his time in the Coast Guard. He recounts memorable rescues in Savannah, Georgia, and during Hurricane Katrina. Powell also talks about his very first rescue, where six people were stuck in a boat in the mud. Then he shares a few more memorable rescues, including two people re...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 7 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is live in the Vertical Booth at HAI Heli Expo 2024 with Jason Segal, Paramedic, Hoist Operator and Rescue Specialist. Segal grew up in the Los Angeles area, where he got his first taste of emergency response from his father who was a firefighter medic. This influence paved the path for Segal's journey into becoming a paramedic, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career in rescue operations. Segal's first patient was a diver who c...
Mar 10, 2024•1 hr 8 min
On this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, we join the San Diego Fire Department live at HAI Heli Expo 2024. Featuring Tim Olson - Helicopter Rescue Medic (HRM), Captain Paul Shuttleworth - Crew Chief and Deke McClintock - Pilot. These three guys sat down with me to tell a couple of their most memorable rescue stories. Olson recalls his first rescue as a 14 year old where a car crashed into a fountain. Shuttleworth then shares a story from his experience battling a large fire, while McClintock re...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr 30 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Matt Theissen, U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer 502, and one of Theissen’s survivors, Captain Ron Blake. In this episode, we get the in depth story from both perspectives of this incredible rescue, a rescue that earned Thiessen an Air Medal and changed Blake’s life, forever. Thiessen’s Air Medal: “The crew launched from Air Station Kodiak in response to a distress signal emanating from a life raft with four survivors from the Fishing...
Feb 21, 2024•58 min
In this episode, the three Vertical Helicasts Hosts, Halsey Schider of The Helicopter Podcast, Jon Gray of The Hangar Z Podcast, and Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ discuss their excitement for the upcoming HAI event and the podcast lineups they have planned. They also talk about the networking opportunities and the chance to reconnect with industry colleagues and professionals. Make sure to come visit the trio at HAI Heli Expo this year! They are at booth 5716, with a 'Meet and Greet' scheduled fo...
Feb 18, 2024•21 min
In Part 2 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by one of his rescue swimmer classmates, Matt Theissen, U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer 502. We begin Part 2 in Kodiak, Alaska, where Thiessen recounts a few of his rescues. He was sent to evacuate a severely injured crewman suffering from head trauma and multiple seizures, earning him a Coast Guard Commendation Medal. A year later, he earned another Coast Guard Commendation Medal for the similar case of a severely i...
Feb 15, 2024•1 hr 26 min
In Part 1 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ is joined by one of his rescue swimmer classmates, Matt Theissen, U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer 502. Theissen joined the Coast Guard because he wanted to surf and follow the waves. This didn't actually happen for him until many years into his career. After graduating from rescue swimmer school, he went to New Orleans. Instead of talking about his first rescue, we talked about his first “duty” day. That was a busy one. He had...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In Part 2 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ sits down with Dave Callen, a retired Las Vegas police officer, pilot, and owner of SR3 Rescue Concepts. Callen and Quinny discuss two helicopter incidents that he experienced while flying. In the first incident, Callen describes feeling overwhelmed and panicked as he tries to find a landing spot during an engine failure. He emphasizes the importance of flying at higher altitudes to allow for more time to react. In the second ...
Feb 08, 2024•1 hr 23 min
In Part 1 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ sits down with Dave Callen, a retired Las Vegas police officer, pilot and owner of SR3 Rescue Concepts. They discuss Callen's career in law enforcement and aviation, including his experience as a rescue pilot. Callen shares his first three call outs as a rescue pilot and conveys how excited and ready he was for each of them. They speak quite a bit about the challenges of flying at high altitudes. Callen also tells an exciting ...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 11 min
In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by two firefighters from Essex County, United Kingdom. Tom Jewell and Rob Winger join Quinn to share experiences and stories from their time in the fire service. They discuss their backgrounds, including family connections to firefighting, and their journey to becoming firefighters. Jewell retells the first two rescues that stand out to him. The first was a shipping container fire and his second was the stereotypical ‘cat stuck in a tr...
Feb 01, 2024•1 hr 17 min
In Part 2 of The Real ResQ - Episode 167, host Jason Quinn continues his conversation with Rob Simpson, USCG Rescue Swimmer 699. Simpson wrote a powerful article for Mountain Tactical Institute titled: “Speaking to a Flight Doc about My Sleeping and Stress Struggles Got Me Grounded … But it was Worth It.” We learn about the details about the events discussed in Simpson’s article. We hear how his mental health was affected by being a rescue swimmer and how he eventually sought help. While Simpson...
Jan 25, 2024•56 min
In this Part 1 episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Rob Simpson, United States Coast Guard (USCG) Rescue Swimmer 699. Now retired from the USCG, we are able to hear about his amazing career. Simpson discusses his time on Coast Guard cutters, including challenging boarding team operations and interdictions. He also talks about his transition to becoming a rescue swimmer and the challenges he faced during his early rescues. During his first rescue, Simpson was called out for a m...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr
In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by James Boomhower, critical care flight paramedic, and graduate clinical intern in clinical psychology. We take this opportunity to go deep into the impact of post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) and critical incident stress management (CISM) on emergency responders. Boomhower shares his experiences as a flight paramedic. He discusses a couple of his memorable calls and the emotional toll that cases can bring, which lead him to becom...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 56 min
In Part 2 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ continues the conversation with Ivo Pinto from Portugal, a Portuguese Air Force Rescue Swimmer and Helicopter Tactics Instructor. They start with a story about a big rescue Pinto was involved in, a rescue that earned him a Aeronautical Merit Medal from the Portuguese Air Force. They responded to a large catamaran that had flipped over and was getting beaten apart by the waves. Next, Pinto tells us about a tough day when he was...
Jan 12, 2024•57 min
In Part 1 of this two-part episode, host Jason Quinn of The Real ResQ sits down with Ivo Pinto from Portugal, a Portuguese Air Force Rescue Swimmer and Helicopter Tactics Instructor. Pinto shares his experiences and insights into being a rescue swimmer with the Portuguese Air Force. They talk about some of the training involved, and about the challenges faced during long-range missions that have them flying hours to locations. Pinto shares his first rescue on an Alouette helicopter searching for...
Jan 11, 2024•56 min
