In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Ryan Beard, a flight mechanic in the United States Coast Guard. 

Beard recounts his first rescue mission, where he and his crew saved two sailors whose sailboat had run aground on the Galveston, Texas, jetty. This successful rescue earned him an achievement medal and the USCG District 8 Rescue of the Year award. Another notable rescue involved a medevac of a crew member with a critical blast injury. Beard’s disciplined crew resource management and quick decision-making skills were crucial in these high-pressure situations. 

During Hurricane Harvey, Beard and his crew were one of the first to respond to the storm and perform rescue operations. They faced challenging conditions, including a violent squall line and rising floodwaters. They embarked on multiple missions, hoisting people in critical condition and navigating through power lines and dangerous obstacles. Beard’s actions and skills were instrumental in the rescue of 32 people. In addition to flying, he also assisted with maintenance tasks and fueling operations, contributing to the success of the massive air rescue operation that saved and assisted 1,738 lives. 

Beard talks about the dedication and hard work of the Coast Guard during the hurricane relief efforts and the camaraderie among the team. He also discusses his transition to The Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) and the training he underwent to become a precision marksman. He emphasizes the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to learn and grow. We conclude our conversation with Beard offering advice to those considering joining the Coast Guard. He encourages anyone to reach out for more information. Enjoy!

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In this ASTerisk episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is Live from EURORSA 2024. He sits down with Jesper Rintza and Martin Ravn, two rescue swimmers from the Danish Royal Air Force. They give an insider's perspective, discussing how they do the job of a Rescue Swimmer.

First, both Rintza and Ravn tell a memorable rescue that stands out to each of them.  For Rintza, it was a rescue of two Olympian female sailors who went missing. After over an hour of searching, they located the women. The race was on to do everything they could to save the women. Next, for Ravn, he recalls a medevac from a cruise ship, where a patient was experiencing a possible heart attack and needed to get to the hospital.  

In the next part of the conversation, we focus on the process that it takes to become a rescue swimmer in their squadron. They have a two-week physical fitness push and then lots of time in the helicopter getting on-the-job training. We discuss some of the medical training that they have to do as Danish Rescue Swimmers, as well as one of the procedures they use for a hypothermic victim in the water. Enjoy!

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In this ASTerisk episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is LIVE from DECERT 2024. He is joined by five of the first six U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers: Steve Ober (01), Kelly Gordon (02), Rick Woolford (03), Butch Flythe (05), and Larry Farmer (06). This historic gathering brings together the pioneers who laid the foundation for the Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Program.

Join us as these trailblazers share their incredible stories and memorable moments from the early days of the program. From their grueling training experiences to their first rescues, each recounts the challenges and triumphs that defined their careers. Listen in as they reminisce about the camaraderie, the life-saving missions, and the evolution of the program that set the standard for excellence in search-and-rescue operations.

This episode is a tribute to the bravery and dedication of the original Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. Their stories not only highlight their personal heroism but also the enduring legacy of the program they helped establish. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from the legends of the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer community. Enjoy!

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In this ASTerisk episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by the team from Travis County Starflight, Texas - Dr. Taylor Ratcliff, Associate Medical Director, and Brandon Solomon, Flight Paramedic, Hoist Operator, and Rescue Specialist.

As we kick off the summer season, we explore the innovative techniques developed by Travis County StarFlight to combat exertional heat stroke in the field. Join us as we uncover their groundbreaking solution, which utilizes ice, cold water, and chilled IV fluids to rapidly cool patients in remote and challenging environments.

Our guests explain their method in detail, presenting compelling evidence of their operational success rates. We cover the basics of recognizing and treating heat stroke, the severe effects it has on the body, and the critical need for rapid cooling. You'll learn about the use of ice in patient care and the development of a rapid cooling system that can be hoisted in to save lives.

The goal of this episode is to disseminate this life-saving information to as many people and agencies as possible. The method Travis County StarFlight has developed is applicable at any level of medical care, making it a vital tool for first responders and medical professionals alike. Don't miss this episode filled with valuable insights and practical solutions for treating heat stroke in the field. Enjoy!

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In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Martin Lehmann, Danish Air Force Rescue Swimmer from Rescue Squadron 722.

Martin shares thrilling accounts of his missions, starting with his first, where he was still in the qualification phase and was hoisted into the bush to retrieve an elderly man. He vividly recalls rescuing two children swept away from shore in a dinghy, and being hoisted onto a burning vessel to save the sailors before it was too late. In the last mission he brings us through, he was hoisted onto a sinking fishing vessel to try and help save it. 

Martin’s bravery and quick thinking in these high-pressure situations are commendable. As a rescue swimmer in the Danish Air Force, he shares his experiences and insights into their search-and-rescue operations. They use the EH101 helicopter, a variant of the Leonardo AW101. The Danish Air Force covers a vast coastline and provides medevacs from various islands to hospitals in Denmark. They also support the police and participate in international missions. Martin emphasizes the importance of taking it slow and maintaining a calm mindset during high-pressure situations. Enjoy!

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In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Larry Farmer, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer 06.

Farmer, the godfather of the United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Program, shares his journey from joining the Coast Guard to becoming an Aviation Survivalman (ASM) and what it took to help build the Swimmer program. 

He talks about his first search-and-rescue case as an ASM, which involved retrieving a deceased individual from the water and delivering him to Mexican authorities. Farmer also describes the process of performing platform pickups, where the H3 helicopter lands on water and taxis to the survivor. 

He shares a harrowing rescue mission 220 miles off the coast of San Diego, where the helicopter had to navigate through thick fog to reach a distressed crew member on a freighter. This earned him an Air Medal. 

Farmer talks about his heroic actions following a plane crashing into the building he was in. With burning jet fuel and chemical explosions, his dedication to rescuing survivors and doing what he could to help earned him a Coast Guard Medal. 

Larry's commitment to the rescue swimmer program and his role in shaping its future are discussed, along with the reason that he decided to attend the Navy Rescue Swimmer School. Farmer also explains the resistance and challenges faced in implementing the rescue swimmer program in the U.S. Coast Guard. 

He talks about the pushback from changing the existing protocol and the difficulties in standardizing the program. Despite the obstacles, the program has been successful in saving lives and has gained recognition from other services worldwide. 

We closed out our conversation with some great advice: Never quit during the dark days, and stay true to oneself. Enjoy!

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In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Matthew Fithian, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer 04.

Fithian shares his experiences and career journey in this podcast episode. He discusses his upbringing, joining the Coast Guard, and various assignments and rescues. Our stories explore moments from his time in boot camp, his work as a flight mechanic, to him becoming Rescue Swimmer 04. Fithian recounts his experiences with helicopter water platform pickups and a rescue where he was hoisted down to a vessel for a victim who had lost his arm. He also mentions the Marine Electric incident and the search for pirates. 

Fithian's episode highlights his experiences as a rescue swimmer. We talk about the challenges of being hoisted from a strop and the relief of using harnesses. Matthew shares his memories of going to rescue swimmer school and the determination he had to not quit. He also recounts a daring rescue where he rescued 43 people and a dog from flood waters in Roanoke, VA. Matthew's bravery and dedication earned him an Air Medal for this rescue. 

Fithian also talks about his transition to civilian life, working as a truck driver, and his involvement in organizations like the Moose Lodge and Disabled American Veterans. Matthew emphasizes the importance of advancing in one's career and not staying idle. Enjoy!

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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 the program, including the challenges they faced with the equipment and the design flaws they encountered. He mentions the evaluation of wetsuits and the exposure exercises they underwent to test their effectiveness in cold water. 

He recalls the excitement of their first rescue and the ones that followed. He recounts a rescue where he had to get four people away from a sinking boat in rough waves. 

Another memorable rescue he describes is the medevac of a fisherman with a punctured scrotum. Gordon also had a story detailing a body recovery from a boat that sank with four people on board. 

Gordon discusses the growth of the rescue swimmer program and the impact of the Jeff Tunks rescue of The Bluebird (The Real ResQ Episode 18). He also talks about his retirement from the Coast Guard and his transition to civilian life. He shares various assignments, qualifications, and experiences, including his time as one of the first five rescue swimmers. Gordon emphasizes the importance of enjoying the moment, putting things in perspective, and appreciating the small things in life. Enjoy!

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00:00 Introduction and technical instructions

02:59 Kelly's background and journey to becoming a rescue swimmer

08:06 Experiences in Astoria, Oregon

25:57 Implementing the Underwater Escape Rebreather (UER) Program

29:12 Training as a NAOPSPEE instructor

32:44 Training and implementing the program

36:17 Coast Guard's lack of a swim program

41:49 First Coasties to attend Navy Rescue Swimmer School

54:09 Evaluating the effectiveness of wetsuits

59:26 Swimming independent from the helicopter

01:02:32 The first rescues

01:05:11 The challenges of being a rescue swimmer

01:14:13 Memorable rescues

01:28:16 The impact of the Jeff Tunks rescue

01:45:00 Advice and looking forward to the reunion

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 has faced in his many rescue roles. These stories include a flight to rescue a patient in cold weather, the use of intraosseous (IO) and intravenous (IV) access, preventing IV from freezing in extreme temperatures, a large dockyard fire, a severe half torso laceration, and a major concussion case. 

In this conversation, Dahmer shares his experiences and insights as a paramedic, hoist rescue specialist, ropes rescue technician, and ski patrol member. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the context and psychology of patients in pre-hospital medicine. Dahmer also discusses the challenges and creativity required in rope rescues and the physical demands of high-stress situations. He highlights the value of training and mentoring in the field, plus the need to pass on knowledge to the next generation and share stories in the SAR community. Enjoy!

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00:00 Introduction and Background

02:52 James' Journey into Search and Rescue

09:43 James' First Rescue

28:49 Resuscitation on a Long Line

33:19 Flight to the South

36:12 CPR Basics in Cold Weather

39:37 Intraosseous (IO) and IV Access

42:29 Preventing IV Freezing

46:32 Squamish Dockyard Fire

52:12 Half Torso Laceration

59:25 Major Concussion

01:01:50 Treating Hypothermia and Stroke Symptoms

01:04:07 Helicopter Rescue and Landing

01:05:27 Recovery and Gratitude

01:06:43 The Importance of Recognition

01:07:09 The Role of Mentors and Training

01:09:29 The Practice of Medicine and Trying New Techniques

01:11:59 Realistic Training and Pushing Boundaries

01:14:18 The Balancing Act of Risk and Rescue

01:15:30 The Limitations of Helicopter Rescue

01:19:22 Progressive Training and Building Skills

01:25:19 The Loneliness of Air Operations

01:27:22 The Speed and Efficiency of Helicopter Rescue

01:30:03 The Challenges of Helicopter Rescue in Canada

01:35:16 Triple Fatality at Shannon Falls

01:41:00 The Importance of Context and Psychology in Pre-hospital Medicine

01:43:18 The Challenges of Rope Rescue and the Need for Creativity

01:49:25 The Intensity and Physical Demands of High-Stress Rescues

01:56:40 The Value of Training and Mentoring

02:01:41 The Jelly Newton Piñata and the Importance of Sharing Stories

02:08:38 Train Your Replacement and Be a Genuine Mentor

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 make an emergency landing at Charleston International Airport due to low fuel and a reported fire on the initial runway. Jones then shares another humorous story out of Savannah about finding two boaters whose boat sank and having to leave them with a radio, then returning hours later for the rescue. 

He speaks briefly about Mobile, Alabama, and then his twilight tour in Humboldt Bay, California. There, he recounts a specific medevac rescue mission on Feb. 6, 2015, which earned him a Letter of Commendation. He had to navigate severe weather and low visibility to save a patient's life. Jones reflects on the lessons learned from this mission and the importance of considering magnetic variation in flight planning. He also shares about a second rescue out of Humboldt Bay that earned him an Achievement Medal. Here, a distressed sailor was injured and needed an immediate medevac off the fishing vessel.  

Jones discusses an embarrassing mistake that he made as a crew member and emphasizes the importance of sharing experiences and learning from mistakes. He also talks about the challenges of flying in difficult conditions and the differences between Federal Aviation Administration regulations and Coast Guard operations. Jones concludes by offering advice on making wise decisions in high-pressure situations. Enjoy!

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