In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Sam Fielder, Aircrewman from Australia.  Sam has been working since 2007 and has had a wild career.  He brings us through two very memorable events while flying.  We recap his first big incident while on a case, where the cable parted due to an entanglement and he fell to the deck. We review this case and the major importance of pilots' reference points.  The second case was a training flight that started with a basic approach and entered the vortex ring, causing the aircraft to lose its lift and crash.  We continued to debrief this case and what Sam went through after the crash and what it took to really get back flying again.  We finish off with a few funny and happy SAR cases that he was called out for with a fun radio announcement at 4,000 feet.  Enjoy!

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In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Dan Halsall, USCG RS #139, who started his rescue career at 14 years old.  He fell in love with the rescue side of things and wanted more.  He joined the Coast Guard with the sole intention of becoming a Rescue Swimmer.  After the Coast Guard, he continued on with a  career in law enforcement, among other things.  Dan shares several memorable cases while in the Coast Guard, including getting stuck in fish hooks after sliding down a mast, a fatal car crash on a bridge, and a huge cargo ship MedEvac during “The Perfect Storm”.  He tells a story from his Law Enforcement days as well.  We finish with a funny story where his flight mechanic told him, “I chose you man!” Enjoy!

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In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Ashley Morrison, Critical Care Paramedic. She tells us stories from where she began on the ambulance and her first night out after being qualified as a medic. She tells us about wanting to be a flight medic and when the phone call came to fly, she was thrilled to join the team. We talked about some of the training and MedEvacs she had which included a tough hoist case we were called on together.  After she left the air ambulance/SAR she continued to do great things in her home town area.  She was recognized by the City of New Orleans with the City Business HealthCare Heroes award for her amazing work. In a 14 year career, Ashley has some great stories to tell and a lot more to come! Enjoy!

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In the episode of the Real ResQ, we are joined by Steve Frye, USCG RS #35.  Steve was able to take us back 40 years ago to his very first rescue out of Sitka, Alaska. A case that still stands out to him today.  We talk about his incredible rescue while he was stationed in San Francisco, CA. As we recap this case, he talks about what happened to him during that rescue and why it was a big key factor with how to deal with caves. His case is exactly why it was integrated into the Advanced Rescue Swimmer School.  We don't end there either, we talk about a bunch of other cases Steve had and a few funny stories that come with them.  Enjoy!

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In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by California Highway Patrol Pilot, Kevin Vinatieri. He has been flying for over 30 years in multiple different aircrafts, including the H60, H1, OH58, UH78, 105, and the A-Star. Kevin brings up local and overseas stories from the Army and CHP. As an instructor, he makes sure guys are ready for whatever comes their way too. I’m personally taking some of his advice with one particular training tip of “High. Low. Look out below.” Enjoy!

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In this Veteran’s Day episode of The Real ResQ, I wanted to record an episode that recognized and honored military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.  When thinking about how to do so, I immediately thought about my friend, fellow USCG Rescue Swimmer #649, Dustin Bernitovich.  I wanted to highlight Dustin’s amazing career in the Coast Guard and his work that followed after his time in service.  Dustin was humble, brave, larger than life in more than one way, and an incredible athlete. I wanted him to be remembered for what he did while serving in the United States Coast Guard.  Because he is no longer with us, I am joined by his father Michael Bernitovich, and his best friend and better half, Donna Adams.  Enjoy!

In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Neville Murphy from CHC Helicopters and the Irish Coast Guard.  Neville is a winch operator, a winchman and a paramedic, based in Waterford, Ireland.  When we discussed one of his very first cases, he was surprised when he walked in to see one of his friends.  He tells of a cliff case, where a broken bone didn't stop him from completing the rescue.  We discuss a case where the whole crew was recognized for a rescue from a huge cargo ship.  He also discusses a rescue of a plane crash in the Irish Sea.  He doesn't stop there either, even when he is off work, he is still on call. He volunteers with the local lifeboat as a rescue crew member. With a story from the boat side too, Neville has been a part of some great SAR stories.  Enjoy!

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In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by USCG Rescue Swimmer #230, Harold Hoffmaster.  He tells stories from all throughout his career, starting with a story from the small boat unit where he met his wife.  Next, he shares about going through swimmer school where a “not going to quit” attitude helped him each and every day.  Harold tells us about his first SAR case from his first Swimmer unit in NY, a case which turned out to be quite interesting.  As you listen, you’ll hear him tell story after story, from the beginning to Corpus Christi, back to NY and NJ, up to MA which for him, entertained mostly benign rescues. However, all of his experience prepared him for the “Super Bowl of SAR”, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Harold had a stellar career and we loved having him on to talk about so many interesting cases. Enjoy!!

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In this ASTerisk episode of The Real ResQ, Olaf Leavelle and George Cavallo return to talk about leadership, mentorship, and the ever important topic, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.  Having Olaf and George on this episode together was important because their dynamic as Senior Chief and Chief made for a solid and supportive work environment. Their leadership styles and the depth at which they knew and supported their crew were vital to those facing life altering rescues.  We get into the why, how, and what should be done to support those who face difficult situations.  A common conversation in our episodes surround cases that you will never forget.  Some of our guests have referred to them as ‘the ghosts that come to you at random times throughout the day’. Listen to this entertaining yet powerful episode.  Enjoy!

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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 wheelchairs.  Listen in and hear about this amazing rescue.  Enjoy!

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