The Real ResQ Podcast

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...

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 throt...

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...

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 o...

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...

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, huma...

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 servi...

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...

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 am...

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...

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 t...

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 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:...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Graham McGinnis, USCG Rescue Swimmer #869. Throughout this conversation, we get a glimpse at what a diverse career you can have in the Coast Guard.  As a current RS serving in the USCG, Graham brings us through cases beginning with his first station in New Orleans and through to his current station in Humboldt Bay.  We talk about hurricanes, power...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, Matt Hardgrove joins us to recap his journey through his career as a pilot for the USCG.  From serving in the big city to stints in rural parts of the USA, Matt has seen his share of cases, some even when he was 'off duty'.  Are you ever really off duty when you're called to serve?  Earning several Air Medals, Matt has unfortunately yet fortunately...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, we talk to Sergio Cosme who does a job so wild and crazy that speaking to him truly just cannot paint an accurate picture of what he does on a daily basis.  From Santa Cruz, Portugal, Sergio joins us to talk about his life working with surfers and massive waves all from his jet ski in Nazare, Portugal.  Listen in as Sergio talks to us about the danger, the trainin...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Al Yates USCG RS #157, who also happens to be one of my very own A-School Instructors.  This interview contains both hilarious and sombering stories.  From accidentally signing up to go to swimmer school to stories of tragedy, Alan talks of some very memorable moments in his career.  Listen in as we talk about small cases, unique cases, cases that...

“Even if the hopes you started out with are dashed, hope still has to be maintained.” In this episode of The Real ResQ, Davitt Ward from the Irish Coast Guard joins us to talk about his 22 year career as a rescueman.  We discuss the importance of staying focused, continuously learning, never letting your guard down, and always being ready to make those important split decisions.  Davitt recaps cas...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Ryan Ross, member of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department.  Over the past two decades, Ryan has worked in both the aviation department of Sac-Metro Fire Dept as well as on the ground working in the trucks.  Ryan talks about the variety of cases seen in Sacramento as they provide one of the only helicopter services north of the grapevine in...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, Caleb Flippin, USCG RS #663 joins us for a fun conversation about his time as a swimmer.  As a young swimmer, one of the lessons that we all have to learn is that we must speak up during a mission when our voice is warranted.  Using his voice in the helicopter helped save the life of a man that they had been trying to locate.  USCG Rescue Swimmers are typically st...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Chris Deacon, a highly experienced and personable paramedic from Auckland, New Zealand.  Throughout this fascinating conversation, Chris shares stories from his 29-year career working as an intensive care medic.  Chris has seen just about everything that a medic, on the ground and in the air, can see with his time on the job.  We discuss car accid...

In this special Memorial Day episode of The Real ResQ, we reflect and honor some of those fallen while serving The United States of America. This episode is dedicated to the crew of the 6505, and more specifically my friend, David L. Skimin USCG RS #409. Military men, women, and their families all know the dangers of our job and what ultimately could be on the line. Military men and women prepare,...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, we are joined by Tom Moore, a retired Boatswain's Mate for the USCG.  In Tom's 31 years in the Coast Guard, he has witnessed and experienced a multitude of cases.  Listen as Tom and I recap the importance, necessity, and benefits of cross training Boats and Aviation and how this partnership has impacted search and rescue for the USCG.  Tom also tells sto...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, Jeff Tunks, USCG RS #46 joins us for an engaging and outstanding conversation about his time as a swimmer.  He reminds us, “God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the call.” Jeff has some amazing rescues, earning him the title of the very first USCG RS to ever receive a Distinguished Flying Cross.  Listen in as we discuss a case with an interesting twis...

In this episode of The Real ResQ, we have the privilege of speaking to Dan Antle and John Valentino from the Seminole County Florida Sheriff's Department.  These two bring a unique perspective to the table.  As law enforcement, they work on the ground as well as in the air through their aviation division.  They work alongside firefighters and provide search and rescue for a large portion of t...