The Real ResQ Podcast

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! This episode is powered by Vertical HeliCASTS. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Breeze-Eastern and AEM. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical HeliCASTS. Plus, get your podcast gear at therealresqstore.com. 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! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Breeze-Eastern and Axnes.Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 successful return of spontaneous circulation. She shares two more remarkable stories that stand out to her. The first story involves a LifeNet flight to Omaha where they had to resuscitate a patient who suffered severe injuries in a motorcycle accident. The second story involves landing on a sandbar and walking through a river to pick up a patient who was not able to be carried out of the area. Our next story takes place in Haiti, where Lawson volunteers with an organization called HERO. She describes the challenges and rewards of providing medical care in a developing country. Lawson then goes on to share her experiences as a flight nurse and educator. She also emphasizes the importance of slowing down and being intentional with patient care. She highlights the value of continuous learning and the need to carry the right equipment. Overall, Lawson's advice is to always keep learning and be open to the idea of being wrong. This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Bell and AEM. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts. Gwenny Lawson’s Book - BUT WHY?: Going Beyond the What So You Can Understand the Why of Critical Care Transport

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 was featured on Good Morning America. They get into another rescue that happened two days prior to our recording. This is the first time the full story had been released. An off road vehicle had taken a plunge down a cliffside and had a woman injured and stuck at the crash. A full team spent hours in the dark to get her out. The rest of the conversation covers the importance of training and experience, the desire to be first on the scene, respecting other rescuers, challenges faced during rescues, lessons learned, international rope rescue competitions, and advice for rescuers. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Bell and PAG. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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, searching for a missing person, and dealing with the challenges of contaminated flood water. They also discuss the coordination and challenges of conducting search-and-rescue operations in mountainous terrain. Additionally, they share stories of rescuing a person who fell off a cliff and a dog stuck on a ledge. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Breeze-Eastern and Axnes.Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 MRO experts who will share valuable industry insight, knowledge and stories that will inspire current and aspiring industry maintainers. To find out more about the Vertical MRO Podcast go to VerticalHelicasts.com. This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Breeze-Eastern, Axnes and Switlik. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 water. Leppert goes on to discuss a third Letter of Commendation which she earned for her maintenance work and involvement during the 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Finally, she discusses her fourth Letter of Commendation, earned for rescuing a distressed kayaker, which also made the local news. As we go further into Leppert’s career, we get into a complex nighttime rescue of a 90-year-old man on a 65-foot sailing vessel. This rescue earned her a Coast Guard Achievement Medal. Next, we get into what Leppert did during the rescue efforts of Hurricane Harvey. These efforts earned her an Air Medal and a trip to Washington, D.C., to be a part of President Trump's 2018 State of The Union Speech. We conclude our conversation with what she's doing now. Leppert talks about writing the book, The Hurricane Within, so that she could share her story. In addition to writing a book, she has become a life coach to help others overcome their struggles. Her advice emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself in order to be a leader in all aspects of life. She is currently a public speaker and a life coach. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Collins Aerospace and Switlik. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 grow. He remembers his first rescue as a rescue swimmer, and it just so happened to be the very first rescue of a rescue swimmer since the program's inception. It was a daytime rescue out of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. A person was in the water and couldn't get into the basket, which required Woolford to get into the water. Woolford went on to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) and flight school while serving as a pilot in Alaska. He recalls a rescue mission in Canada where he and his crew saved nine people from the icy waters and rocky shore. This rescue earned him a Coast Guard Commendation Medal and an Ian Fraser Award from Canada. Woolford also talks about his time as a helicopter instructor and the importance of training new students. He shares stories from his life in Alaska and from his career as an air ambulance pilot. We also touch on the gear and equipment used by rescue swimmers, including the famous Rolex watches. We finish our conversation with some good advice where Woolford emphasizes the importance of physical and mental health for rescue swimmers and highlights the legacy of the rescue swimmer program. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Breeze-Eastern and Switlik. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 current unit of Sitka, Alaska. A story that stood out to him was a medevac of a young lady who gave birth to a premature baby and needed a higher level of care. Webb also discusses the challenges and rewards of being a pilot, as well as his passion for photography. They finish their conversation off with a great piece of advice about continuing to learn and the importance of taking care of each other. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Bell and PAG. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 miles offshore. We continued our conversation discussing a few more rescues that stood out to him while he was stationed in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Webb shares a story about two F-18 Hornets that crashed and left four pilots in the water. Other stories include a flight to Bermuda for a rescue that was beyond Bermuda, a submarine that they had to rendezvous with, and a sailboat that was taking on water. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Collins Aerospace and Axnes. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 locations and requesting songs to help keep morale up on scene. Ramos discusses the unique experiences of being part of a Helitack Crew and the thrill of initial attack. He also opens up about the traumatic events he has witnessed and the impact of PTSD on his life. Additionally, he shares his encounters with Bigfoot and the importance of survival skills and foraging in the wilderness. Ramos recounts his last jump and the challenges he faced, including dealing with whooping cough and a back injury. He emphasizes the importance of listening and communication in all aspects of life. Finally, Ramos shares lessons that he learned as a firefighter and smoke jumper and relates it to his current work, which is his current role as a drone pilot. He discusses the advancements in drone technology for search and rescue operations. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Bluedrop and AEM. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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. Next we talk a little bit about the training and delve into the challenges to become a smokejumper. Ramos shares his experiences during his first job, jumping into an area with a bunch of rocks all over the field. This is where it all began for him and his crew as they battled the fire for the next couple days. We divert a bit into a few other topics where Ramos discusses different scenarios on scene, such as, “What happens if you land in a tree?” or, “What happens if you have an injury when you are in a scene?” In addition, we get an insider look into a few extra skills that smokejumpers learn. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Breeze-Eastern and Switlik. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 rescue: A medevac off of a large Japanese ship that was 300 miles off shore. Then they get into more of his rescue stories that earned him an Achievement Medal for multiple rescues that occurred over a short period of time in Cape Cod. He received a Coast Guard Commendation Medal for a man stuck on a barge in big seas and 80-knot winds. Next, they get into his Air Medal case, where he worked with another swimmer to rescue six people in 20-foot seas and 40-knot winds. Lastly, they get into the emotional rescue of a father and son who were in the water due to their canoe flipping over. Following the rescue, the crew went to visit the family in the hospital and received a letter from the family thanking them. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Breeze-Eastern and Axnes. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 search-and-rescue operations. Powell discusses various aspects of helicopter rescue operations. He emphasizes the responsibility of the flight mechanic in ensuring the wellbeing of Coast Guard swimmers, and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the field. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the challenges and best practices of helicopter rescue operations. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Bluedrop, AEM and Axnes. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts. SecurComs ICS Boots

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 rescued off of a sailboat and another of a man having chest pain who needed to be hoisted off a boat. Powell details a few more of his experiences in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In addition, Powell discusses his experience as part of the Coast Guard Standardization Team (STAN Team) and the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School (AHRS), and shares a harrowing hoist runaway incident and speaks about the importance of proper hoist procedures. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Bell, PAG and Switlik. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts. SecurComs ICS Boots

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 came up a little too fast and was required to be put into the decompression chamber. From there, Segal tells us a bunch of stories that stand out to him, including working with Lenny Cunningham in Louisiana on a call out for a motor vehicle crash. Transitioning to the arid landscape of El Paso, Texas, Segal recounts a daring rescue operation involving the hoisting of a victim who had fallen over 100 feet. Another rescue that stands out was when he was teaching and the agency asked him to help with the hoist recovery of a victim with a broken back. As the conversation draws to a close, Segal provides insights into his current endeavors, collaborating with Vita Inclinada, and sheds light on the advancements made in their VRS system. He concludes with a reminder of the significance of "teachable moments," encapsulating the essence of continuous learning and growth in the realm of rescue operations. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Breeze-Eastern, Bell and PAG. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 recounts his first rescue as a Pilot In Command (PIC). We continue with a story where Shuttleworth and McClintock responded to a rescue call for a victim hanging over a 100-foot cliff face as night approached. Having to move fast with limited visibility pressing them, a simple question asked over the Axnes system, “Are you good?” and the response, “I’ve got him,” made an emergent rescue both easier and successful. We close out talking about the Axnes system and the significant benefits it has had to their unit, missions, and better communications for all the crews. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Axnes. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 Vessel (F/V) Hunter. The vessel iced over, capsized and sank forcing the crew to abandon ship. With gusty 50-knot winds, churning seas and near-zero visibility due to billowing ice fog, Petty Officer Thiessen willingly deployed using a degraded hoist to the survivors below. Rapidly assessing the survivors, he towed the most critical from the raft through the icy water and breaking waves to the rescue basket. With his mask rendered useless by the freezing spray, he was forced to discard it, leaving his face exposed to the harsh elements. During the hour-long rescue, his eyes repeatedly froze shut, requiring him to continuously submerge his face in the arctic water to maintain his vision. At one point, he displayed tremendous physical prowess that demanded several minutes of maximum effort swimming to catch the swiftly drifting raft. Recovering the second survivor proved treacherous as the helicopter cabin had become encrusted with ice.” Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Collins Aerospace. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.

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 for Wednesday February 28th from 3-5pm. And if you see any of the hosts walking around the expo, don't hesitate to say hi!

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 injured crewman with severe head trauma. Next, we transition to Hawaii, where Thiessen talks about a rescue where he assisted the saving of a $54 million, 186-foot University of Hawaii research vessel taking on water. This case earned him another Achievement Medal. We continue our conversation by talking about his time in Houston, Texas. Here, Thiessen earned a second Air Medal and a Meritorious Service Medal for his efforts during Hurricane Harvey. He was flying the first day and night and helped save 28 people. Plus, he maintained and organized 75 Coast Guard rescue swimmers and 15 Air Force pararescuemen for the duration of the hurricane response. Enjoy! This episode is powered by Vertical Helicasts. Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Axnes. Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical Helicasts.