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The Real ResQ is the ultimate podcast for inspiring stories of everyday heroes who risk their lives ”so others may live.” Join experienced Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #500, Jason Quinn, and guests from around the world as they share firsthand accounts of high-pressure situations and the bravery required to navigate them. From the simple standard medevac to the dark and stormy night rescues, they are entertaining and fun to listen to. Each episode is packed with riveting stories, insightful interviews, and expert analysis, giving you an immersive experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Here, we go behind the scenes of these amazing rescues. We get an inside look and listen to all the good and the bad of these everyday heroes. Whether you’re a first responder or simply fascinated by the world of rescue work, ”The Real ResQ” is a must-listen. Subscribe now and join us on this unforgettable journey of courage, heroism, and hope.
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In this powerful episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn speaks with Dr. Tony Dice, a Counselor Educator & Doctoral-Level Clinician, Navy SEAL, Firefighter, Paramedic, Author and Recovering addict to share an unflinching story of service, struggle, and recovery. Dr. Dice walks listeners through his extraordinary journey to becoming a firefighter and paramedic, serving as a Navy SEAL, and ultimately finding his calling as a counselor. Along the way, he opens up about the cumulat...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined once again by Scott Ruskan, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #1096. Scott returns to break down his very first live hoist—a high-stakes medevac from an oil tanker at sea, a mission that earned him and his crew Coast Guard Commendation Medals. He walks listeners through the operation from start to finish, detailing the planning, execution, and precise coordination required to safely complete the rescue. Throughout the...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast — the seventh of seven episodes highlighting the rescue efforts during the Kerr County, Texas Floods of July 4th, 2025 — host Jason Quinn sits down with Scott Ruskan, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #1096. Ruskan shares his remarkable journey from growing up in New Jersey to finding himself at the center of a catastrophic flood rescue operation that would test his training and resolve. Ruskan walks us through the rigors of rescue swimmer train...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast — the sixth of seven episodes highlighting the rescue efforts during the Kerr County, Texas Floods of July 4th, 2025 — host Jason Quinn sits down with United States Coast Guard pilots Ian Hopper and Blair Ogujiofor, along with a separate interview featuring Flight Mechanic Seth Reeves. Together, they reflect on their roles during the Kerrville flood response and the realities of high-stakes helicopter rescue operations. We also gain meaningful backgrou...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast — the fifth of seven episodes highlighting the rescue efforts during the Kerr County, Texas Floods of July 4th, 2025 — host Jason Quinn sits down with two members of the Star Flight crew in Austin, Texas, recorded right from the heart of their operations. Pilot Ryan Kelly and Flight Nurse Katie White They share their firsthand experiences in helicopter emergency response, recounting daring hoists, life-saving missions, and the intense challenges of res...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast — the fourth of seven episodes highlighting the rescue efforts during the Kerr County, Texas Floods of July 4th, 2025 — host Jason Quinn joins six members of the Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft Operations Division: Dustin Gardner, Rob Dorman, Tyason Chow, Dustin Ponce, Eric Herrera, and Brandon Palmer. Together, this diverse and highly skilled Texas DPS team shares firsthand stories from the world of helicopter emergency response. From their...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast — the third of seven episodes highlighting the rescue efforts during the Kerr County, Texas Floods of July 4th, 2025 — host Jason Quinn sits down with seasoned helicopter search and rescue technicians Bryan Winchell and Cliff Patrick from Texas Task Force One. Winchell and Patrick share their firsthand accounts of the extreme challenges faced during the Kerrville flood response. They walk through the intricacies of coordinating a multi-agency effort, t...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast — the second of seven episodes highlighting the rescue efforts during the Kerr County, Texas Floods of July 4th, 2025 — host Jason Quinn dives into the world of emergency response coordination with DJ Walker, a seasoned rescue captain out of Austin, Texas. Walker shares his experiences managing the Joint Air Ground Coordination Team, offering a rare inside look at what it takes to synchronize air and ground assets during large-scale rescue operations a...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast—the first of seven episodes highlighting the rescue efforts during the Kerr County, Texas Floods of July 4th, 2025—host Jason Quinn sits down with Mark Moody, a Lieutenant with the San Antonio Fire Department and Squad Leader for Texas Task Force One. Recording from his home in the heart of Texas, Moody shares powerful firsthand experiences—from his very first water rescue to the harrowing Kerrville incident that pushed his leadership and composure to ...
In this ASTerisk episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, recorded in-person at European Rotors in Cologne, Germany, host Jason Quinn sits down with Dave Weber, owner of the Mountain Rescue Collective, National Park Service Climbing Ranger, Flight Paramedic and Keynote Speaker for a powerful discussion on the art of “striving for failure.” Together, they explore how pushing boundaries and embracing setbacks can reveal personal and professional limits—and ultimately lead to growth, innovation, and st...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with members of the rescue team from Utah Department of Public Safety, Luke Bowman, Alan Smith and Nick Napierki, to recount a challenging cliff rescue mission that tested their training, teamwork, and communication under pressure. The crew shares their firsthand experiences from the initial plan and coordination to the execution of the rescue. They highlight how communication, trust, and preparation played a critical role i...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Luke Bowman, Chief Pilot for the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS), to explore the thrilling and demanding world of helicopter search and rescue operations throughout Utah. From adrenaline-charged missions in Utah’s rugged backcountry to heartfelt stories of survival and teamwork, Bowman shares his journey from small-town beginnings to becoming a key leader in life-saving aviation. He pulls back the curtain on the ...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn talks with Will Coble reflects on his time as a lifeguard, sharing memorable rescues, lessons learned, and the profound impact of his time on the beach. Coble dives into both the serious and rewarding sides of lifeguarding, discussing the importance of training, vigilance, and safety awareness in saving lives. Through his stories, he highlights the quick thinking and composure required in high-pressure situations, as well as the camar...
In this ALERT episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Cory VanBuskirk, Artak Arakelian, and Nick Demogines, leaders from Onboard Systems Hoist and Winch to deliver an important industry update for all Onboard Systems users. They address the challenges inherited from Collins/Goodrich and outline the solutions and improvements currently being implemented to fix them. The discussion dives deep into leadership dynamics, operational challenges, and the critical importance...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn speaks with Brendan Sloan, a British cave rescue medical officer, about his remarkable experiences in one of the most unique and challenging rescue environments. Sloan provides an inside look at the volunteer structure of cave rescue teams in the UK, the medical responsibilities that come with the role, and the extensive training required for volunteers. He recounts his first cave rescue experience, as well as the difficulties rescuer...
In February 1983, tragedy struck in the North Atlantic when the bulk carrier SS Marine Electric rolled over, claiming thirty-one lives. Helicopters arrived but could only watch as exhausted sailors slipped away, unable to climb into rescue baskets. Out of that loss came a promise: the Coast Guard would never again stand by when survivors couldn’t save themselves. That promise gave birth to the Helicopter Rescue Swimmer program. Since 1985, only about 1,125 men and women have earned the title ...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Nate Christensen, Captain of the Tremonton Fire Department and 1st Captain of the Box Elder County Search and Rescue Team. Known for his extraordinary achievements despite working with two artificial legs, Christensen’s story is one of resilience, ingenuity, and unwavering leadership in the face of adversity. His detailed recounting of a silo rescue, where teamwork and problem-solving and the dangers of confined s...
In this engaging episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by Darell “Top Fin” Gelakoska, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #281, whose remarkable career is now captured in the memoir TOP FIN: Tales of Courage and Chaos from a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer written by fellow Rescue Swimmer #122, George Cavallo. Together, we explore Gelakoska’s journey through the Coast Guard — from the origins of his nickname “Top Fin” to the rescues that defined his career. The discussi...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Javier Lozano, from Avincis, decorated Spanish Air Force pilot and commander of Valencia’s maritime rescue helicopter unit. Lozano and his crew earned the Vertical Valor Blades of Valor recognition for their involvement with the Valencia floods. A night rescue carried out in poor weather conditions and an urban environment with unmarked obstacles like cranes, antennas, and high-voltage cables.The helicopter managed to r...
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn records in person with Kurt Revels, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #243. Revels takes us through his journey from the grueling days of Rescue Swimmer School to the intensity of real-world missions across multiple duty stations, including Chicago-Illinois, Mobile-Alabama, Kodiak-Alaska and Traverse City-Michigan. He shares stories of his first rescue, daring cliff operations, and missions in rough seas, all while reflecting o...
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