The Real ResQ Podcast

ASTerisk - Dave Weber National Park Climbing Ranger and Flight Paramedic presents Team Dynamics

In this special ASTerisks episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn welcomes back Dave Weber, experienced National Park Climbing Ranger and flight paramedic. With his time divided between the rugged landscapes of Teton National Park in Wyoming and Denali National Park in Alaska, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation.

Fresh off the 4th Annual Helicopter Hoist Operator (HHO) Symposium and Goodrich User Conference in Baden-Baden, Germany, Weber and I took the opportunity to sit down and capture one of his insightful presentations on Team Dynamics. Having delivered this talk at various conferences and venues, Dave's expertise in the field is well-established, and this time we wanted to bring it directly to our listeners.

What makes this episode particularly special is the personal touch Dave adds to the conversation. He tells a real-life rescue story in which he and his teammate played a pivotal role. His firsthand account serves as a powerful proof of concept for how effective team dynamics can be in high-pressure situations. Whether you're part of a rescue team, work in a corporate setting, or lead any group, this episode offers valuable insights you can apply to your own team.

This is an engaging and educational discussion on how to strengthen team performance and enhance collaboration in any environment. Enjoy!

 

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Episode 198 FROST - The Fast Response Operational Safety Teams

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by Joe Sarber and Bob Yanacsek, founders of FROST.

FROST is a company that provides Fast Response Operational Safety Teams (FROST) for airshows. They specialize in creating a safe environment and providing immediate support in case of incidents or emergencies. The team consists of first responders and firefighters who are trained in aircraft rescue and firefighting. 

The team strategically sets up their equipment and vehicles near the runway to ensure a quick response time. FROST also acts as a consultant to local fire departments, providing them with extraction plans and guidance on handling aircraft-related incidents. The team travels to airshows across the United States and has a close-knit relationship with the performers and other industry professionals. 

FROST has responded to various incidents at airshows, including a plane that accidentally shut off its engine mid-air, a plane swap gone wrong, and a crowd member who had a stroke and hit his head. They have also been recognized with two awards: the Pinnacle Award for Service Providers in the International Council of Air Shows (ICAST) in 2018, and the Des Barker Safety Award in 2022. Enjoy!

 

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Episode 197 Joe Sarber - Firefighter:FAO - Paulding County Fire Department, Georgia, USA

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by Joe Sarber, a firefighter from Georgia. 

They discuss Sarber's journey to becoming a firefighter. He shares a story about his first structure fire and all the rookie mistakes he made. He also discusses the challenges and lessons he learned from these experiences, highlighting the importance of teamwork and continuous learning in the fire service. 

Sarber tells about a rescue he and his team pulled out of an active fire. They had to go into the house, find the victim, and pull the victim to safety. They accomplished this task and their rescue earned him a Public Safety Appreciation Award from the Paulding County Board of Commissioners.

Sarber talks in great detail about the trench rescue call he responded to as a firefighter. He describes the challenges and dangers involved in it and the specialized training required to execute these types of rescues. 

Sarber explains how they called in a neighboring county's department with a semi truck setup for trench rescue to assist. He recounts the process of shoring up the walls and using a vacuum truck to remove dirt around the patient. The rescue involved cutting holes in the walls of two houses under construction to create a lifting point. 

We conclude our conversation with Sarber expressing the impact of the experience on him and his desire to learn more about trench rescues. Enjoy!

 

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Episode 196 James (Jim) Murad, Firefighter Paramedic for Tamarac Fire Rescue, Florida

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by James Murad, a firefighter paramedic from Florida.

Murad discusses receiving the PuroClean Superhero Award and the surprise of being nominated for a national award. We also recount his first significant calls, including a cardiac alert and a trauma code. He emphasizes the importance of thorough assessments and the need to expose patients to properly treat them. 

Murad shares a particularly challenging call involving a motor vehicle crash on the Fourth of July, where multiple children were injured. He reflects on the emotional impact of losing a patient and the difficulty of comforting the family in such situations. 

Murad shares a few more intense and memorable experiences from his career as a firefighter. A young girl suffered internal bleeding and became a trauma alert and a building collapsed in Surfside, Florida, where he was involved in the recovery efforts. He emphasizes the importance of appreciating where you are in your career while still striving for growth and advancement. Enjoy!

 

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Episode 195 U.S. Coast Guard Crew Saves Six Lives From the Sailing Vessel Barlovento

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by an entire U.S. Coast Guard Crew: Pilots Ryan O’Neill and Adam Ownbey; flight mechanic Peter Gaudet; and Spencer Manson, Rescue Swimmer No. 999. 

The crew recounts their experience of saving six lives during a rescue mission. Facing challenging conditions, including hurricane-force winds and 20-foot seas, as they located a disabled sailboat with six people on board. 

The crew had to devise a plan to hoist the rescue swimmer, Spencer, down to the water and then onto the moving sailboat. The team worked together to overcome the obstacles and successfully rescued all the survivors. 

The crew members were recognized for their heroic actions and awarded Air Medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross. 

Spencer recounts his experience of being hoisted in the water and his struggle to climb onto a passing sailboat. The helicopter crew had their own concerns about fuel and the decision to send the rescue basket to retrieve Spencer.

Once the crew successfully hoisted Spencer and a survivor from the water, they made their way back to shore; however, the rescue did not end there. As soon as they landed, the crew needed to prepare to go back out to help rescue the remaining people on the boat. 

The crew discusses details of the rescue operation and reflects on what they would do differently if they ever found themselves once again in a similar situation. They talk about the challenges of communication and coordination with multiple assets involved in the rescue. 

The crew emphasizes the importance of training outside of their comfort zones and practicing new techniques. They also highlight the need to carefully consider the risks and benefits of disconnecting the swimmer from the hoist cable. Overall, the team shares their experiences and lessons learned from the rescue. Enjoy!

 

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Episode 194 Adam Sustachek - U.S. Coast Guard Flight Mech

In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Adam Sustachek, a United States Coast Guard flight mechanic.  He shares his experiences and rescues during his 25-year career in the Coast Guard. 

Sustachek discusses his background and how he joined the military. He talks about his time stationed in various locations, including Sitka, Alaska, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina. He recounts his first rescue and the challenges he faced during the mission. He also shares the details of a daring night rescue in severe weather conditions, which earned him a Coast Guard Commendation Medal. 

We discuss his experiences during Hurricane Katrina and his deployment to New Orleans. He talks about the challenges they faced, including the long flight from San Diego to Louisiana, and the limited tools and facilities they had. He also describes the devastation they witnessed and the rescue missions they conducted, including finding an elderly man who had been stranded in his flooded house. He emphasizes the resilience of the people of Louisiana and the support they received from the local community. 

Sustachek recounts a rescue mission where they had to navigate treacherous conditions to save three fishermen stranded on rocks, and one where he had to rescue a group of people stranded on a foggy island. 

Sustachek also discusses the emotional toll of losing colleagues in helicopter accidents and the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance and preparedness in the field. He emphasizes the opportunities for personal and professional growth in the Coast Guard and encourages others to step outside their comfort zones. Enjoy!

 

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Episode 193 Curt Newport Recovery Diver and Author

In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Curt Newport, a deep ocean search and recovery expert in salvaging wreckage from underwater incidents. 

Newport discusses his background growing up in a military family and how he got into diving and deep water recovery. He recounts his first salvage operation after Air India Flight 182 went down off the coast of Ireland in 1985. He also talks about his involvement in the recovery of fragments from the Challenger space shuttle and TWA Flight 800. 

Newport's book, 'Ready to Dive,' provides detailed accounts of his various operations. Working on recovery missions for military aircraft and torpedoes. The challenges of working in the Gulf Stream and the current and weather conditions they had to navigate. He also shares anecdotes about his time on the recovery ships.

Newport also mentions his involvement in the recovery of a C-2A Greyhound aircraft in the Philippine Sea and the difficulties they encountered in recovering the remains of the flight crew. He shares stories of crashes and the difficulties of recovering wreckage from the ocean floor. Newport also mentions his interest in racing and his experiences as a racing driver. Enjoy!

 

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Episode 192 John Whiddon U.S. Coast Guard Pilot (Ret)

In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by John Whiddon, a former United States Coast Guard pilot. 

Whiddon shares experiences and stories from his career. He talks about his journey to becoming a pilot and the training that he received from experienced veterans. He recounts his first rescue as a pilot, which involved the famous band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He also shares a humorous story about an incident involving a relief tube in the cockpit. 

Whiddon also discusses his time in Alaska and the challenging rescues he was involved in. These rescues earned him two Distinguished Flying Crosses for his heroic actions. One of the first missions involved the rescue of 20 survivors from a stricken passenger vessel that had caught fire in the Gulf of Alaska. Despite challenging weather conditions and limited visibility, he skillfully guided the helicopter to safely hoist the survivors to safety. 

Our conversation continues with a story where Whidden and his crew faced extreme weather conditions and saved two lives from the fishing vessel Bluebird. As we discuss this mission, he highlights the challenges of hovering over the ocean at night and the importance of having a rescue swimmer. Whiddon emphasizes the role of faith and divine intervention in the successful outcome of the mission. The crew received numerous awards and recognition for their heroic actions. John also discusses the importance of creating a safe environment for pilots and aircrew to seek help when needed. Enjoy!

 

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Episode 191 Sean Daniell - Canadian SAR Tech #529

In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Sean Daniell, a Canadian SARTech (search-and-rescue technician). They discuss Daniell’s background, his training as a SARTech, and some of the intense experiences he has had in the field. 

Daniell shares stories of rescues, survival training, and his work as a paramedic. He highlights the physical and mental challenges faced by SARTechs and the importance of their role in saving lives. Daniell discusses his training as a SARTech and his experiences in the field. He talks about the importance of acclimatizing to the cold and learning survival skills in the Arctic. He also shares his training in diving, water survival, and parachuting. 

Daniell recounts his first rescue mission, which involved a plane crash, and discusses the challenging and sometimes gruesome aspects of search-and-rescue operations. He discusses his progression as a SARTech and the responsibilities that come with different roles. He shares a rescue mission that haunted him and reflects on the experience of pronouncing someone dead. He also talks about his training at the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School (AHRS) in Astoria, Oregon, and the valuable skills he learned there. He mentions the camaraderie between Canadian and U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers and the importance of specialized training.

In this final part of the conversation, Daniell talks about a rescue mission in the mountains where they had to perform a vehicle extraction and rope rescue. He also shares a training scenario in Okanagan Lake where they ended up getting stuck in the mud. Daniell discusses the importance of cross-training with other countries and shares his experiences working with the Swiss, and also the country of Iceland. He concludes by talking about his own injuries and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life. Enjoy!

 

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Episode 190 Luke Johnson U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #766

In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn is joined by Luke Johnson, U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #766.

Johnson shares many of his experiences and rescues. While stationed in Puerto Rico, he recounts a rescue mission involving 34 illegal immigrants, who had been abandoned by smugglers on Isla Monito. Johnson also describes a cruise ship rescue where he hoisted an elderly heart attack victim from the ship. Additionally, he shares a unique experience of being left on Palomino Island after rescuing a fisherman. Stranded on the island, he was forced to row a boat back to shore in the Caribbean. Another story focuses on a more intense rescue operation where Johnson saved three lives after a boat capsized in rough waters.

We had fun talking about his experiences working in Hollywood, participating in the Amazing Race, and training with NASA. He also discusses his transition out of the Coast Guard and his current career in safety and risk management. 

Johnson emphasizes the importance of recognizing the value of military skills in the civilian world and being open to new opportunities. He also highlights the significance of CPR training and the potential to save lives in emergency situations. Enjoy!

 

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