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The Real ResQ Podcast
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.
Episodes
321 episodes
What It Takes to be a Hoist Operator (5 of 6) The Making of an Australian Hoist Operator
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn continues the "What It Takes to Become a Hoist Operator" series with two guests from Australia who represent both the volunteer and professional sides of helicopter rescue operations: K...
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What It Takes to be a Hoist Operator (4 of 6) Becoming a Hoist Operator in Germany | Two Paths, One Profession
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn continues the "What It Takes to Become a Hoist Operator" series with two highly experienced rescue professionals from Germany: Simon Kremser and Sebastian Schneider.Although they...
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What It Takes to be a Hoist Operator (3 of 6) Inside the Travis County Texas STAR Flight Hoist Program
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Brandon Solomon, Andrew Gallagher and Stef Maier from Travis County STAR Flight for another installment in our ongoing series exploring what it takes to become a hoist op...
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What It Takes to be a Hoist Operator (2 of 6) The Canadian Path to Becoming a Hoist Operator with James Dahmer
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down once again with James Dahmer—Air Operations Specialist, Hoist Operator, Rescue Specialist, Paramedic, and longtime search and rescue professional with Blackcomb Helicopters in...
What It Takes to be a Hoist Operator (1 of 6) with the U.S. Coast Guard Flight Mechanics
In this special episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with a group of United States Coast Guard Flight Mechanics, Richard Butler, Justin Leddon and Kyle Turcotte to pull back the curtain on one of the most critical—and of...
Episode 270: Jonny Gray III - Firefighter Paramedic, Air Operations Crew Chief with the Los Angeles County Fire Department
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Johnny Gray III, Firefighter Paramedic, Air Operations Crew Chief with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Gray shares his remarkable journey from growing...
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Episode 269: Shay Williams U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard Pilot
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Shay Williams. A former United States Army and United States Coast Guard helicopter pilot.Williams shares the remarkable journey that took him from growing up on A...
Episode 268: Naude Dreyer - Director of Ocean Conservation Namibia
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by Naude Dreyer, founder of Ocean Conservation Namibia (OCN), marine wildlife rescuer, conservationist, and one of the world's leading experts in disentangling seals from mari...
Episode 267: Mike Park Former Chief Executive Officer Mountain Rescue England and Wales
In this episode of The Real ResQ, host Jason Quinn sits down with Mike Park, the former CEO of Mountain Rescue England and Wales.As a volunteer rescuer with more than 42 years of mountain rescue experience. From his first callout as a te...
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Episode 266: Russ Torgerson U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #68
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn speaks with United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #68 and Coast Guard pilot, Russ Torgerson.Born in Alaska and raised in Colorado, Torgerson originally planned to follow in hi...
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Episode 265: Longview TX Fire Department Respond to a Hot Air Balloon Stuck in a Tower
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, Jason sits down with the Longview Fire Department crew The team responded to what quickly became one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent memory. From the moment the call came in...
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Remembering Our Lost Swimmers: Mike Rinaldi, USCG Rescue Swimmer #445
In this deeply personal and powerful episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn brings together the people who knew United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #445, Mike Rinaldi, best. His widow, Aggie, his family and his fellow rescue sw...
Episode 264: Brad Torrens, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #114
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Brad Torrens, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #114, for a powerful, wide-ranging conversation that spans the early days of Coast Guard aviation through the birth...
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Episode 263: Irish Coast Guard and RNLI Save 14 from the Fishing Vessel FASTNET
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn dives into a dramatic multi-agency rescue off the coast of Dingle, Ireland, where the fishing vessel Fastnet was in distress and it triggered a complex and fast-moving response.F...
Episode 262: Anthony Dyer United States Air Force Special Missions Aviator
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down with Anthony Dyer, former United States Air Force Special Missions Aviator, decorated veteran, and author of Moon Child.Anthony shares his journey from a small town in ...
ASTerisk: Jason Quinn and Dave Weber Present ‘Extreme by Nature, Safe by Design' In-Person, Atlanta, GA 2026
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn sits down in person once again with Dave Weber to dive deeper into a powerful concept at the core of search and rescue: the most dangerous things we do aren’t reckless—they’re calculate...
Episode 261: Texas National Guard San Antonio Alamo DUSTOFF Unit - Their Response to the Kerrville Floods and More
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined with five members of the Texas National Guard’s San Antonio Alamo DUSTOFF unit to talk about the realities of medevac and rescue operations in high-stakes environments....
Episode 260: Shawn Sullivan U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #351
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by Shawn Sullivan, United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer #351.Sullivan talks through a remarkable career that spans some of the most demanding rescue environments in...
Episode 259: An In-Depth Conversation with Erica Zangwill and Dr. Craig McCotter from Air Angels: Flight Helene
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn is joined by Craig McCotter and Erica Zangwill to discuss their pivotal roles in the extraordinary civilian-led relief efforts following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.Togeth...
Episode 258: Mick Kerry Aircrew Officer for Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service Australia
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn speaks with Mick Kerry about his extensive career in Search and Rescue with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.Mick shares firsthand insights from years of responding to emerg...
ASTerisk: Josie McKee, Director of Communications and Operations at Responder Alliance
In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn speaks with Josie McKee, Director of Communications and Operations at Responder Alliance. A conversation on mental health in high-risk p...
Dr. Tony Dice, Counselor Educator & Doctoral-Level Clinician, Navy SEAL, Fireman, Paramedic, Author and Recovering Addict
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...
Episode 257.2 BONUS Feature Scott Ruskan USCG Rescue Swimmer #1096 First Hoist Rescue MEDEVAC Mission
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 tanke...
Episode 257.1 Kerr County, TX Rescue Efforts (7 of 7) - Scott Ruskan USCG Rescue Swimmer #1096, credited for helping rescue 165 people from Camp Mystic
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 Swi...
Episode 256 Kerr County, TX Rescue Efforts (6 of 7) - USCG Crew, Pilot - Ian Hopper, Pilot - Blair Ogujiofor and Flight Mech - Seth Reeves
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 Blai...
