document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Nick Anderson has been serving on Active Duty in the U.S. Navy for the last 10 years. Get the latest in military news, entertainment and gear in your inbox daily. They call it a machine, and thats what it is. Those have already been investigated extensively nothing was substantiated, said Amescua, now retired from rescue swimming, calling the allegations far-fetched and adding that a team from headquarters was involved in the investigation. She flew many lifesaving missions as a helicopter pilot, including the rescue of a 3-year-old boy who had fallen into the . Senior Chief Aviation Survival TechnicianBenjamin "Ben" Randall, USCG (MIA, 2006) Rescue swimmer, CGAS Kodiak (2006September 29, 2006, MIA) Kevin Costner: The Guardian. Here is a list of 13 folkswho embodied the Coast Guard ethos: The ultimate hero of the Coast Guard is arguably Douglas Munro. If they pass, then their collateral duty is to be the Swimmer for their respective vessel. Sara was forced to endure unwarranted humiliation, embarrassment, and isolation for honoring the Coast Guards core values of HONOR, RESPECT and DEVOTION TO DUTY, wrote Francesco Thompson, her shipmate in 2000. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. had been a legend told by generations of Coasties. The post was emblematic of the hostility she said she faced, and all the more illuminating because it was on an otherwise congratulatory thread below her photo when the department honored her as Veteran of the Day.. Primary stressors for her condition are work-related stress issues. Rescue swimmers usually are charged with the rescue, assessment, and rendering of medical aid to persons in distress in the sea, on the land, or in the air. After earning something as prestigious as becoming a rescue swimmer, all she wanted was to do the job like everyone else.. In the U.S. Coast Guard, more than 2,500 members are on-record for refusing . Ken Serrano, Asbury Park Press. Its report, issued in April 2019, cited fears of sexual assault and harassment, especially in units with only one or two women assigned and units in remote, isolated environments.. Through the darkness, the Soldiers pushed forward toward Sign up for our newsletter and receive the mighty updates! Related Article Coast Guard Jobs List: A List of all 24 Ratings in the Coast Guard. A rescue swimmer saves Tom Cruise's character Maverick in Top Gun. Managed an annual food budget of $365,000. What about pay? When I lived in Australia in the early 80s all my neighbors and work colleagues utterly adored their Coast Guardsmen who attend Aviation Survival Technician A-School willingly undergo the most physically strenuous school the Coast . Interdicted 1300 lbs of . Her accomplishment of being the first woman to graduate from the Coast Guards sixteen-week training program and then work as a rescue swimmer came about partly by coincidence. It predates the Navy by several years and is older than most other federal government organizations. The White House publicized the call in a press release and Biden himself bragged about calling him. The first female U.S. Navy rescue swimmer was HMC Catherine Elliott (Rizzo). The most-viewed rescue swimming event in the media was a marine rescue done by rescue swimmers during the Webtel.mobi Intercontinental Challenge on November 25, 2009. Rod Powers was the U.S. Military expert for The Balance Careers and was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. He was one of three that graduatedand for one of those guys, it was his second time . Her complaints were . Sara mentioned how frustrating it would be and lonely for her to be constantly alienated and daily having to work harder and prove more, but at the same time being treated like a minority, Gonzalez wrote in October 2013. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy has its own unit of rescue swimmers as well. . She was nominated by the International Maritime Organization for recognition of exceptional bravery at sea in 2010, the year she transferred to Clearwater. . A third standby rescue swimmer was John Brokaar, also a former special operator from Special Forces. Like Coast Guard members they perform sea-based and land-based rescues, though this portion of their duties is not assigned as frequently. Jul 2014 - Jul 20162 years 1 month. Early Friday afternoon, the Coast Guard shared stunning video of a rescue made a few hours earlier in which a newly minted rescue swimmer lowered by cable from a helicopter swam to a 35-foot (11 . US Coast Guard 2020 by Cooke NC Rescue Swimmer Completes 1st Rescue on Cruise Ship | Military This woman was the first toplete Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Coast Guard members recognized for heroism in hurricane search Rescue swimmer The Waterlogged Hell of Bing a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer | GQ Wife's sex abuseplaint derails U.S. rescue . Though ASTs experience some of the most demanding schooling and training of any known U.S. Military unit, there are no reported deaths during training. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. An approximate 75-100 attend training for the team each year and some progress to become specialists of the unit. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, MIGHTY NETWORKS, 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, How two military spouses are bringing faith to the military community. Rescue Swimmers with the U.S. Coast Guard must have EMT skills, and there are even higher demands for the Coast Guard Air Station in Sitka, Alaska. in Accounting and is a graduate student at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, pursuing an M.B.A. in Finance. The final operational phase is used to evaluate the individual's ability to use all previously learned skills and will be the deciding factor in awarding the qualification to Wings Standard. U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer. One of the doctors who evaluated her recommended not that she be discharged but that she be moved out of her environment. Do smart phones have planned obsolescence? Here is a list of 13 folks who embodied the Coast Guard ethos: 1. The Coast Guard rescue swimmer training program is very challenging and is one of the toughest U.S. military training courses. So others may live Rescue swimmer school is conducted at the Coast Guard Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Those who have been involuntarily separated from service receive a general discharge and are still entitled to benefits, with the opportunity to rejoin the military if they get the vaccine, according to the Military Times. Reportedly, only 75100 Coast Guard personnel attend the school each year. Coast Guard brass liked to feature Faulkner in the news media after her accomplishment in 2000, and especially after her daring rescues during 2005s Hurricane Katrina, which live on in YouTube videos and in a documentary film. Her commanding officer still sought to impose an honorable discharge for Faulkner in 2002. They are trained as combatants and paramedics, operating on air, sea, and land, and are considered, along with Air Force combat controllers, among the most elite of the U.S. military's Special Operations forces. This is an affront not just to her and other women in the armed services, but to all Americans who respect and value those who defend our freedoms and who protect us in our greatest hour of need. most especially the U.S. Coast Guard and the mariner who spotted the . The Most Decorated Female Soldier in the History of Modern Warfare. The service has 29 percent fewer apprentice rescue swimmers than required and it graduated only 15 percent of those who attended the school last year. In an institution that prides itself in cohesiveness, to leave no soldier behind, we are failing, Speier said at the start of the hearing, held in the wake of the murder in Texas of a female soldier. 4 Where do Coast Guard rescue swimmers get stationed? It was reported that in the first five days following Katrina, Coast Guard crews performed more than 33,500 rescue and hoist operations of Katrina victims stranded on rooftops and in flood water. Any tan Kutcher had when he started The Guardian was long gone by the time he finally toweled off. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Seaman Apprentice William Flores, just eighteen years old and a year out of boot camp, stayed on board as the cutter sank, strapping the life jacket locker open with his belt, giving his own life jacket to those struggling in the water, and giving aid to those wounded on board. Candidates can further improve their odds of becoming a specialist AST by taking the Ocean Life Guard course with the Red Cross. I knew all that going in, so I basically tripled, quadrupled what the standards were for the physical fitness test, Faulkner said, knowing that other women had complained privately of being sabotaged. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. All fully qualified AWS crewmen are also gunners. 500-meter full gear swim, followed by a 400-meter buddy tow in 26 minutes or less, 400 meter swim in 11 min (Free style, Side Stroke, or Breast Stroke), This page was last edited on 16 February 2023, at 01:15. In January 2021, Carlson was on duty when an alarm went off regarding a disabled panga boat more than 100 miles offshore. Kevin G. Hall, Miami Herald The Webtel.mobi Intercontinental Challenge was the first attempted intercontinental flight between Africa and Europe by man using jetwings, and it was broadcast live worldwide on television. "We snagged Aqua Man," said Chief of Coast Guard Aviation Capt. 1 How many rescue swimmers are in the Coast Guard? These swimmers deploy only from ships and boats, and are tethered to a line handler stationed on board the vessel. ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, Coast Guard Jobs List: A List of all 24 Ratings in the Coast Guard, List Of 9 Army Patches And Their Meanings, Army Sharpshooter Badge: 6 Things To Know, Army Service Ribbon (ASR): 5 Things To Know, Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM): 8 Things To Know, The preparation and maintenance of emergency flotation devices (fancy word for rafts), Storage and handling of aviation ordnance and pyrotechnic devices, Be in superior physical shape with no chronic orthopedic problems, Have a high level of mental acuity and military bearing, High degree of confidence in, around, and below water (goes without saying! While stationed in Mobile, she also came to national attention as part of the air crews that saved lives in 2005 during and after Katrina, and her accounts of rescuing nearly 50 people in one night have been archived by historians. What does a rescue swimmer do in the Coast Guard? Rescue swimmers usually are charged with the rescue, assessment, and rendering of medical aid to persons in distress in the sea, on the land, or in the air. They will locate and penetrate the site, then treat and evacuate casualties. The typical US Navy Rescue Swimmer salary is $4,277. Prospective U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers are physically conditioned to meet high physical fitness standards. But this tiny cadre of athletes, typically numbering between 300 and 400, conduct some of the highest risk, highest-stakes rescues around the world. They must also complete six months of apprenticeship before completing the syllabus and officially becoming a team member. However, there are many other benefits to serving the U.S. Military that your typical job does not cover. Getting wet was not a favourite pastime. These are specially trained divers with some advanced techniques including abseiling, and some are also qualified as emergency medical technicians (comparable to Advanced EMT in United States) to provide medical treatments. Your email address will not be published. She was also the first woman to graduate from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron in Jacksonville, Florida, and become a rescue swimmer on December 16, 1983. It includes the following phases: ground phase, medical phase, winter operations phase, arctic operations phase, dive phase, sea operations phase, parachuting operations phase, mountain operations phase, and operational/consolidation phase. The Basic SAR TECH course is 11 months in duration. Carlson, 30, who saved the lives of nine people suffering from hypothermia in a migrant vessel off the coast of Southern California, has been selected as Military Times' 2022 Coast Guardsman of the Year. Found throughout the United States and overseas, you'll see Boatswain's Mates (BMs)the most versatile member of the Coast Guardeverywhere. On the History Channel reality show Top Shot, one of the marksmen is U.S. Navy rescue swimmer Jamie Franks. 3 How many Coast Guard rescue swimmers have died on duty? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. For their heroism, the crew received the Gold Lifesaving Medal and their heroic efforts were immortalized in the Disney movie, The Finest Hours. Subscribe to Duffel Blog to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives. Faulkner is retired in West Palm Beach now, volunteering at an animal rescue in Jupiter Farms. That supervisor, Albert Amescua, denied the allegations. I got bombarded by them afterwards, she said. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. For a long time, one or two women tried and failed every year to pass the rigid Coast Guard swim tests. "The President thanked them for saving lives and asked for a report on the work that continues to rescue Floridians. The use of the words U.S. Coast Guard, USCG and other Coast Guard related symbols does not constitute a U.S. Coast Guard endorsement. According to the same source, the pay is approximately 27 percent lower than the national average for rescue swimmers. High seas, medical evacuations, downed aviators, sinking vessels, and hurricanes are some of the deadly scenarios that Coast Guard rescue swimmers are trained to handle. Ray Carmichael. As he commanded a group of Higgins boats at the Battle of Guadalcanal, Munro coordinated the evacuation of more than 500 Marines who came under heavy fire, using his boat as a shield to draw fire. They would set her up, recalled Michael Peterson, who was the senior enlisted adviser overseeing enlistees in Mobile, and who defended her up the ranks. The mouth of the Columbia River can be an extremely treacherous place for mariners. . Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Standards for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. In rare cases, the attrition rate has been 80%. The Coast Guard continued to feature her in publications and online one in March 2012 shows a tired Faulkner on a helicopter next to four rescued Bahamian fishermen. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Here crewman learn the various systems in the helicopter in which they will be flying. Biden called Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Zach Loesch on Sept. 30, asking for a report on the Coast Guard's work and if they needed any additional support to accelerate rescues, according to a press release from the White House. The schooling and training is some of the most demanding you will find in any branch of the U.S. Military. To reach . Two women had trained at the Navys rescue swimmer program, but Faulkner was the first to pass the testing program in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 6 Is it hard to become a rescue swimmer in the military? The Coast Guard's motto, Semper Paratus (Always Ready), is proven time and again in its readiness to deploy. However, he said he did not want to bring up his issues with vaccination while on the call. Rescue swimmer is a designation given to rescue specialists, most commonly in the service of the military. The PJs are often sought out for use by other branches of the military because of their high-quality training and versatility. The cowards who allowed and enabled this injustice must be held to account.. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Out visiting some key accounts with the Whelen Engineering #mustangmache over the next few days! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. United States Air Force rescue swimmers are called pararescuemen (PJs) and perform sea-based and land-based rescues, although the rescue swimmer portion of their duties is sparsely used. Loesch applied for a religious accommodation and appeal but was denied both times, he claims. FILE: A U.S. Coast Guard member is hoisted out out the water by Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew during a rescue demonstration as part of a media availability, Thursday, June 9, 2022. The Coast Guard requires you to take a monthly test, which ensures that youre keeping in the shape they need you in. Stuart Sterzel was also the CEO of Webtel.mobi, the company staging the event. The rehearsal took place during a rough-sea state and high winds, and was done to confirm that the rescue swimmers would be able to carry out an effective rescue in the dangerous conditions in the area, which include very strong rip currents, high swells, and cold water temperature in the North Atlantic. (U.S. Coast Guard photo) The ultimate hero of the Coast Guard is arguably Douglas Munro. [citation needed] How many Coast Guard rescue swimmers have died? On a cadet trip to Seattle on the U.S.S. She had to find a lawyer just to stay in long enough to collect her full retirement. It is my recommendation that a change in her work environment would be beneficial for her and aid in the improvement of her condition, wrote Dr. Ashok Patel in February 2013. Supervised 30 food service attendants. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. In Japan, air-sea rescue operations are mainly conducted by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). She had recently read Dr. Laura Schlessinger's Ten Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Their Lives, one of which, according to Karen was, "following their husbands around . Aug 25, 2016. There is only a reported 75 to 100 candidates that are selected each year for training. This estimate is based upon 5 US Navy Rescue Swimmer salary report (s) provided by employees or estimated based upon statistical methods. The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer School is based out of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. 1 Stretching thin a workforce that operates under some of the most demanding conditions is a recipe for unnecessary injury or even loss of life. AWS will associate with MH-60S and AWR will associate with MH-60R. Faulkner eventually won that fight to remain in the Coast Guard. MILESTONES. In addition to EMT training, ASTs are required to attend a one-week Advanced Helicopter Rescue School (AHRS) at a station in Washington. Although aviation Rescue Swimmer's primary job is to search and recover downed pilots, there is a multitude of training for tactics. I could see them look down, or shield their eyes. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Are Females Allowed? Rescue swimmer is the collateral duty or aircrew position of the AST. While Katrina brought domestic and international news coverage to Coast Guard rescue swimmers and their crews, their story was first shown on television in a series of 1999 specials on Discovery Channel, Coast Guard: Rescue Swimmers and Coast Guard: Helicopters to the Rescue. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. How do you know if a website is outdated? In a readout of Biden's call with Loesch and the other service members, the White House said, "The President thanked them for saving lives and asked for a report on the work that continues to . An approximate 75-100 attend training for the team each year and some progress to become specialists of the unit. In that proceeding, several character witnesses from the Coast Guard ranks added voice to her charge of harassment. Qualified recruits who volunteer for rescue swimmer training are advanced to paygrade E-2 (apprentice) after successful completion of recruit training. That lasted my entire rescue-swimmer career., She said the formal complaints didnt stop her superior from licking her collar bone on the job, grabbing her forcefully or telling her that I smelled good for him.. Living by the motto, So others may live, rescue swimmers put their skills to the test for others each time they leap into the sea. Sit-ups: 60. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers have been called upon in emergency situations such as natural disasters involving heavy flooding or hurricanes in the past. During the evacuation, he was fatally wounded, but his last words were, Did they get off?. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! The Level II and III syllabuses that a Rescue Swimmer must complete involve training on specific missions such as HVBSS, CSAR, SOF support, CAS, DA, PR, and SUW. They would use her for recruiting, said Mario Vittone, a now-retired rescue swimmer who did tours in North Carolina and New Orleans and was a confidante for and mentor to Faulkner. Despite the plaudits, Loesch told Breibert News that in 30-60 days, he will be removed from the military after Biden expressed his intent to approve a mandate making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for service members in August last year. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The Coast Guard holds a one-week Advanced Helicopter Rescue School (AHRS, formerly known as Advanced Rescue Swimmer School) at Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment, Washington, which is host to Air Force pararescuemen (PJs), Navy rescue swimmers, and foreign rescue departments as well. It's funny because I remember hearing news about the Coast Guard come on the television and I would always tell my family to be quiet so I could listen. Its very rewarding. Lets explore the world of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer below, Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers Vs. Air Force Pararescue. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". David Jarvis, Ellsworth Bertholf, and Samuel Call snowshoed more than 1,500 miles to Point Barrow, Alaska to rescue hundreds of fishermen who were trapped in ice after winter came early in 1897. It averages to about $18 per hour. Kittihawk, Faulkner talked to the Naval rescue swimmers. The release of the 2006 motion picture The Guardian, starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher, introduced viewers to this small group of elite rescue workers. What does a Coast Guard rescue swimmer make? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Qualified SAR TECHs have opportunities for advanced training and promotion. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. It is a good baseline for what you can expect as an AST. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Coast Guard is facing a shortage of entry-level rescue swimmers. In 2002, Faulkner won transfer to the Coast Guards Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama, and she was deployed there as one of 20 swimmers involved in rescues along the Gulf of Mexico. How much do Navy aviation rescue swimmers get paid? For his heroic feats during Harvey, Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Gantt, a Coast Guard aviation survival technician, or rescue swimmer, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross the U.S. militarys oldest aviation award for heroism in flight during a ceremony in December at the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center . This can be everything from rescuing people from a boat in the middle of a hurricane, to assisting with medical evacuations far out at sea. P resident Joe Biden expressed his gratitude to a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, thanking him for saving lives in response to Hurricane Ian, days before he is poised to be fired for not being . You may have become inspired by the heroics that are reenacted on TV or in movies. According to the U.S. Coast Guard reports, approximately 350 individuals are currently part of the Coast Guard Rescue Team, or Aviation Survival Technicians. These swimmers are generally recruited from the diver-corps (which has a 6-to-10-week diving course from the Danish Navy Diving School) and receive basic helicopter-crash-survival training. This show is best suited for those with a physically driven mindset such as Athletes, Helicopter Rescue Swimmers, Olympians, Air Force Pararescue Jumpers, Marine Recons, Army Rangers, Green Berets, Infantry, Navy Seals . Over her 39 year career, Lewis saved 18 lives. 6 What is the salary of a Coast Guard rescue swimmer? How many rescue swimmers are in the Coast Guard? By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. For comparison, the attrition rate for United States Navy SEAL selection and training is about 75%[1]. Bruckenthal later died from his injuries, the first Coast Guard war casualty since the Vietnam War. Meet the minimum Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score: VE+AR+MK+MC=210 or VE+AR . Upon graduation, candidates must attend seven weeks of training at the Coast Guard's Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) school in Petaluma, California, where ASTs become EMT qualified. 2020 Miami Herald. ASTs may serve at large or small Air Stations servicing HC-130 (Hercules), HU-25 (Falcon), HC-144 (Ocean Sentry), MH-60 (Jayhawk), and MH-65 (Dolphin) aircraft. Salary Ranges for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers The salaries of Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers in the US range from $18,477 to $485,361 , with a median salary of $88,722 . Each branch of the military, including the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Army, have some form of rescue swimmer. Petty Officer Nathan Bruckenthal is one of the modern Coast Guard heroes. Trainees are introduced to extreme water drills and classroom instruction. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Why was the Battle of 73 Easting important? E-8 - Master sergeants/First sergeants/Senior chief petty officers/Senior master sergeants, Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Coast Guard), Coast Guard Bicentennial Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, Navy/Coast Guard Expert Pistol Shot Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, w/2 gold award stars (3, Meritorious Service Medal, w/2 gold award stars (3, Coast Guard Commendation Medal, w/4 gold award stars (5, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, w/2 gold award stars (3, Commandant's Letter of Commendation, w/3 gold award stars (4, Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation, w/"hurricane symbol", Coast Guard Unit Commendation, w/3 gold award stars (4, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, w/2 gold award stars (3, Meritorious Team Commendation, w/2 gold award stars (3, Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, w/1 silver service star (6, National Defense Service Medal, w/1 bronze service star (2, Humanitarian Service Medal, w/3 bronze service stars (4, Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, w/2 bronze service stars (3. She has been through a lot in her Coast Guard career to include heroic acts that I have witnessed in which her life has been in direct danger multiple times.. Some coast-based rescue swimmers with high-speed boats are stationed around the coasts of Denmark. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The Coast Guard's rescue swimmer program was created after the 1983 Marine Electric tragedy, in which a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter team attempted to rescue 34 crew members of the ship the Marine Electric that capsized during a winter storm off the coast of Virginia. For example, Air Force pararescuemen can be attached to elite units to provide their expertise for various operations. They are trained at the U.S. Coast Guard's enlisted Aviation Survival Technician/Rescue Swimmer school at Coast Guard Aviation Technical Training Center, Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Women are allowed to join the U.S. Coast Guard as rescue swimmers. By the time the rescue team arrived on the scene, most of the people in the . I was severely depressed, she recalls, stressing it never affected her on rescue missions where they couldnt screw with me..