27 Bullets. One SEAL. One Rescue.

27 Bullets. One SEAL. One Rescue.

Author: Brian Dickinson July 2, 2025 Duration: 1:01:28

When the call comes in, there’s no room for hesitation. This episode dives into the brutal pace and intensity of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) in active war zones. Hear firsthand accounts of missions flown into fire, lives saved under pressure, and the resilience it takes to go back again and again.U.S. Navy Aircrewman, Paul Picotti, provides details into multiple hot zone mission-sets, including the exfil of Navy SEAL, Mike Day, after surviving being shot 27 times. This is an intense episode with a crap ton of wisdom gleaned from the front lines!Calm in the Chaos: The Rescue Swimmer PodcastUntold Stories from U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue SwimmerSo Others May Live!Official Keep Calm in the Chaos merchandise: https://shop.calminthechaospodcast.comFor more content, subscribe to our channel and follow @TheCalmintheChaosPodcast:Twitter: https://x.com/briancdickinson/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandickinson/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briancdickinson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briancdickinson


There’s a moment in every rescue when training meets turbulence, and a person must decide to step into the storm. Calm in the Chaos-U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Podcast is built around those moments, sharing firsthand accounts from the men and women who have lived them. Host Brian Dickinson, drawing from his own experience as a former Navy Rescue Swimmer and an author who has faced extreme environments, guides these conversations with a rare understanding. Each episode unfolds a real mission, but the focus often settles on what happens between the orders-the split-second decisions, the managed fear, and the profound humanity required to save a life in perilous conditions. This isn't just about historical operations; it's an intimate exploration of the grit, mindset, and quiet faith that define these individuals. The podcast has found a dedicated audience, ranking in the top tier of podcasts globally, precisely because it goes beyond the heroics to examine the tangible calm forged in chaos. While not affiliated with the U.S. Navy or Department of Defense, the stories offer an authentic window into a world where running toward danger is the job description. Listeners will hear voices often reserved for debrief rooms, sharing narratives of loss, survival, and the weight of the helmet, all framed by Dickinson’s grounded perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 55

Calm in the Chaos - U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Podcast
Podcast Episodes
10 Years as a Navy Rescue Swimmer to Reptile Storyteller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:04
For ten years, Tommy Maxwell served as a U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer, operating under pressure, saving lives, and learning from some of the best — including the late Master Chief Tony DiCenso, a legend in the SAR c…
Navy Rescue Swimmer’s Life-or-Limb Decision During Hurricane Katrina [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:45
When Hurricane Katrina unleashed chaos across the Gulf Coast, Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Tim Hawkins was sent into the storm. In the middle of the devastation, he faced an unthinkable decision — save a life or risk los…