Calm in the Chaos: True Tales from Elite U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers

by Brian Dickinson

Brian Dickinson, famously known for having climbed down Mt. Everest, completely snow blind, is often asked how he managed the incredible feat. He has always attributed it to his faith, and his U.S. Navy Search and Rescue Training, which taught him how to remain calm in moments of chaos. For the first time, Brian takes an in-depth look at the training that saved his life and the missions, both his and others’, where these skills were put to the test to save other people. Over two decades after being honorably discharged from the Navy, Brian is compelled to share his unique military training and experiences. He believes that sharing the training that he received to overcome adversity in the most extreme scenarios can help others to overcome their own personal Everest. Even beyond mountaineering, the military training has rewired Brian’s ability to navigate difficult business, financial, health and relationship challenges. With the chaos of the world continuing to expand, stories from a U.S. Navy rescue swimmer will provide a fresh perspective on what it takes to survive some of the most dangerous situations, and how that shapes the rest of a person’s life.

Genres: Aviation

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 29, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Brian Dickinson, former US Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer (E5), is an expert in survival, adversity, and overcoming obstacles. In 2011, Brian soloed the summit of Mount Everest, but then went completely snow blind on the descent. Hand over hand he made his way down blind and alone. What should have taken three hours to reach high camp ended up taking him seven hours. Brian took a major fall down the south summit and eventually ran out of supplemental oxygen, but through determined faith and focus he survived the impossible.

Brian has been featured on TV, in magazines, and on websites and podcasts countless times to recount his amazing experience. Notably, he has spoken on major news productions such as CNN with Anderson Cooper and Chris Cuomo, ABC’s Good Morning America, and NBC’s Today Show. Brian is also a motivational speaker, and has delivered speeches to a variety of audiences. In his free time, Brian enjoys spending time with his family mountain climbing and snowboarding. He has climbed the Seven Summits—the tallest mountains on each continent—as well as many others.

He lives in Snoqualmie, WA.

Reviews

[Cory Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I want to thank Brian for writing this book and giving the Search and Rescue community a voice. These stories will be remembered and retold outside of our community forever, and I am grateful for that.

This book is an amazing collection of stories of the brave men and women doing this work, everyday, even as you read this review, it is also something much more than that. It passes along tools and ideas that have been gained from someone who not only understands the challenges in the Aviation Rescue Swimmer Community firsthand, but Brian also continued to grow in incredible ways, took what he has learned, and brought it back to the SAR community and the world to experience. The SAR community is very good at what we do, but we don't think about the why and how we are able to do this.

The veteran community grows every day in EQ, "emotional intelligence" and this is an incredible concept, but our active duty service members are behind the power curve. Having conversations about why and how Rescue Swimmers are able to do what we do, along with the impact it has on our bodies and minds, will ultimately build a stronger future generation of the SAR community.

If you want a deep dive into the coolest job in the Navy, then this book's for you. But, I also think that anyone who likes to push the edge for whatever reason, this book is also for you. I hope this book finds itself in the hands of my young brothers and sisters who don't even know what they are capable of yet. SOML

[JoAnna Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m very proud of my husband for writing this book and encouraging me to contribute in each chapter, so I am biased but I do feel it’s a great read! In it he describes heroic rescues that were enlightening to read about, as well as entertaining. He also describes a lot of his training as a search and rescue swimmer which brought me into his and other’s past experiences. I then added some action steps to make it practical with steps to work through life’s challenges from a counseling perspective. I hope you enjoy Calm in the Chaos and gain respectful insight into these heroes, plus learn valuable lessons to deal with your own personal challenges.

[Bill S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note of correction- Though the book states so, I was not involved in the aircraft that experienced a tail rotor malfunction and crashed into a rice paddy in Indonesia. I did land beside the stricken aircraft and take some of the occupants back to the ship though. That actual particular pilot also has the last name that starts with an S. Overall, good book in an underserved genre that should hopefully motivate some fine young Americans to join the AW ranks.

[Aletha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! I didn't know much about aviation rescue swimmers and this book provided a lot of detail about training, gear, and SOPs in addition to rescue stories. I think my fav part was learning how rescue swimmers deal with panicked victims in the water. Pressure points! Who knew? I also appreciated the fact that I learned that there are aviation rescue swimmers who are women like Melissa Dixon. (Ironically I came across a video about her on YouTube before I got to the part of the book that talks about her.)

I also love helicopters (partially the ones than end in -Hawk) so I was so happy there was lots of helicopter content for me to gorge on.

The concept of adding some personal growth content at the end of the chapters by Dickinson's wife was an interesting concept. At first I thought it was going to be very faith based and will admit that whenever it mentioned stuff about God, I skipped it. As I read the book I felt like the religious aspect was dialed back and it focused on mindfulness and how to be resilient. I stopped skipping over those parts and actually found that content interesting. I appreciated the addition of her insights.

One thing I was curious about was at the end of the book the author mentions that he had to bonk his Annapolis partner several times in the head with the hoist hook to get his partner to stop fighting him and attach him to the rescue strop. Dickinson mentioned he went off the books for that move so I was wondering if he was reprimanded at all for using an unconventional method. I understand that a panicking victim can be dangerous to the aviation rescue swimmer so I assume he wouldn't get in trouble.

I also liked the addition of the story about putting fish in the pilots bags and having to clean them out after they stayed in there for the weekend.

The best rescue story was saved for the last regarding the Bonefish.

Me: "Diesel submarine batteries + leaking seawater?? Uh oh."

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author describes US Navy Aviation Rescue training and reasons for the training exercises. And also provides many examples of how the training was utilized in actual rescues. With some books that provide examples, they all seem to run together and seem very much the same; NOT SO with Calm in the Chaos! Several still boggle my mind and are very moving rescues. Kudos to these brave men and women who put others lives above their own.

One of the things I liked best about Calm in the Chaos is that (besides reading about heroes) this book provides very practical advice in regards to the readers personal journey and putting Calm into the Chaos of daily living.

Very highly recommended.

Publication date of Oct 29, 2024, approx 256 pages, including many pictures :)

Many thanks to NetGalley, author Brian Dickinson and publisher Lyon Press for approving my request to read Calm in the Chaos in exchange for an honest review.

[Irene Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the insight of the training that has to be completed by servicemen- literal heros of today. I love that each true story told, he shares an application for us regular humans. The most salient: remain calm. Easier said than done ! Yet this advice was the most repeated one. Breathing through difficult moments is a major help to get us through it.
Awesome book I am grateful he wrote!

[Michael Romanofski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book about a serious topic

[JPR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredible stories. I wish the vernacular of the book wasn’t so SAR focused. It made it hard to understand for me.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it 4.5 stars. Well written real accounts of what really happens behind the scenes. These rescue swimmers are heroes. The reader is excellent too.