Calm in the Chaos

Stories from U.S. Navy rescue swimmers providing a fresh perspective on what it takes to survive some of the most dangerous rescues imaginable, and how that shapes the rest of a person's life.

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 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.