Welcome to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this two-part episode join hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider for an in depth interview with Rhett Draehn.

Rhett is paramedic, and the current safety director at CareFlite in Texas. His story is nothing short of extraordinary. Back in 2012, Rhett and his crew were involved in a devastating helicopter crash while responding to pick up a patient from a scene call.

Thankfully, all crew members survived, and Rhett is here today to walk us through the moments leading up to the crash, the immediate aftermath, and his long road to recovery – both physically and mentally

But this isn’t just a story of survival. It’s about resilience, the evolution of aviation safety, and the critical role of Crew Resource Management (CRM) in preventing future incidents. Rhett’s insights serve as a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility we all have in ensuring safety in the skies.

So buckle in—this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Precision Aviation Group, and Vertical Valor Magazine.

As brief disclaimer to our audience: Listener discretion is advised, as this episode includes discussions of a real-life helicopter crash and its aftermath. We recognize this may be a sensitive topic, and these discussions and personal experiences are shared only to foster learning and awareness surrounding aviation safety in the HEMS industry.

If you or a fellow flight crew member is struggling, know you are not alone. ECHO Flight-crew Assistance & Support Team (FAST) or other peer support groups as well as your local Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/counselling services are here to help.