They Had Their Shoes On and Everything episode 168

So there he was…35 feet above the water, at night, trying to airlift survivors. What happens next involves a suitcase, a shrug, and one hell of a throw. Join So There I Was as Coast Guard helo pilot “Sticks” returns to recount harrowing rescues during the Texas floods—where flying into chaos is just another Tuesday.

From medevacs that look more like belly-flop contests to triaging 170 people solo in rising waters, Sticks paints a vivid—and frequently absurd—picture of what real-world Coast Guard rescues look like. We talk dynamic rollovers, helicopter dogfights (yep), shared controls (don’t try this at home), and why some paramedics apparently prefer jumping out of perfectly good aircraft with their shoes still on.

This one’s funny, terrifying, and humbling. Spoiler: someone ends up soaking wet, and it’s not just the patient.

🎧 Strap in. You’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, and you’ll come away thanking your local Coastie.