Current firefighter with a life saving accommodation medal for my part in what was the most graphic call/scene I have ever been a part of. We were paged out for an ice rescue this past winter and upon arrival on scene we were briefed shortly before we made our way out onto the lake. We were told there was a vehicle driving on the lake that had submerged and the caller did not see it or any victims resurface. We made our way out on the lake and after a short period of time were able to locate the victims about 3/4 of a mile out from shore. Being on the rescue team that first located the victims, we walked up on what was the most graphic scene I’ve ever been a part of.

We found 3 children stacked on top of each other. The two girls were responsive and hysterical, their brother underneath them face down frozen to the ice and unresponsive. Their father was 3-4 feet directly behind them completely submerged aside from his arm being frozen to the ice, deceased. During the time it took to get the three children on our rescue sled I put my ear to the boys face and heard what can only be described as the faintest, highest pitched breathing I’ve ever heard. After getting the 3 children to shore, I later learned only the girls made it. I struggled with this for several weeks and in short ended up drinking heavily one night and left with my glock 43 with the intention of leaving this world. I passed out before I got the chance to make that final decision and was found by a deputy. I found this podcast shortly after that night and it has been a huge inspiration and part of my recovery and rehabilitation to becoming myself again.