When Preparation Meets the Moment

You may have seen the recent headlines about a car driving into the Chesapeake Bay—and the rescue that followed.

The woman behind the wheel was having a bad day. She was willing to end it all.

She had no idea that an off-duty Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer was ordering lunch nearby.

When Jeremy Way heard the splash, he didn’t hesitate. He did what training builds into you long before the moment arrives—he responded.

Others joined him in the frigid water, and within minutes they pulled her free, just seconds before the vehicle fully submerged and sank.

I had the honor of sitting down with my fellow Rescue Swimmer to talk through what happened, the decisions made, and why moments like this are never accidental.

Watch the full interview here:

In this episode:

• 17 years as an active-duty Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer

• What training builds into decision-making under pressure

• The off-duty water rescue that made national headlines

• Why instinct takes over when time runs out

• Service, responsibility, and staying ready when no one’s watching

Most moments to help don’t come with headlines. They show up quietly, in ordinary places. The question isn’t whether we’ll be in the right place—it’s whether we’re paying attention and willing to respond when someone needs us.

—
Brian Dickinson
Author. Speaker. Host of Calm in the Chaos Podcast
briandickinson.net