Ripple of Effect

The parallels in this photo send a ripple of effect down the spine.

*All photo credit to the Alaska Solstice Search Dogs Team.

“According to the State Office of Boating Safety, Alaska has 10 times the national average of drowning deaths, but despite the high numbers of water fatalities the bodies of most victims are never recovered. This is in part to the remoteness and make up of most populated communities in Alaska who do not have water rescue or recovery teams due to funding issues.”

Our Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery founder and team captain, Jeremy Lilly, dedicates his heart and mind towards the mentoring and training of his team in order to “provide the Department of Public Safety a statewide capability above and underneath the water's surface … that is ready to deploy for recovery missions anywhere in Alaska usually within two hours of notification.”

Pictured here are two of our state’s search, rescue and recovery teams: Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery and Alaska Solstice Search Dogs (AKSSD) Search, Rescue, and Recovery. As a volunteer for the AK Dive Rescue team I see the above photo and recognize the vulnerability of both the dog and diver in training through a trust building practice. I, fully suited with double tanks, full face mask and a belly full of nerves for the upcoming underwater drill practice expose myself to the rescue dog who has never before witnessed a creature like me and through observed behavior, is equally as butterflied.

Through alerted nervous systems and a safe environment we must inhale trust and exhale the gut’s flutterings in order to serve our united purpose: search, rescue, and recover for the state of Alaska.

As I breathe through the mask to maintain a calm system, the noises thereby alert the dog who is also working to hold steadiness. How are we able to do this?

The answer is time and training. In the first photo are the supportive backs of leaders who dedicate their time to properly train and introduce skills, one step at a time. When times get tough and you are suddenly entangled - stop and find your breath. As Jeremy repeats, “It is a firehose until it is a garden hose.” With a neuroplastic brain the world is as much as you want from it - pictured here are four lives that continue to practice and/or seek the wiring to provide support for those in distress. Here, we unite. (Below is diver Josh training with each dog from the boat after I introduced myself to them on land - ps check out AKSSD website linked above to meet the dogs!)

In order to provide, we have no other choice but to train the mind, body and brain to be a problem solver as well as when to ask for support.

Reciprocity (as defined) is the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit. In this photo, I see reciprocity and the ripple effect: two lives in search for purpose as well as what may be missing sends a signal to the rescuers who are able to guide, sends a signal to recovery, recovery of hope, to families, to the health of our state, to the health of our country, the vibrations and health of our planet.

I share these photos as a behind the scenes to a fraction of what our donated time looks like and I love it. I am truly grateful Jeremy Lilly started this 501(c)(3) non-profit public safety water rescue/dive search and recovery team, it has provided me purpose and new ambitions in life again as well as an unspeakable number of solace to Alaskan families; remembering the ripple effect <3

I appreciated this video from two years ago but also wanted to provide a few ways that anyone listening to this is able to support/donate to Alaska’s Dive Search, Rescue and Recovery Team: Venmo: @jeremy-lilly-6 / Cash App: $akdiversq / PayPal: akdiversq@gmail.com / Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akdiverescue/

Thank you AKSSD for capturing these photos; Josh, Austin, and Andrew it is genuinely great training alongside you.