"The Real Guardians” is the true stories of five Coast Guard Helicopter Pilots and Rescue Swimmers, these first responders are the unsung heroes from the deluge of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina - American history changed August 29, 2006; early that morning Hurricane Katrina assaulted the Gulf Coast near the Louisiana-Mississippi borders. She left an indelible mark on the landscape and psyche of our great nation. Between these pages are five stories of selfless heroes that put themselves in harms way "So Others May Live". The brave men and women of the United Stated Coast Guard serve our country everyday, standing-by to render assistance to their fellow countrymen. This book is more then the glory of their rescues, it delves into the people that chose a life of service saving and helping their fellow Americans. Reading their stories reveals more of what it takes and how fate brought them over the stricken city of New Orleans in the wake of Katrina. Armed with state-of-the-art helicopters, rescue equipment and superior training, these "Real Guardians" acted independent of direct supervision to accomplish milestones in Coast Guard History. Unconcerned with the issues of politics, ineptitude and blame that seemed to occupy the high-and-dry Monday-morning quarterback, they did what they were born to do...they went out and rescued those in need of saving. Collectively these crews rescued more than 500 lives.If yours is one of those lives, then say a prayer for the honorable and selfless individuals that came to your rescue, because you have a life long connection with them. If you haven't needed the great people of the Coast Guard, then you can sleep better knowing that they are out there guarding you 24/7, and that they will come when you call.
Cover layout and design by Martin H. Vives - Team Dude Productions

The Mighty Dauphin and her crew (Chapter 2 preview)

Acquired by the Coast Guard in the early 1980's the Dauphin helicopter immediately started filling its role as a short-range-recovery (SRR) helicopter. Its sleek design, speed capability, use of composites and advanced avionics vastly changed the Search and Rescue business; but there is no new acquisition of a sophisticated system that ever happens without some sort of problems and the new French designed helicopter was no exception to that reality.............