Since qualifying as a Royal Navy `Search and Rescue Diver' and `Aircrewman' at the beginning of the seventies I have operated from Warships, North Sea oil rigs and UK SAR flights for nearly forty years. This includes tours as the Chief Aircrewman on both military flights and civilian flights contracted to HM Coastguards. The incredible camaraderie shared with the many crews I have worked with has helped me through awkward times and it has been a privilege to have worked with them all. I have been honest with my feelings, covering personal problems, the fears faced on difficult jobs, mistakes made in the early days, despair during unsuccessful tasks and the euphoria felt after the many successful rescues.