20 | The Mental and Physical Demands of Public Safety Diving with Kevin Angelilli

Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode of How Would You Rate Your Pain?, Dr. Tiffany Bartell interviews Kevin Angelilli, a public safety diver, instructor, and former law enforcement officer. Kevin takes us on an emotional and insightful journey through his life, exploring the intricacies of public safety diving, the mental and physical challenges of recovery work, and his lifelong passion for diving. His stories range from underwater recoveries to surprising underwater weddings and even a shark-feeding engagement, revealing a life filled with service, resilience, and love for the water.

Time Codes:

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
• 00:50 Kevin's Current Work and Scuba Diving
• 01:25 Public Safety Diving Explained
• 02:27 Challenges and Stories from Public Safety Diving
• 09:58 Kevin's Journey into Diving and Law Enforcement
• 14:02 Diving Adventures and Personal Life
• 23:24 Training and Equipment for Public Safety Diving
• 27:43 Technical Aspects of Public Safety Diving
• 30:31 The Blood Rule and Scary Stories
• 31:38 Building Trust in Diving Teams
• 32:19 Training and Certification
• 33:50 Challenges in Public Safety Diving
• 34:49 Pioneering Public Safety Diving
• 36:00 The Importance of Trust and Credentials
• 36:43 The Role of Public Safety Divers
• 47:45 Emotional Challenges and Family Impact
• 57:56 Resilience and Mental Health
• 01:02:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources Mentioned:

1. Kevin's Book: Public Safety Diving All the Way to the Bottom - Available on Amazon and other book platforms
2. TriStar Scuba: Kevin's dive shop, offering scuba instruction and public safety diving courses – Visit TriStar Scuba
3. Research on Mental Health and Diving: Follow Woody Tinsley’s work on mental health benefits of diving

Closing Summary:

This conversation with Kevin Angelilli highlights the extraordinary world of public safety diving, a niche but essential service that involves not only technical skill but also deep empathy and resilience. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Kevin shares how he balances the emotional weight of recoveries with the joy of diving and teaching others. His story is a testament to the power of service, connection, and the importance of taking breaks—whether by feeding sharks or diving into a peaceful reef.

Be sure to subscribe to How Would You Rate Your Pain? and follow us for more conversations that explore life, pain, and healing. Until next time, be gentle with yourself.