BLIND DESCENT
Surviving Alone and Blind on Mount Everest

Former Navy rescue swimmer Brian Dickinson was roughly 1,000 feet from the summit of Mount Everest—also known as “the death zone”—when his Sherpa became ill and had to turn back, leaving Brian with a difficult decision: should he continue to push for the summit, or head back down the mountain? After carefully weighing the options, Brian decided to continue toward the summit—alone. Four hours later, Brian solo summited the highest peak in the world. But the celebration was short-lived. After taking a few pictures, Brian radioed his team to let them know he had summited safely, and got ready to begin his descent. Suddenly, his vision became blurry, his eyes started to burn, and within seconds, he was rendered almost completely blind. All alone at 29,035 feet, low on oxygen, and stricken with snow blindness, Brian was forced to inch his way back down the mountain relying only on his Navy survival training, his gut instinct, and his faith. In Blind Descent, Brian recounts—in fantastic detail—his extraordinary experience on Everest, demonstrating that no matter how dire our circumstances, there is no challenge too big for God.

CALM IN THE CHAOS
True Tales from Elite U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers

From an elite Navy rescue swimmer comes this insider perspective on what it takes to survive some of the most dangerous situations imaginable — and how the lessons learned can help overcome other momentous challenges.

Brian Dickinson, famously known for having climbed down Mt. Everest while completely snow blind, is often asked how he managed the incredible feat. He has always attributed it to his faith and to his U.S. Navy Search and Rescue Training, which taught him how to remain calm in moments of chaos. For the first time, Brian takes an in-depth look at the training that saved his life and the missions—both his and others’—where these skills were put to the test to save other people.

Over two decades after being honorably discharged from the Navy, Brian is compelled to share his unique military training and experiences. He believes that sharing the training that he received to overcome adversity in the most extreme scenarios can help others to overcome their own personal Everest. Even beyond mountaineering, the military training has rewired Brian’s ability to navigate difficult business, financial, health, and relationship challenges. With the chaos of the world continuing to expand, these stories from U.S. Navy rescue swimmers provide a fresh perspective on what it takes to survive some of the most dangerous situations, and how that shapes the rest of a person’s life.