In this haunting spoken ballad, David Burnell recounts the 1996 Sheridan Lake ice rescue—one of his career’s most harrowing dive calls. Through vivid storytelling and minimal ambient music, “Beneath the Ice” draws the listener beneath the frozen surface where adrenaline, protocol, and faith collide.
When a dune buggy plunges through ice with two teenage boys inside, rescue divers face a grim race against time. One boy is saved by chance. The other vanishes into the cold depths. With two divers already down—one injured, one overwhelmed—Burnell steps up for a final attempt under conditions that defy logic and survival.
This spoken narrative explores the razor-thin line between courage and consequence, and the moment when even the most trained must make a life-preserving choice to abort. It’s a tribute to every diver, medic, and rescuer who shoulders the risk that others may live.
Find this and other episodes from the Echo Valor Podcast by searching “Echo Valor Podcast” on your favorite podcast platform. You can also discover original music by searching “Echo Valor Music” on your favorite streaming platform, and explore books and written works by searching “David Burnell” on Amazon to visit his author page.
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