DANIEL Yorris wanted to challenge himself, since he likes the adrenaline rush and wants to expand on his skillset.

He started out at OHI/Omni Helicopters at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, at Ogle, East Coast Demerara as a driver, and also for the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) before he willed himself to become one of Guyana’s first-ever Search and Rescue helicopter swimmers (SARS).

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he became one of five SARS because of his family’s encouragement and support; ultimately, they are very proud of him and his accomplishments.

Yorris is originally from Sophia, Greater Georgetown, but relocated to La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, and was a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as a Coast Guard rank.

He always wanted to enroll in the Standard Officers Course (SOC) but was denied repeatedly after being told he was already in the army. After four years of service, he decided to part ways.

Yorris is, however, pleased with the experience he gained in the military, but he wanted more, and he quit to better equip himself for the future, since his goal of becoming a Cadet Officer was not within his reach.

The 24-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that with his adventurous spirit, he knew he was meant for greater things, and wanted to work towards it.

So, when the opportunity presented itself to become one of Guyana’s first SARS, he grabbed it with both hands and applied himself physically and mentally to be successful.

“Although it was a team effort, we still had to push ourselves individually to make it through to the qualifying phase and beyond. It was not easy, but it was worth it,” he said.

Yorris, a mild-mannered kind of guy, stated that he wanted to make his family proud, and he is happy he was able to accomplish and if he had to do it all over again, he would because he is not satisfied with limiting himself.

The married father of one reported that straight out of high school, he was up for the challenge of a career in the military, and he made it past the Basic Recruitment Course and was sectioned at the Coast Guard. He spent four years at the job, where he garnered a lot of knowledge.

Yorris added that after he left the army, he worked as a driver at the GCCA for one-and-a-half years, then went on to work at OHI/Omni Helicopters hangar at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, as a driver also, for eight months.

He pointed out that he wanted more and he applied for the training course as a SAR and he had already prepared himself to undergo extensive physical training from the pool to the icy cold waters of Nova Scotia in Canada and the humid murky waters of our rivers here in Guyana.

“Even for me, the training was unlike any other and it was tough considering the extreme weather conditions we had to endure using the basket method of helicopter search and rescue swimming, but it was a good experience to be able to see it through despite the physical and mental challenge,” he said.

Today, Yorris, a likeable fellow who can get along with almost anyone due to his friendly disposition and humble attitude, is on call for ExxonMobil to perform search-and-rescue swimming operations, via helicopter, during daylight hours.

He is among four others to become certified as Guyana’s first-ever helicopter search-and-rescue swimmers.

The rigorous training programme lasted six-and-a-half months in both Guyana and Canada, and a team of five expert trainers guided the Guyanese in becoming successful.

The new helicopter search and rescue swimmers are Ishwar Parhbu, Daniel Yorris, Kevin Sawh, Curt Mendonca, and the lone female, Johnelle Ogle.

“Always believe in yourself, set goals, work towards achieving them and stay focused while being grounded in the high standards you set for yourself as a person in everything you do, be it in your personal life or career,” he said.