Coast Guard flight paramedic provides higher level of care in Alaska

Kavsuvb

Forum Captain
291
48
28
Here's an example of the USCG's work in Alaska and being able to work as a Flight Medic for Air Station Kodiak, Alaska
 

EpiEMS

Forum Deputy Chief
3,815
1,143
113
Interesting stuff - didn't realize USCG staffed some paramedics in aircraft. Seems like this is just an AK practice, though? I was under the impression that the Rescue Swimmers were EMTs, full stop?
 

Carlos Danger

Forum Deputy Chief
Premium Member
4,510
3,234
113
One of the stations in AK (I forget which one) staffs with a physician.

Or did, when I used to live there.
 

CALEMT

The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
4,524
3,348
113
Rescue Swimmers were EMTs

I believe this video isn't about rescue swimmers, but sounds more like a SAR operation thats a pilot program(?) in Alaska. Or maybe she's not a rescue swimmer but flies along with them on ops to provide a higher level of care?
 

VentMonkey

Family Guy
5,729
5,043
113
She's not. She's a paramedic who does clinic, and goes out on SAR's. No rappelling for the paramedics, strictly medical care. It looks like a cush gig though. There used to be a show on TWC of all channels that touched on this. They staffed with paramedics when needed, or available. I'm sure the OP can elaborate, though.

That said, I would have rather been a rescue swimmer in the Bering Sea. That there seems like a whole lotta fun.
 

CALEMT

The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
4,524
3,348
113
She's not. She's a paramedic who does clinic, and goes out on SAR's. No rappelling for the paramedics, strictly medical care. It looks like a cush gig though. There used to be a show on TWC of all channels that touched on this. They staffed with paramedics when needed, or available. I'm sure the OP can elaborate, though.

Probably shouldn't have typed my reply when the video was playing. This above was my impression.

That said, I would have rather been a rescue swimmer in the Bering Sea. That there seems like a whole lotta fun.

Jumping into 20+ swells in the freezing *** open ocean... sounds like a good time.
 

EpiEMS

Forum Deputy Chief
3,815
1,143
113
I believe this video isn't about rescue swimmers, but sounds more like a SAR operation thats a pilot program(?) in Alaska. Or maybe she's not a rescue swimmer but flies along with them on ops to provide a higher level of care?

Yes, agreed - I think the latter is the case, that's my supposition anyway.
 

StCEMT

Forum Deputy Chief
3,052
1,709
113
Looks like one of the best damn jobs you could ask for, but you stick me on any mountain and I am happy.
 

VFlutter

Flight Nurse
3,728
1,264
113
Looks like one of the best damn jobs you could ask for, but you stick me on any mountain and I am happy.

I would love a job at Travis County Starflight. We joke about throwing a winch on the helicopter since we are one of the last bases in the region to still have a BK117, perfect for SAR but it will never happen.
 

VentMonkey

Family Guy
5,729
5,043
113
we are one of the last bases in the region to still have a BK117, perfect for SAR but it will never happen.
IMG_0392.JPG
 

StCEMT

Forum Deputy Chief
3,052
1,709
113
I would love a job at Travis County Starflight. We joke about throwing a winch on the helicopter since we are one of the last bases in the region to still have a BK117, perfect for SAR but it will never happen.
Why not? Someone has to be able to drag those Southern Illinois rednecks out of the tricky spots. :p
 

CALEMT

The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
4,524
3,348
113
Looks like one of the best damn jobs you could ask for, but you stick me on any mountain and I am happy.

I would do some sort of remote area SAR in a freaking heartbeat.
 

CALEMT

The Other Guy/ Paramaybe?
4,524
3,348
113

Bullets

Forum Knucklehead
1,600
222
63
Arent there only like 500 paramedics on the AK registry in its history? I recall AK having a weird set up with their certification levels. Its not surprising that CG would put medics up there, they are probably the highest level of care for hundreds of miles
 

akflightmedic

Forum Deputy Chief
3,891
2,564
113
Arent there only like 500 paramedics on the AK registry in its history? I recall AK having a weird set up with their certification levels. Its not surprising that CG would put medics up there, they are probably the highest level of care for hundreds of miles

Well....My AK # is 504 and that was issued in 2004....so I think your claim is a bit outdated. But yes, we were it for 1000s of miles.

Yes there are way too many levels of care in AK.
ETT, EMT I, EMT II and EMT III were also certified by the state EMS. MICP (Paramedic) is licensed by State Medical Board. So in a nutshell, they have 5 levels of EMS Provider....and many places get away with the "pseudo-medic" the EMT III as they are cheaper and can do ACLS.
 
OP
OP
Kavsuvb

Kavsuvb

Forum Captain
291
48
28
She's not. She's a paramedic who does clinic, and goes out on SAR's. No rappelling for the paramedics, strictly medical care. It looks like a cush gig though. There used to be a show on TWC of all channels that touched on this. They staffed with paramedics when needed, or available. I'm sure the OP can elaborate, though.

That said, I would have rather been a rescue swimmer in the Bering Sea. That there seems like a whole lotta fun.

In Alaska, the US Coast Guard, along with the Alaska Air National Guard's 176th wing provide Search and rescue and Emergency Medical care in Alaska. In the US Coast Guard, Emergency medical care is done by the Aircrews on the MH-60T Jayhawk Helicopter. They are staffed with two pilots, a Flight Mech and an AST, which stands for Aviation Survival tech, who is trained as a rescue Swimmer and a NREMT. The Coast Guard has PHS medical officers and their own Health specialist, which is your Corpsman, who will sometimes fly on Emergency medical missions, that would ground a civilian flight team. On Medical Missions in the USCG, they sometimes fly with 2 pilot, Flight Mech, AST and HS team, although sometimes a PHS doctor will fly along depending on the medical care needed on the flight.

Here's an example of what a USCG HS dose

Here's what it's like to be a USCG rescue Swimmer
 

VentMonkey

Family Guy
5,729
5,043
113
@Kavsuvb trust me, I looked into it...about 10 years, and one back surgery ago. I'm pretty set with what I have. Thanks for sharing.

Again, if any younger (and physically fit) providers that are on the forum thinks it's something worth their time, I too would highly recommend doing some digging, and/ or networking. Apparently we have a reliable source on here.
 
Top