Coast Guard Surface-Based Medical Services

Coast Guard Cutters 180 feet in length and greater have one Health Services Technician assigned (IDT).  The HS’s duties include:

• Providing first line health care for the purpose of returning ambulatory active duty members to a Fit For Full Duty status

• Health services administration and record keeping

• Health services related training

• Environmental health activities

• Provision of health benefits information

• Liaison with supporting health services facilities to access and arrange care for active duty members. 

In addition to the IDT, there can be EMT’s on board with the number determined by the command. The 3 Polar class icebreakers have a medical officer (PA or NP) as well as a senior HS.

Cutters under 180 feet usually have one or more EMT’s on board.

Coast Guard Cutters have varying capabilities with respect to medical evacuation. Medium Endurance cutters (210 feet and 270 feet in length), High Endurance cutters (378 feet in length) and Polar Class icebreakers (399 feet in length), have capability to land HH 60J and HH 65A helicopters. Most helicopter support is provided by the HH-65A.

Port Security Units (PSU’s) are entirely a reserve component. Each unit has one reserve physician assistant medical officer and 2 reserve HS’s. The Coast Guard currently has 6 PSU’s, 4 in the Atlantic area and 2 in the Pacific area.

25' Transportable Port Security Boat (TPSB

378' High Endurance Cutter (WHEC)

270' Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC)

110' Patrol Boat (WPB)

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300

Operational Medicine
 Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
  January 1, 2001