ACN 003/18 - JAN 2018 AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) USE IN THE COAST GUARD

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE          CANCEL DATE 2 JAN 2019

R 031217 JAN 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N06700//
ACN 003/18
SUBJ:  AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) USE IN THE COAST GUARD
A. Health Services Allowance List, AFLOAT, COMDTINST M6700.6 (series)
B. Coast Guard Air Operations Manual, COMDTINST M3710.1 (series)
C. Operational Logistics Support Plan (OLSP) For Port Security Units (PSU),
COMDTINST M4081.8 (series)
D. Rescue and Survival Systems Manual, COMDTINST M10470.10 (series)
E. Fire Safety, Prevention, and Emergency Response Services Manual,
COMDTINST M11320.1 (series)
F. Diving Program Manual, COMDTINST M3150.1 (series)
G. Guidelines for Public Access Defibrillation Programs in Federal Facilities,
74 Fed. Reg. 41133 (14 Aug 09) (Notice)
H. Emergency Medical Services Manual, COMDTINST M16135.4 (series)
1. As outlined in REFs (A) through (F), specific Coast Guard (CG) entities such
as fire houses, PSUs, cutters with assigned Independent Duty Health Service
Technicians, Air Stations, and diving units are authorized to carry and use AEDs.
All authorized CG entities using AEDs as discussed above must coordinate with
either their cognizant CG clinic or with the CG Health, Safety and Work-Life
Service Center (HSWL SC) to obtain appropriate required medical oversight
for their AED programs.
   a. Non-aviation CG units using AEDs as outlined in REFs (A) through (F)
are authorized to use any AED approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
   b. CG Air Stations are only authorized to use AEDs which have been tested and
approved by the Aviation Logistics Center as Medical Portable Electronic Devices.
2. All units not included within paragraph one that want to use AEDs must do so
as part of a Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program governed by federal
guidance outlined in REF (G), must use AEDs approved by the FDA, and must
coordinate with either their cognizant CG clinic or with the CG HSWL SC to
obtain appropriate required medical oversight for their PAD program.
3. HSWL SC will release a Technical Directive (TD) for program guidance to include
sample unit-based AED policy and Standard Operating Procedures. Compliance with
this paragraph will be included during the appropriate audit, inspection, or
assessments for the unit being evaluated.
4. Units that are not covered by REFs (A) through (F) or do not have an
established PAD program governed by federal guidance outlined in REF (G)
must either establish one as indicated in paragraph two or cease the use and
carriage of AEDs.
5. Additional policy guidance will be forthcoming after the Operational
Human Performance Advisory Council and the Emergency Medical Services
Working Group provide their recommendations on AED use in the CG. REF (H)
will be updated accordingly and will be released within the next year of
this ACN.
6. Information previously provided in the following ALCOASTS/ACNs has expired.
   a. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 201622 SEP 99/ALCOAST 096/99
   b. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 191903 DEC 00/ALCOAST 484/00
   c. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 211824 NOV 06/ALCOAST 554/06
   d. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 021608 JUN 17/ACN 060/17
7. POCs: CAPT Gerald N. Taylor, Chief (Acting), Office of Health Services,
202-475-5211, Gerald.N.Taylor@uscg.mil and HSCM Michael Aviles, Health Services
Rating Force Master Chief, 202-475-5174, Michael.A.Aviles@uscg.mil.
8. Released by RADM Erica G. Schwartz, Director of Health, Safety and Work-Life.
9. Internet release authorized.