title: Successful Resuscitation: Novel Partnership between Paramedics and U.S. Coast Guard.
abstract: In this article, we present a notable case that illustrates a novel partnership between a United States Coast Guard small boat station and a civilian paramedic response unit. Patients who experience medical emergencies in remote environments are at particularly high risk for morbidity and mortality. For the most serious conditions, delayed contact with Advanced Life Support (ALS) has grave results. Typically, these circumstances involve small groups of individuals and cannot be easily predicted. The waters off the coasts of Maui, Hawaii, however, host millions of residents and visitors annually, with activities including swimming, snorkeling, diving, parasailing, and other types of ocean recreation. As a result, medical and rescue emergencies are not uncommon, many with poor outcomes. Prior to October of 2013, a Coast Guard response boat crew with limited medical training and equipment responded to most off shore cases. Since October 2013, a paramedic from Maui County EMS co-responds aboard the Coast Guard boat with a full complement of ALS equipment. This partnership has resulted in some significant improvements in patient outcome, and strengthened a collaborative emergency services system. The experience has also indicated the need for continued improvement in early activation and communication, as well as reinforcing the importance of primary prevention.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kingdon
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stahl
mesh_terms: D061906:Advanced Trauma Life Support Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004242:Diving / Q000293:injuries*; D004332:Drowning / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians; D006254:Hawaii; D006801:Humans; D000070516:Intersectoral Collaboration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D018635:Rescue Work / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012151:Resuscitation; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: Coast Guard; drowning; emergency medical services; paramedics; rescue work