AST
special operations
United States Coast GuardAviation Survival Technician (Rescue Swimmer)
Perform helicopter search and rescue in the most extreme environments.
Difficulty · extremeFitness · elite AI compatibility 90
Job Overview
ASTs are the Coast Guard's rescue swimmers.
Aviation Survival Technicians deploy from Coast Guard helicopters to rescue people in high seas, floods, and disasters. They also maintain survival equipment.
History & Deep Dive
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Daily Responsibilities
- Airborne SAR
- Rescue swimming
- Maintain survival gear
- Physical training
- Aircraft duties
Work schedule
Duty rotations; call-outs 24/7
Environment
Coast Guard air stations nationwide
Supports
Anyone in distress at sea or in disasters
Training Pipeline
- 1Basic Training8 weeks
- 2AST A SchoolElizabeth City, NC · ~24 weeks
- 3Rescue Swimmer SchoolPensacola, FL · ~5 weeks
ASVAB & Qualification Requirements
ASVAB line-score minimums
Officer / no line-score minimums listedSecurity clearance
SecretPhysical requirements
Elite fitness. Must pass rigorous swim standards.Required skills
Elite swimmingComposureEmergency medicineJudgment
AI Concept Gallery
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Portrait · AI illustration
Training · AI illustration
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Equipment · AI illustration
Operational · AI illustration
Video Library
Official recruiting video for Aviation Survival Technician (Rescue Swimmer) coming soon.
Career Progression
E-1→
E-4→
E-5→
E-6→
E-7
AST supervisor, flight chief.
Assignments & Special Schools
Duty stations
- Elizabeth City, NC
- Astoria, OR
- Kodiak, AK
- Sitka, AK
- Cape Cod, MA
Special schools
EMT-BAdvanced Rescue
Deployment: Rare overseas deployments; frequent domestic response.
Advantages
- Life-saving work
- Iconic mission
- Elite team
Disadvantages
- Extremely demanding pipeline
- High injury risk
- Dangerous conditions
Civilian Career Equivalents
Firefighter/Rescue
Flight Paramedic
Career Match Scores
Physical Demand100
Mental Demand90
Leadership80
Technical Level80
Travel55
Deployment Potential40
Civilian Transferability80
AI Career Advisor
Context: AST Aviation Survival Technician (Rescue Swimmer)
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