Coast Guard Rating AST

Aviation Survival Technician (Rescue Swimmer)

Coast Guard AST (Aviation Survival Technician (Rescue Swimmer)) typically involves combat-oriented field operations, aviation mission support and aircraft-related duties, electronics and systems troubleshooting, medical or patient-care support.

Common Exposures

🪖 Combat/Stress
Direct action combat, high-risk missions
🔊 Noise
Weapons fire, explosions, aircraft noise
💪 Physical Strain
Extreme physical demands, heavy equipment
🌦️ Environmental
Extreme environments, altitude, water, cold/heat
🔊 Noise
Flight line noise from jet engines and aircraft
🧪 Chemicals
Aviation fuels, solvents, hydraulic fluids, lubricants
💪 Physical Strain
Lifting heavy components, working in confined aircraft spaces
🧪 Chemicals
Solvents, flux, cleaning agents for electronics
🔊 Noise
Equipment noise in work areas
💪 Physical Strain
Repetitive hand motions, awkward positions
🧪 Chemicals
Exposure to blood-borne pathogens, medications, cleaning agents
💪 Physical Strain
Lifting patients, long standing hours
🪖 Combat/Stress
Treating casualties, witnessing trauma

Likely Service-Connected Conditions

Diagnostic Code Condition Likelihood Reasoning
5237 Lumbosacral or cervical strain High Extreme physical demands
5242 Degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome (also, see either DC 5003 or 5010) High Repeated heavy load carrying
5257 Knee, other impairment High Running, rucking, jumping impacts on knees
6260 Tinnitus, recurrent High Weapons fire and explosive noise
6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes High Irregular sleep and extreme stress
8045 Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) High Blast exposure and physical trauma
9411 Posttraumatic stress disorder High Repeated high-risk combat missions
8100 Migraine Medium Blast and concussive exposure
9434 Major depressive disorder Medium Cumulative combat stress

☢️ PACT Act & Toxic Exposure

Select the era that best matches when you served to see how this job’s toxic exposures changed over time.

PACT Act guide Use exposure finder
Vietnam Era 📅 1962-1975
No era-specific PACT Act crosswalk data is available for this job in that time period.
Cold War Era 📅 1945-1991
No era-specific PACT Act crosswalk data is available for this job in that time period.
Gulf War Era 📅 1990-2001
No era-specific PACT Act crosswalk data is available for this job in that time period.
Post-9/11 Era 📅 2001-present
No era-specific PACT Act crosswalk data is available for this job in that time period.