Section 515.965  Watercraft Requirements

In addition to the requirements specified in Sections 515.900 and 515.920, an SEMSV Program using watercraft shall submit a program plan that includes the following:

a)         Documentation of the EMS MD's or SEMSV MD's credentials as required by Section 515.920(e), and a statement signed by the EMS MD or SEMSV MD committing to the following duties and responsibilities:

1)         Supervising and managing of the program;

2)         Supervising and evaluating the quality of patient care provided by the watercraft crew;

3)         Developing written treatment protocols and standard operating procedures to be used by the watercraft crew during vehicle operation;

4)         Developing and approving a list of equipment and drugs to be available on the SEMSV during patient transfer;

5)         Providing periodic review, at least quarterly, of patient care provided by the watercraft crew;

6)         Providing medical advice/expertise on the use, need and special requirements of watercraft transfer;

7)         Submitting documentation assuring the qualifications of the watercraft crew;

8)         Assuring appropriate staffing of the SEMSV:

A)        Each watercraft crew member assigned to a watercraft shall be approved by the EMS MD or SEMSV MD, who shall provide the Department with a list of all approved crew members and watercraft operators and update the list whenever a change in such personnel is made.

B)        For ALS operations, the watercraft shall be staffed by a crew of at least one Paramedic, RN or physician, and one other EMT, A-EMT, EMT-I, Paramedic, RN or physician, in addition to the watercraft operator.

C)        For BLS operations, the watercraft shall be staffed by a crew of at least two of the following: EMT, A-EMT, EMT-I, Paramedic, RN  or physician, one of whom may also be the watercraft operator.

D)        Except as provided for by subsection (a)(8)(E) of this Section, each watercraft crew member shall document, appropriate to their scope of practice, completion of education that includes, but is not limited, to the following:

i)          Advanced life support;

ii)         Cardiac support;

iii)        Traumatic emergencies;

iv)        Pediatric emergencies;

v)         Psychiatric emergencies;

vi)        Crisis intervention;

vii)       Infection control;

viii)      Advanced airway management techniques;

ix)        Environmental emergencies;

x)         Radio or other EMS communications;

xi)        Rescue and survival techniques;

xii)       Record keeping;

xiii)      Legal aspects;

xiv)      Certification in Advanced Life Saving by the American Red Cross; and

xv)       Completion of a boat safety course conducted pursuant to Section 5-18 of the Boat Registration and Safety Act [625 ILCS 45].

E)        In addition to at least two watercraft crew members who have met the requirements of subsections (a)(8)(B) through (D), the EMS MD or SEMSV MD may approve and assign additional watercraft crew members to a watercraft.  Such additional watercraft crew members shall document the completion of training that includes but is not limited to the following:

i)          General patient care;

ii)         Watercraft emergencies;

iii)        Completion of a boat safety course conducted pursuant to Section 5-18 of the Boat Registration and Safety Act;

iv)        EMS System and SEMSV Program communications;

v)         Use of all patient care equipment;

vi)        Rescue and survival techniques; and

vii)       Certification in Advanced Life Saving by the American Red Cross.

F)         Watercraft operators shall be at least 21 years of age and shall meet the following requirements:

i)          Certification in Advanced Life Saving by the American Red Cross; and

ii)         Completion of a boat safety course conducted pursuant to Section 5-18 of the Boat Registration and Safety Act;

b)         The EMS MD's or the SEMSV MD's list of required medical equipment and drugs for use on the watercraft (see Section 515.975);

c)         The EMS MD's or the SEMSV MD's standing orders (treatment protocols, standard operating procedures);

d)         A description of the communications system linking the watercraft with the SEMSV medical control point;

e)         A description of the EMS System's method of providing emergency medical services using the SEMSV Program;

f)         A description and map of the service area for each vehicle; and

g)         The identification number and description of all vehicles used in the program.

(Source:  Amended at 42 Ill. Reg. 17632, effective September 20, 2018)