ARC training

[PhilipH]

The rules for the ARC state the following, but what does it mean in reality?
APPENDIX 2
CREW TRAINING
The skipper and at least one crew member should
have undertaken training within the five years before
the start of the Rally in both theoretical and practical
sessions in the following sessions. The ORC
recommends that all crew members do likewise.
• care and maintenance of safety equipment
• liferafts
• storm sails
• fire precautions and fire fighting
• damage control and repair
• heavy weather – crew routines, boat handling,
drogues
• man overboard prevention and recovery
• giving assistance to other craft
• hypothermia
• first aid
• search and rescue systems
• using communications equipment (VHF, GMDSS,
satcoms etc.)
• weather forecasting

 

[iangrant]

Just about all it says
The ARC safety staff will check your boat to ensure you have all the equipment and ask the questions how you intend to use it.
The rest - well you'd need most of that to cross an Ocean anyway.
LRC course, Survival and First Aid (RYA Courses cover)

Courses are run in Las Palmas by the ARC but it makes it a busy week if you have to do all of them there!

Ian

 

[PIGLETSDREAM]

It means that you could be a long way from anywhere and any one, so should the what if happens, could you deal with it?. MOB, we have all picked up a fender when there is no wind, but a real body with all there gear on and an inflated life jacket. Ever used a fire exstinguisher in anger, bloody scary, my houseboat went up in flames with me in it. Have you tried to fit your storm sails, if you can't wait for bad weather, do it at night. Can you take the toilet apart without sinking the boat. Can you make a briddle to attach warps over the back, para anchors etc. At the very least do a sea survival course and a first aid course, you owe that to yourself and any one else who is sailing under your command

 

[michael_w]

All the items are covered by the ISAF Offshore Safety Course; run under the auspices of the RYA. It is just like the old sea survival course + very basic first aid, with a bit more discussion thrown in.

Be wary of whom you do the course with. The one I did, based at Universal Boatyard, consisted mainly of a sales plug for parachute sea anchors.

 

[Jonny_H]

I've just done a 1 day RYA first aid course - very good for brushing up on the basics, but lacked a lot of stuff that would be useful for mid ocean dramas.

For instance, most situations started with - call 999. When we were doing CPR I asked how long it would be worth continuing for before the brain etc would be irreperably damaged, their response was "until the ambulance arrives" - hmmmm, 20 odd days??!!

I think a good selection of courses would be a good idea to ensure you are confident that you could handle most situations. An offshore safety course will be on my list.

Jonny