RYA First Aid Course

Sailsalot

Sailsalot

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I am about to go on this course as thought it would be a good idea, just wondered if others have found the course useful?
Has anyone had to use their first aid training when on board? Hoping I never have to use the knowledge gained for anything major, but as I've not had any training of this sort, will be good to know the basics.
 
I can't say as I found the one day course all that helpful and forgot what I'd learned pretty quickly but for sure it's better than nothing. The longer medical first aid on board ship course was far more useful, but of course costs more and unless you find somewhere which does it over a couple of weekends, requires more time off work. I made the mistake of doing that course somewhere that largely caters for commercial punters meaning (a) it was ship rather than yacht focused and (b) most students weren't paying for it themselves so didn't care about the instructor's long lunch breaks and short days. In retrospect I should have done it with a sailing school.

First aid isn't only applicable on board: it's just a generally useful skill to have. The St. John's ambulance book is good. I browse through mine every few months (when I feel like I'm forgetting everything). Note that the "accepted wisdom" changes every so often, so getting a new copy rather than an old second hand version might be wise.
 
I have done 4 First Aid Courses, with BAe then my sailing club - not RYA but as they were all run by medical pro's I'd guess they are much the same.

Thankfully I've never had to use the lessons learned on a boat, but having the knowledge - especially CPR and The Recovery Position - has been really heartening to have in the back of my own mind the idea that at least I know it.

I have twice since had really serious cause to use the Recovery Position and check pulse, clear breathing airways etc at nasty accidents - ABC,

Airways

Breathing

Circulation


Note that advice re CPR seems to change annually so one needs to keep updated.

On one course at my club the nurse asked for a volunteer ' victim ' to practice CPR on; the prettiest girl in the club volunteered and of course I was trampled over in the rush !

On subsequent years they used a dummy which rather took the fun out of it.

One thing which still amazes me, on every course we were told about using sterile breathing tubes for CPR,said to be easily available; but several times when I asked at Boots they looked at me as if I'd asked for an Acme Time Machine...:rolleyes:
 
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I have done various first aid courses over the years up to a week long. I do the RYA one every 3 years to keep my certification up to date. It gives you the basics, updates you on current thinking which as others have said sometimes changes and you get a copy of the latest first aid manual. It should also give you some specific boating related knowledge such as secondary drowning, hypothermia, helicopter evacuation and choosing a first aid kit for your boat - stuff that isn't generally covered in ordinary or workplace first aid courses. So all in all, if you are going to spend time on a boat I would say it is worthwhile doing.
 
I've done a very high-powered one at my former work; that was to prepare you for a situation where you might be days away from a doctor, and where the doctor might need to give instructions over the radio to carry out procedures that certainly wouldn't be permitted in a First Aid situation in the UK. We were also supposed to be able to provide semi-skilled assistance to the doctor if necessary. I'm out of certification, but the knowledge and the book that came with the course are still there.

Trouble is that I don't feel motivated to do an RYA one-day course, because I know it would be a let-down after the one I have done!
 
Did one this year with Hamble Yacht School. It was sketchy to say the least, and just turning up seemed to be enough to get you the certificate. Tutor was an instructor, not a medic.

Did it previously with the Cruising Association, who used a retired A&E doc to teach it. Much more interesting and spiced with great anecdotes.

Unfortunately one is supposed to do the course every three years (I think) to stay current.

Only bits I've used in anger are sunstroke and rehydration during sea sickness.
 
Ah, I hope the tutor on the course is medically qualified, might check on that.
A few weeks ago I came close to getting a full pan of boiling chilli all over me when the saucepan handle fell off whilst carrying it to the table; we were some miles away, I blame the French saucepan that came with the boat!
It made me wonder what on earth we would have done if I hadn’t managed to dodge most of the boiling contents, apart from throwing cold water all over me and getting on the radio for help. I saw the course advertised at our club and seemed sensible to go on it, after all there are lots of other ways of getting injured onboard –nasty cuts, getting knocked unconscious, breaking bones, falling overboard, or coping with someone getting seriously and suddenly ill ……hopefully not me…. hmmm probably should send my other half on the course too.
 
The CPR guidelines don't change that often, about every five years or so and the 2015 set have just come out in October. Most of it is fine tuning and, if you can't achieve the "gold standard", just continue with chest compressions after stopping any "catastrophic haemorrhage".

A lot of what you need to know depends on where you are going to be. The basics will usually be fine if you are within minutes of medical assistance. If your doing a Transat, you will need to be better equipped and trained.

23 years and counting as a Paramedic and a former first aid instructor.
 
Our club courses were run by senior instructor nurses ( or whatever the title is ) and RNLI blokes along with SAR winchmen; I don't think it gets much better than that !

Before going off to work on a boat professionally I paid for a more involved course - I'd guessed we might be in the middle of nowhere with OAP guests, but I had no idea how right I was - if anything nasty had happened I'd have been pretty stretched; that outfit seemed very good but they packed up years ago.
 
Seajet said:
I have done 4 First Aid Courses, with BAe then my sailing club - not RYA but as they were all run by medical pro's I'd guess they are much the same.

Thankfully I've never had to use the lessons learned on a boat, but having the knowledge - especially CPR and The Recovery Position - has been really heartening to have in the back of my own mind the idea that at least I know it.

I have twice since had really serious cause to use the Recovery Position and check pulse, clear breathing airways etc at nasty accidents - ABC,

Airways

Breathing

Circulation


Note that advice re CPR seems to change annually so one needs to keep updated.

On one course at my club the nurse asked for a volunteer ' victim ' to practice CPR on; the prettiest girl in the club volunteered and of course I was trampled over in the rush !

On subsequent years they used a dummy which rather took the fun out of it.

One thing which still amazes me, on every course we were told about using sterile breathing tubes for CPR,said to be easily available; but several times when I asked at Boots they looked at me as if I'd asked for an Acme Time Machine...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Boots stopped being a chemist's a long time ago. Sterile breathing tubes may be taken to mean the sort of thing shoved right down someone's throat to keep the airway clear I think, which is definitely day 2 stuff :p. I'm guessing you're after rescusitation shields - these http://www.stjohnsupplies.co.uk/products/First-aid-consumables/Masks-and-Face-Shields/ or these http://www.medisave.co.uk/resuscitation-shield-disposable-with-mouthpiece-individual-p-872.html
 
Seajet said:
One thing which still amazes me, on every course we were told about using sterile breathing tubes for CPR,said to be easily available; but several times when I asked at Boots they looked at me as if I'd asked for an Acme Time Machine...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

They may have been referring to the Brook Life Saving Airway which are definitely museum pieces now and I haven't seen one in at least 25 years. Various mouthshields and the Laerdal type pocket mask are available.

http://www.emsmuseum.org/virtual-mu...ment/articles/398988-Brook-Life-Saving-Airway

http://medtree.co.uk/airway-and-oxygen/cpr-aids/cpr-pocket-masks
 
Sailsalot said:
I am about to go on this course as thought it would be a good idea, just wondered if others have found the course useful?
Has anyone had to use their first aid training when on board? Hoping I never have to use the knowledge gained for anything major, but as I've not had any training of this sort, will be good to know the basics.
Click to expand...

I absolutely hate First Aid. I always have Blood snot and other fluids make me ill, queasy and I have fainted. I am unsympathetic and my bedside manner sucks.:)
Seriously I will run the other way. I stand back and do crowd control, First to volunteer to run for help anything to avoid taking part. Radio Com's good way of getting out of it.

I have to do the course every few years. I hate the courses, especially as now a day on my knees faffing about with splints and triangle bandages. Hurts.

I tried getting out of it by pointing out my work is more than 20 minutes from an ER. Didn't work they sent me to the full package and transport course, It was kind of embarrassing. I was on a course with guys who parachute in to do first aid.

Truth since the first one I did almost 50 years ago in Cubs. I have never done a bad one. Even as a kid and through out life.
The knowledge has come in extremely handy.

Shortly after. I was with a couple of friends vandalising a school. My friend severed an artery. Blood spurting. Other friend (not a cub) ran for help. I applied direct pressure. Police fire ambulance all showed up I was caught red handed. Oddly none of us were charged or punished in any way.
Every so often. I find myself in a situation where I cant run away. I am the only person around who knows what to do and the poor unfortunate bugger has to rely on me to help. I have been very glad I had the knowledge.

I have used it on the boat.
I have used it more just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Just out in public. in a restaurant.
I used it with my kids. (right place)
I have used it for other kids( right place)
I have used it for co workers. Industrial injury's. not nice was sick and fainted after.

I would hate to think I was ever in a position where didn't do something simple to save a life because I did not know how.

It was one of those things I thought my kids should learn sort of like swimming.

Take any first aid course. Its very well worth doing. RYA or not.

PS last couple of course provided a little pack with the one way mask and rubber gloves. I keep one in my car next ones goes on my boat. Hope I never use. I will happily give it to some one else to use.
 
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Seajet said:
I have done 4 First Aid Courses, with BAe then my sailing club - not RYA but as they were all run by medical pro's I'd guess they are much the same.

Thankfully I've never had to use the lessons learned on a boat, but having the knowledge - especially CPR and The Recovery Position - has been really heartening to have in the back of my own mind the idea that at least I know it.

I have twice since had really serious cause to use the Recovery Position and check pulse, clear breathing airways etc at nasty accidents - ABC,

Airways

Breathing

Circulation


Note that advice re CPR seems to change annually so one needs to keep updated.

On one course at my club the nurse asked for a volunteer ' victim ' to practice CPR on; the prettiest girl in the club volunteered and of course I was trampled over in the rush !

On subsequent years they used a dummy which rather took the fun out of it.

One thing which still amazes me, on every course we were told about using sterile breathing tubes for CPR,said to be easily available; but several times when I asked at Boots they looked at me as if I'd asked for an Acme Time Machine...:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

UK rules might be different. Intubation is beyond most first aid. (unless you are a dumbass who tried to get out of doing first aid by say you weren't qualified):) The ones we are recommended to use are a hard plastic face mask with a one way valve the mask goes on the casualty face you blow into the tube. Try a work safety or industrial safety supply store. I order on line through Auckland's Granger.(Not much use in UK) but their will be similar on line suppliers in UK.
 
Uricanejack said:
UK rules might be different. Intubation is beyond most first aid. (unless you are a dumbass who tried to get out of doing first aid by say you weren't qualified):) The ones we are recommended to use are a hard plastic face mask with a one way valve the mask goes on the casualty face you blow into the tube. Try a work safety or industrial safety supply store. I order on line through Auckland's Granger.(Not much use in UK) but their will be similar on line suppliers in UK.
Click to expand...

SP Supplies do them for £8.
 
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