bedouin
Well-known member
I'm intending to do a sea survival training course this season and I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations. Have you done the course - if so what did it cover and was is worthwhile?
Sea Survival Training
- Thread starter bedouin
- Start date
rogerroger
New member
I did it about 12 years ago - a thoroughly good laugh and a course that could well save your life. Did lots of stuff like getting into a liferaft and how to turn it the right way etc. (all while being sprayed with a freezing cold hose - so keep that quiet if you're thinking about bringing the wife along !)
I keep meaning to do it again as a refresher.
Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk
I keep meaning to do it again as a refresher.
Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk
brianhumber
New member
Did one for the MN many moons ago in November. Taught me how difficult liferafts were and never to get off a ship/yacht until she leaves you. Quote 'always step UP into a liferaft' Fastnet 79 is classic example of this in real life.
cgull
New member
I did it about 2yrs ago in an indoor pool. Good fun,well worth doing. even if the instructor does squirt a hose at you!
G
Guest
Guest
My wife and I recently did the course, cold hose included, and recommend it. We then watched our own life raft being serviced and have made additions to what was packed in it. eg two balers instead of one! Also saftey equipment reviewed on board our yacht as we have proved to ourselves that we dont want to get into a liferaft except in a heated swimming pool.
jonic
Well-known member
Nicola and I did it last year,including cold hose and sound effects,easily the most thought provoking course.We will be buying a very good liferaft.Good fun as well.
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/yacht/serafina/
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/yacht/serafina/
G
Guest
Guest
I did one over here in the Netherlands two years ago. Unlike most other replies I've read here, it was done on the North Sea - not in a heated swimmingpool! Even though the wind was a moderate force 4, it proved to everybody that it is VERY difficult to keep together once you've jumped over the side, and even more difficult to swim to a liferaft (wearing only a diver's wetsuit)!!! Also included was firing of distress signals and "how to jump safely in to the water from 20m height" which I can imagine was b****y terrifying for some....
Definitely worthwile doing!
Definitely worthwile doing!
rogerroger
New member
bedouin
Well-known member
Thanks for the endorsements! Could someone please recommend WHERE to do it?
Ta!
Ta!
G
Guest
Guest
I did it at the Southampton Water Activities Centre a couple of years ago, it was very useful information and a well organised course.
see:
www.swac.co.uk
see:
www.swac.co.uk
jonic
Well-known member
richardknight
New member
Haven't done it myself, but will do....infact you may have given me the inspiration to get off my a_se and do it!
Try www.marsbrookboating.com
There's a list of sailing establishments who do RYA courses with detailed information on what they do there. One of them must do it and fingers crossed be near to you.
Good luck.
Richard
Try www.marsbrookboating.com
There's a list of sailing establishments who do RYA courses with detailed information on what they do there. One of them must do it and fingers crossed be near to you.
Good luck.
Richard
G
Guest
Guest
I did mine with P & O in Dover, very good and they do take "outsiders"
BrianJ
New member
Like everyone else I would encourage you to do the course.
Here in Oz.. Its now compulsory for all offshore races, (i.e. Sydney/ Hobart, Melbourne/ Hobart etc) that a high percentage of crew would have done the course. Eventually all crew will be expected to have completed the full course.
Apart from getting into a liferaft with all your wet weather gear on (including sea boots) and PFD, there were other aspects that we seem to take for granted. However look at your PFD and see if you have a “modern “ one or the bulky “big boobs “ one. If the latter, I guarantee you will have massive problems getting into the liferaft. Or, for that matter, turning it over in rough weather. . I had never been forced to try and enter a liferaft before, it’s a learning experience, believe me. Also as someone else said, you now decide what additional gear you want packed into your raft.
BIG, BIG issue was the “Duty of Care”. A well-known Barrister talked about crisis management and risk management..
We discussed Owner’s responsibility … now that in itself is an eye opener
Emergency planning
Heavy weather sailing
Crew training
Crew drill
Rescue (by helicopter. by ship ..by yacht
Fire fighting
Plus tons of other topics.. all of which you should know or refresh yourself about.
Yes I am more than enthusiastic about a Safety and Survival Course
BrianJ
Here in Oz.. Its now compulsory for all offshore races, (i.e. Sydney/ Hobart, Melbourne/ Hobart etc) that a high percentage of crew would have done the course. Eventually all crew will be expected to have completed the full course.
Apart from getting into a liferaft with all your wet weather gear on (including sea boots) and PFD, there were other aspects that we seem to take for granted. However look at your PFD and see if you have a “modern “ one or the bulky “big boobs “ one. If the latter, I guarantee you will have massive problems getting into the liferaft. Or, for that matter, turning it over in rough weather. . I had never been forced to try and enter a liferaft before, it’s a learning experience, believe me. Also as someone else said, you now decide what additional gear you want packed into your raft.
BIG, BIG issue was the “Duty of Care”. A well-known Barrister talked about crisis management and risk management..
We discussed Owner’s responsibility … now that in itself is an eye opener
Emergency planning
Heavy weather sailing
Crew training
Crew drill
Rescue (by helicopter. by ship ..by yacht
Fire fighting
Plus tons of other topics.. all of which you should know or refresh yourself about.
Yes I am more than enthusiastic about a Safety and Survival Course
BrianJ
steve123
Member
My wife, 2 teenage sons and I did a 1 day Sea Survival course at South Tyneside College a couple of weeks ago (tel: 0191 4273900). Cost £70 each. We found it excellent.
It follows the RYA syllabus (you get a certificate). The morning is spent in the classroom covering the theory (preparation, clothing, hyperthermia, flares, search and rescue, liferaft equipment and use, principles of survival, etc.) and the afternoon in the pool. I chose this venue because, unlike your local swimming pool, they have an environmental pool that is used for commercial training. This includes a variable wave pattern generator, wind, rain, light and sound effects. It made a tremendous difference trying to get in the liferaft with all these switched on. We ended the session being winched from the raft with a helicopter type winch. We all agreed it had been a worthwhile day.
It follows the RYA syllabus (you get a certificate). The morning is spent in the classroom covering the theory (preparation, clothing, hyperthermia, flares, search and rescue, liferaft equipment and use, principles of survival, etc.) and the afternoon in the pool. I chose this venue because, unlike your local swimming pool, they have an environmental pool that is used for commercial training. This includes a variable wave pattern generator, wind, rain, light and sound effects. It made a tremendous difference trying to get in the liferaft with all these switched on. We ended the session being winched from the raft with a helicopter type winch. We all agreed it had been a worthwhile day.
