"valid first aid Certificate"

[Doug_Stormforce]

When applying for an RYA YM exam, what counts as a valid first aid certificate?

I have a level 2 in first aid, I'm guessing that counts?

What else would count?

many thanks in adavance.

It depends on which "level 2" First Aid you have. If the issuing body are using Level 2 to refer to the HSE First Aid at Work Course then yes it would suffice. There are however all sorts of self appointed qualifying bodies who make use of terms like "level 2". There is currently no recognised standard in the First Aid training world where we all understand Level 2 as the same thing, (this however may soon change).

When I once questioned the RYA about this they were happy that it could be any standard one day course, as run by the Red Cross or St. John, but it should cover off hypothermia in some detail - especially following immersion in water - and also secondary drowning. Obvious really. I'm sure any instructor would be happy to talk about these as additional items if you asked - most classes I've been are taken by those renewing so can move fairly quickly.

Certainly these points were covered off in detail the one time I did a sailing specific course - the instructor used an RN video showing Duncan Goodhew and Sharon Davies swimming in a tank held at 5C whilst wearing normal day clothes. After 10 minutes their strokes were completely un-cordinated - frightening!

While secondary drowning is a useful thing to cover its actually drowning that the RYA would like to see covered along with hypothermia and cold shock.

Good luck with your Yacht Master, if you want to get your Yacht Master Commercially endorsed you may want to check your First Aid certificate is Valid for STCW 95. I may be wrong but I think the Red Cross/St Johns Etc. are not.

NO the RYA/MCA commercial endorsement does not specifically require a STCW First Aid certificate, it is the STCW Endorsement that requires the STCW basic safety courses

Correct.

Only an MCA accredited first aid certificate, to the STCW95 standard, counts for commercial endorsement.

Most sailing schools will do the course, it's still only one day unless you're looking for the further afield requirements.

50% right. Most sailing schools will do a one day course suitable for the commercial endorsements (its the RYA First Aid), however very few sailing schools actually run the STCW First Aid Course. However this does not matter as the majority of Yachtmasters and Instructors do not require the STCW certificate (see above).

As far as I'm aware, ALL First Aid certificates are only valid for 3 years, and must be renewed by taking a refresher course. This makes sense, because the advice on some matters changes as knowledge is increased; for example, the technique for CPR has been changed since I last did a first-aid course, and interrupting the chest compressions to give rescue breathing is no longer recommended. I think that's how it changed anyway! I'm sure they still recommend "Nellie the Elephant" to get the rythm of chest compressions right, though. And new equipment comes along, as well.

Does this mean that if you DON'T renew your First Aid certificate, your YM is also void until it is renewed?

No, the First Aid is not required to keep your Yachtmaster itself valid, it however required if you are working commercially. TO be exact a crew member on board must hold the relevant level of in date First Aid, in reality for commercial skippers of small craft this would be themselves.

It's a really confusing but the official line on the RYA website is

"All candidates are required to hold a first aid certificate. Acceptable certificates include the RYA’s First Aid Certificate, First Aid at Work, First Aid at Sea, or any other certificate issued on completion of a course which is a minimum of one day’s duration, recognised by the Health and Safety Executive and includes the treatment of hypothermia, cold shock and drowning. "

If you wish to be Commercially endorsed to work you need either the STCW elementary first aid or the RYA eight hour first aid. There is no reason why you cannot get your Yachtmaster Commercially endorsed at a later date. You would then also require the four elements of STCW 95 and either An ML5 or ENG1 medical fitness certificate.

There are 2 separate endorsements being confused here. If looking for a commercial endorsement you MAY use the STCW Elementary First Aid BUT you do not have to.

The STCW Endorsement however requires you to hold the STCW Elementary First Aid certificate (and other STCW certs)

STCW basic certificates do not currently expire and according to the RYA can be used for longer than 3 years. However this might now have changed due to the Manila amendments.

Correct, although the STCW First Aid does not currently expire as part of the basic safety package that seafarers require, but it would expire in terms of someone responsible for First Aid or for an Instructor.

 

[awol]

Hmmm, minimum of 8 hours, eh? I've just signed up for a "RYA" first aid course at Port Edgar 09.30-17.00 "bring packed lunch or you can eat in the café".
Am I being short changed?