Our one-day RYA First Aid course covers all the usual first aid subjects but from a boating perspective. It’s aimed at anyone who goes afloat, whether on inland waters, rivers, estuaries, or cross-channel passages.
The course is specifically designed with the marine environment in mind, teaching you what to do in situations where people have accidents. It covers resuscitation, CPR, drowning, cold shock, hypothermia, head injuries, bleeding, how to recognise and treat seasickness and dehydration through burns, cuts, and bruises. Additionally, the course covers calling for help and how to prepare for a helicopter evacuation. A little first aid knowledge and immediate action can save lives in a medical emergency, especially in remote locations.
The course is designed to provide a working knowledge of first aid for people using small craft, skippers and crew members.
The course is aimed at:
Anyone who spends time on the water would benefit from attending this course but it also fulfils specific requirements for:
- Watersports instructors & Yacht Skippers;
- Professional skippers (commercial endorsement) of small craft working within 60 miles of a safe haven, including Boatmasters;
- The Senior First Aid certificate needed by offshore racers subject to World Sailing’s regulations on first aid training (OSR 4.08.4), including CAT C Medial kit usage;
- Covers use of Category C First Aid kit required for commercially endorsed skippers.
Furthermore, the course is highly recommended by the MCA and HSE. Even if you just sail for pleasure, this course would be hugely beneficial in the event of an incident at sea.
The subjects specific to boating include:
- The recovery position in a confined space
- CPR, including the drowning protocol
- Cold shock and hypothermia from immersion and/or exposure
- Seasickness and dehydration
- Medical assistance or advice by VHF
- Helicopter rescue
RYA First Aid Course Syllabus
- Demonstrate artificial ventilation & chest compression (CPR)
- Demonstrate how to turn a casualty into the recovery position
- Detail the treatment for shock
- Apply direct pressure to a wound and control bleeding
- Outline the treatment for asthma attacks, burns, diabetic emergencies, epilepsy and heart attacks
- List the precautions needed when handling a spinal injury
- Demonstrate how to immobilise a fracture
- List actions needed to prepare for helicopter evacuation
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Nicely run course, delivered in a relaxed and helpful way
VHF online course was comprehensive and easy to follow. Marcus was extremely helpful in answering my queries before the exam. On the day of the exam I was accompanied by my daughter who i expected would wait outside whilst I completed the test. Instead Marcus involved her and allowed her to follow the script during the practical radio examples – she was delighted to be involved and to push the big red button! Thank you Marcus. I would highly recommend Polka Sailing for the VHF or day skipper theory course. Marcus is an engaging instructor who brings the syllabus to life with practical examples.
Thank is my third course with Marcus. He always managed to strike the right balance of making it fun whilst we learn and understand the serious points. He was the same for the assessment so my nervous was dispelled and I really enjoyed it.
Clear and good instruction delivered in a professional way. Highly recommend Marcus
very professional and helpful from start to finish Thanks