In a medical emergency a little first aid knowledge and immediate action can save lives. This is especially true in situations where it’s not easy to call an ambulance or get to a hospital. This one-day course is designed to teach you what to do in many of the situations where people have accidents whilst on a small craft from how to resuscitate someone to how to treat minor cuts.
RYA First Aid teaches you many useful aspects of first aid, with a focus on marine-specific situations - including CPR, drowning, cold shock, hypothermia, head injury, how to control bleeding, and recognising and treating sea sickness and dehydration. In addition, calling for help and knowing how to prepare for a helicopter evacuation forms an important part of the day.
This course is useful for anyone who goes out on the water and an RYA requirement for those taking Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster™ exams. At the end of the course you will qualify for the RYA First Aid Certificate which is valid for 3 years from time of issue. RYA First Aid also fulfils the requirements for Professional skippers of small craft working within 60 miles of a safe haven, including Boatmasters, and the Senior First Aid certificate needed by offshore racers subject to ISAF's regulations on first aid training (OSR 4.08.4). The course is recommended by the MCA and HSE.