Basic Sea survival one-day course
The course duration is one day, including a two hour practical session with a liferaft in the water. The assumed level of knowledge before starting this course is nil.
Preparation for sea survival
Survival difficulties.
Survival requirements.
Equipment available.
Actions prior to abondonment.
Lifejackets and liferafts
Lifejacket design and construction.
Correct donning procedure.
Purpose and use of lifejackets.
Safety harness - purpose and use.
Liferafts
Stowage and containment on board.
Types designs and construction.
Launching.
Abondoning the vessel and boarding the liferaft.
Righting a capsized liferaft.
Liferaft equipment.
Initial actions to be taken in a liferaft.
Cut - Close - Stream - Maintain.
Principles of survival
Methods to increase chances of survival.
Signs, symptoms and treatment of hypothermia.
Symptoms, method of treatment for sunburn, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Survival routines to aid location.
Correct use of pyrotechnics and other location aids.
Water rationing - procedures.
Dehydration and preventative measures.
Food Rationing.
Sources of food.
Survival craft ailments
Raft Management
Search and rescue
Rescue by helicopter or vessel.
Role of HM Coastguard.
UK and International SAR Organisations.
Other services.
Please note
Although not involving continuous or distance swimming the pool session is very demanding in short bursts and does require a reasonable level of fitness and mobility. Course members should ensure they are sufficiently fit to participate. (pool depth 10 feet)