RYA First Aid Syllabus

This course is required for your Yachtmaster Coastal and Yachtmaster Offshore, but a great course for anyone going out to sea.

In a medical emergency a little first aid knowledge and immediate action can save lives, especially in remote locations.

This one day course is designed to provide a working knowledge of first aid for people using small craft and to support skippers of yachts and motor vessels.  It fulfils the requirements for skippers of small craft working with in 60miles of a safe haven.  The course is MCA and Health & Safety Executive (HSE) approved.

The certificate is valid for 3 years and is accepted for

• The MCA Code of Practice for skippers  of small commercial vessels up to Category 2
• A first aid certificate for offshore racers subject to ISAF regulations on first aid training (OSR:6.05i)
• All RYA practical instructors.

Course Duration

8 hours

Course Syllabus

Session 1

ASSESSMENT, IMMEDIATE ACTIONS AND THE PRIORITIES WITHIN FIRST AID

• Understands the importance of avoiding cross contamination
• Understands the need to report and/or record incidents and accidents
• Knowledge of the benefit if immediate first aid
• Can asssss for dangers in first aid situations
• Understands that making the scene safe is the first priority 
• Knowledge of the 3 aims of first aid
• Understands the need to look for external clues and collect information from the casualty and bystanders
• Understands the importance of identifying a life threatening situation quickly and summoning the Emergency Services without delay.

UNRESPONSIVENESS AND THE RECOVERY POSITION

• Can perforn a primary survey correctly
• Understands why an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally should be put in the recovery position unless injury or trauma prevents movemner
• Can place a casualty in the recovery position effectively, with the airway open
• Understands why accurate positioning of the head is vital
• Understands the need to turn a casualty in the recovery position onto the other side afer 30 minutes 
• Understands the need to monitor a casualty in the recovery position and protect them from the cold
• Knowledge of the possibility of modifying the position, if necessary.

CPR, INCLUDING THE USE OF AN AED

• Understands the chain of survival, and that a casualty is unlikely to recover with CPR alone
• Understands the aim of CPR is to maintain oxygen perfusion to the brain and other vital organs
• Understands that an unresponsive casulaty who is not breathing normally requires CPR
• Understands that agonoal breathing is not normal breathing
• Can perform CPR effectively to the current protocol
• Understands that a trained first aider should do rescue breaths as well as compressions, if possible
• Understands that vomiting during CPR is common and the action to take
• Understands that a Distress Announcement and Mayday should be sent, or help summoned by phone, before CPR is started
• Understands how an AED is used, and that they are completely safe
• Understands that an AED should be used as soon as possible
• Understands when CPR should be stopped

DROWNING

• Understands the dirrerent CPR protocol for a victim of drowning
• Can perform CPR effectively using the drowning protocol
• Knowledge of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome or secondary drowning/delayed drowning
• Can recognise the signs of secondary/delayed drowning
• Understands that immediate medical attention is required if secondary/delayed drowning is suspected

BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

• Understands the signs of mild and severe choking
• Understands how to perform back blows and abdominal thrusts on an adult
• Understands the signs of other breathing difficulties, such as asthma and hyperventilation
• Understands how an inhaler and spacer device are used
• Can treat and position a casulaty with breathing difficulties appropriately.

Session 2 

FAILURE OF THE CIRCULATION: SHOCK

• Understands the term shock
• Knowledge of the most common causes of shock, including anaphylatic shock
• Can recognise the most important signs of shock
• Can treat and position a casualty appropriately
• Drowning, immersion hypothermia and cold shock
• Breathing difficulties

BLEEDING LOSS AND THE CONTROL OF BLEEDING

• Understands that volume of blood loss is very signifcant to deterioration of a casulaty
• Understands that a casualties past medical history may be very significant, including medication such as aspirin or warfarin
• Knowledge of different types of bleeding 
• Knowledge of the need to take universal precautions when treating wounds
• Understands that the main method of treating bleeding is direct pressure
• Can apply a pressure dressing effectively, including improvised bandages
• Understands that an embedded object should not be removed
• Understands the term catastrophic bleeding
• Knowledge of theuse of haemostatic dressings and tourniquets in the case of a catastrophic bleed

• Can treat and position a casualty appropriately

RECOGNITION OF INTERNAL BLEEDING

• Understands that internal bleeding can be life threatening
• Knowledge of how an internal bleed might occur
• Can recognise the signs of an internal blee
• Can treat and position a casualty approriately.

ANGINA AND HEART ATTACK

• Understands that heart attack is a form of shock
• Knowledge of the causes of heart attack
• Knowledge that heart attack is a common cause of sudden illness in an adult
• Understands angina attacks often occur with exercise, and are frewuently relieved by rest
• Can identify symptoms of a heart attack
• Knowledge of differences between heart attack and angina
• Can treat and position a casualty appropriately
• Understands the use of aspirin in the case of a heart attack or angina.

Session 3

LEVELS OF RESPONSE AND THE AVPU SCALE

• Understands that a reduced level of response indicates a problem with the brain
• Knowledge that there are many causes of unresponsiveness
• Understands that an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally should be placed in the recovery position
• Knowledge that unresponsiveness can develop gradually
• Understands how the AVPU scale is used to determine level of responsive, and monitor improvement or deterioration
• Understands that there are many circumstances where assessing the level of response is important
• Can use the AVPU scale effectively

HEAD INJURY: CONCUSSION AND COMPRESSION

• Knowledge of the risks of serious head injuries on sailing boats
• Knowledge of types of serius head injuries 
• Can identify signs of a serius head injury
• Understands that confusion and deteriorating level of response are signs that the condition is worsening
• Understands that a case of suspected concussions should be assessed by a professional
• Understands that a serious head injury may involve a spinal injury in addition
• Can treat and position a casualty appropriately

IMMERSION HYPOTHERMIA AND COLD SHOCK

• Knowledge that cold shock may cause a heart attack
• Knowlege that rapid breathing caused by cold shock may lead to inhalation and drowning
• Understands that cold shock only lasts a few minutes
• Knowledge of the additional protection provided by a spray hood on a lifejacket
• Knowledge that body heat is lost far faster in water than in air
• Understands that death is usually from drowning, either immediately if the victim has no lifejacket, or once unresponsive from hypothermia
• Understands that a casualty rescued from the water must be assessed in case CPR is required and treated for hypothermia
• Understands how to rewarm a casualty safely, including use of a TPA
• Can treat and position a casualty appropriately

BURNS: INCLUDING SUNBURN, SCALDS, CHEMICAL  AND ELECTRICAL

• Knowledge that burns are caused in a variety of ways
• Understands how burns are classified by depth
• Understands the general treatment for burns is cooling for 20 minutes
• Knowledge that an electrical shock can cause heart arrhythmias, in addition to an entry and exit wound
• Knowledge of the treatment for a chemical splash in the eye
• Understands how the severity of burns is assessed, and when hospital treatment is required
• Understands the risk of infection and the type of wound covering to be used
• Understands the risks of removing clothing that may be stuck to the skin and from items that may restrict the circulation
• Understands that cream, oil or butter should never by used, including after sun cream

eXPOSURE HYPOTHERMIA/HYPERTHERMIA

• Knowledge that variation of body temperature by a few degrees can cause hypothermia or hyperthermia
• Knowledge of the risk to safe boat management of exposuer hypothermia
• Can identify the signs of exposure hypothermia
• Understands the risks of rapid re-warming and the use of alcohol
• Knowledge of the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Can treat and position a casualty with heat exhaustion appropriately
• Knowledge that heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke
• Understands that heat stroke is a serious emergency
• Can treat and position a casualty with heat stroke appropriately

SEASICKNESS AND DEHYDRATION

• Knowledge that seasickness can cause dehydration
• Understands the early signs of dehydration
• Knowledge of methods of prevention
• Understands the use of oral rehydration solution
• Can treat and position a casualty appropriately

DIABETIC EMERGENCY

• Knowledge that diabetes is a very common condition
• Knowledge that diabetes is managed in several different ways
• Can identify symptoms of hypoglycaemia
• Can treat a hypoglycaemic casualty appropriately
• Understands that an unconscious diabetic patient is an emergency
• Knowledge that hyperglycaemia develops slowly and requires medical attention

SEIZURES

• Understands that a seizure-like episode may be a sign of a cardiac arrest, and that the casualty should be assessed for normal breathing
• Knowledge that not all seizure are due to epilepsy
• Knowledge that epileptic episodes can be focal or absence seizures
• Understands the general care required during and after a seizure
• Understands when emergency help should be called

Session 4

FRACTURES, INCLUDING SPINAL INJURIES

• Knowledge of different types of fracture
• Can recognise the signs of a fracture
• Understands that straightening of an angulated limb should not be attempted
• Can identify when emergency help is required
• Knowledge of the high risk of infection in an open fracture
• Can treat and position a casualty appropriately
• Understands the risks associated with spinal injury
• Can treat and position casualty with suspected spinal injury appropriately
• Understands when an unconscious casualty with suspected spinal injury may have to be moved into the recovery position

FIRST AID KITS

• Knowledge that a private leisure vessel first aid kit may include items in addition to a basic workplace first aid kit, including medications
• Can select suitable items for a boat first aid kit
• Understands safe storage and the need to check expiry dates

ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE BY RADIO

• Can determine when a Distress Annoucement and Mayday should be sent, or a request made to HM Coastguard for medical assistance
• Knowledge of the procedure for getting medical advice by radio, and that additional information will be requested
• Knowledge that an SRC radio certificate is required to use the VHF without supervision
• Understands that a mobile phone is not advised in emergencies afloat

MEDIVAC: THE EVACUATION OF A CASUALTY BY HELICOPTER

• Knowledge of HM Coastguard rescue helicopters and asssistance available from Coastguard Rescue Teams and lifeboats
• Understands how to prepare a boat and the casualty for the arrival of a rescue helicopter
• Understands the actions required when the helicopter is on scene, and how to manage a hi-line
• Can identify actions that could be dangerous, such as using a parachute rocket, attaching the hi-line to the boat, not allowing the hi-line to earth

Session 5

THE CONTENTS AND USE OF THE CATEGORY C MEDICAL STORES, INCLUDING THE POCKET MASK

• Understands which vessels require Category C Medical Stores
• Understands use of GTN, including possible side effects
• Knowledge of other medications in Category C Medical Stores
• Understands that a pocket mask can be used for "over the head" CPR
• Can use a pocket mask effectively
• Knowledge of storage requirement

Dates