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

• What is first aid and the priorities within first aid.
• The contents and use of a category C first aid  kit including the use of a pocket mask

Session 2 

• Assessment and the immediate actions
• Levels of response and the AVPU Scale
• Unconsciousness and the recovery position
• CPR (including an awareness of AEDs)
• Drowning, immersion hypothermia and cold shock
• Breathing difficulties

Session 3

• Failure of the circulation; shock
• Blood loss and the control of bleeding
• Recognition of internal bleeding
• Angina and heart attack
• Anaphylaxis

Session 4

• Fractures, including spinal injuries
• Head injury; concussion and compression
• Immersion hypothermia and cold shock
• Burns, including sunburn
• Exposure hypothermia and hyperthermia
• Seasickness and dehydration
• Diabetic emergency
• Seizures

Session 5

• Advise or assistance by radio
• Medivac: the evacuation of a casualty by helicopter

Dates