FIRST AID COURSE

One day · Classroom-based · MCA approved · £150

Serious incidents at sea are rare — but when they happen, they happen fast, far from help, and often in conditions that make everything harder. Knowing what to do in those first critical minutes can make the difference between a frightening situation and a catastrophic one.

First aid afloat is not the same as first aid on land. Hypothermia, cold water shock, drowning protocol, and requesting medical assistance by VHF are skills that standard first aid courses simply don’t cover. The RYA First Aid course is built specifically for water users, combining core life-saving techniques with the marine-specific knowledge every sailor and powerboater should have.

Course at a Glance

Duration	1 day
Format	Classroom-based
Who it’s for	Anyone who goes afloat — inland waters, rivers, estuaries, or offshore
Experience	None required
Minimum age	Recommended 13+
Price	£150 per person
Certificate	RYA First Aid Certificate, including Cat C endorsement
Approved by	MCA — satisfies requirements for Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster, and Advanced Powerboat Certificates of Competence

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for any water user — sailors, powerboaters, RIB drivers, canal and river cruisers, and anyone who spends time afloat. No previous first aid training or boating qualifications are required.

It is also a practical necessity for skippers working towards or holding Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster, or Advanced Powerboat Certificates of Competence, for whom MCA-approved first aid training is a formal requirement.

And whilst skippers in particular benefit, this is a course that every crew member should consider. In a genuine emergency offshore, it is rarely possible for one person alone to navigate, helm, call for help, and administer first aid simultaneously. Confident crew who know what to do could prove invaluable.

What’s Included

✓ Full day of first aid training from instructors with real boating experience

✓ All necessary equipment and consumables provided

✓ RYA First Aid Book — a comprehensive reference with clear visual aids and a dedicated marine-specific section

✓ RYA First Aid Certificate including Category C endorsement on completion

✓ Free parking at Port Hamble Marina

✓ Tea and coffee throughout the day

Not included: lunch or accommodation.

What You Will Learn

The course covers a full range of first aid skills, with particular emphasis on the scenarios most likely to arise at sea. By the end of the day, you will be able to respond effectively to the most common and most serious onboard medical situations.

Cardiac and respiratory emergencies

• CPR and AED techniques for adults and children, including the drowning protocol.

• Recognition and treatment of angina and heart attack.

• The recovery position, including in a confined space.

Cold water and immersion

• Cold water shock: causes, symptoms, and immediate response.

• Hypothermia from immersion and exposure: prevention, recognition, and treatment.

Trauma and bleeding

• Treatment of bleeding and catastrophic bleeding.

• Recognition and treatment of head injuries.

• Treatment and types of burns.

• Treatment and causes of shock.

Marine-specific conditions

• Prevention and treatment of seasickness and dehydration.

• First Aid kits and Category C kit contents: what to carry and why.

Requesting assistance

• Obtaining medical advice or assistance by VHF radio.

• Helicopter rescue (Medevac): how to prepare your vessel and crew.

Book Your Place

The RYA First Aid course runs regularly from Port Hamble Marina. Places are limited, so early booking is recommended to secure your preferred date.

To book or to ask a question, contact us at info@whitetipsailing.com or visit whitetipsailing.com.

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