RYA First Aid Course summary

RYA First Aid Course summary

This course is designed to provide a working knowledge of first aid for all those who go afloat, on inland waters or up to 60 miles offshore. The syllabus is based on the recommendations of the Health and Safety Executive and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Pre-course knowledge

None required.

Duration

1 day non-residential.

Certification

The RYA Small Craft First Aid certificate awarded upon successful completion of the course is valid for three years and is suitable for those who wish to take the RYA / MCA Coastal Skipper or RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Offshore examination.

The certificate fulfills the requirements of the MCA Code of Practice for the skippers of small commercial vessels up to category 2 and for all RYA practical instructors.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course the student should be able to:

• Perform CPR to current protocols, and understand the differential for drowning.
• Understand the importance of the recovery position and the need to modify it for a small space.
• Apply direct pressure to a wound to control bleeding.
• Understand the term shock, recognise and treat it, with particular reference to internal and external bleeding.
• Understand the treatment for cold shock and hypothermia following immersion and/or exposure.
• Recognise the signs of a reduced level of response, with particular reference to serious head injuries.

Also be aware of the general treatment for:

• breathing difficulties
• anaphylaxis
• chest pain
• hyperthermia
• seasickness
• fractures
• diabetic emergency
• seizures
• burns

Choose suitable first aid equipment for their boat.

Understand how to get medical advice or assistance by radio.

Understand how to prepare for the evacuation of a casualty by helicopter.

Skippers of MCA Coded Vessels only:

Be aware of the content and use of a category C first aid kit, including the pocket mask.

The Course

Session 1

• Assessment, immediate actions and the priorities within first aid.
• Unconsciousness and the recovery position
• CPR
• Drowning
• Breathing difficulties

Session 2

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

Session 3

Levels of response and the AVPU scale.
Head injury: concussion and compression.
Immersion hypothermia and cold shock
Burns, including sunburn.
Exposure hypothermia/hyperthermia
Seasickness and dehydration
Diabetic emergency.
Seizures

Session 4

• Fractures, including spinal injuries
• First aid kits
• Advice or assistance by radio
• Medivac…..the evacuation of a casualty by helicopter.

Session 5

For the skippers of MCA coded boats:

• The contents and use of the category C first aid kit, including the pocket mask.

Or

Subject of special interest to the group:

• Weils disease, blue/green algae, child CPR, marine stings, fish hooks etc