Updated Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats

1. Identify the dangers associated with the use of off-load and on-load release devices,including:
i. The difference between ‘off-load’ and ‘on-load’ release equipment;
ii. The importance of ensuring lifeboat is water-borne before release from falls;
iii. Identification and explanation of hydrostatic interlocks used in on-load release systems and their correct operation.

2. Demonstrate the correct operation of off-load and on-load release devices, including the correct resetting of both types of release device.

3. Identify and explain the correct operation of Fall Prevention/Secondary Safety Devices or their equivalent.

4. Safely operate a survival craft engine, including:
i. Pre-start preparations and checks;
ii. Start, stop and safely operate survival craft engine;
iii. Cold starting procedures;
iv. Basic fault finding or possible problems if the engine fails to start.

5. Safely take charge of a survival craft or rescue boat during and after launch including
i. Interpret and explain the markings on survival craft as to the number of persons they are
intended to carry;
ii. Give the correct commands for launching and boarding survival craft, clearing the ship and handling and disembarking persons from survival craft;
iii. Prepare and safely launch survival craft and clear the ship’s side quickly;
iv. Safely recover survival craft and rescue boats.

6. Safely manage survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship including:
i. Operate a survival craft using oars and power and steer the craft on a compass course;
ii. Use individual items of equipment of survival crafts.

7. Rig and use locating devices including communication and signalling apparatus and pyrotechnics:
i. Radio life-saving appliances, including EPIRBs, hand held radios (including those
equipped with air band frequencies where appropriate) and radar transponders (SARTs)
Use and choice of communication equipment should be appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions;
ii. Identify how best to use survival craft location aids, including pyrotechnic distress signals
and radar reflectors.

8. Apply first aid to survivors, including:
i. Describe the use of items in the first aid kit;
ii. Demonstrate resuscitation techniques.

9. Describe the management of injured persons, including:
i. Dealing with injured persons in a survival craft during and after abandonment, covering
casualty handling and management of conditions such as control of bleeding and shock;
ii. Drowning and dealing with prevention, effects and treatment of hypothermia;
iii. Personal protection, and demonstration of immersion suits and thermal protective aids;
iv. Cold weather injuries, covering frostbite, immersion foot;
v. Warm weather injuries, covering sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke;
vi. Effects of seasickness and dehydration.

Contact us

Please contact us if you require any further information about this course or wish to book on behalf of a company:

Telephone: 01454 260130
Email: info@southwestmaritimeacademy.com

Normal office hours are (UK time):
Monday  – Friday: 08.30 – 17.00

Please be aware that online bookings will be confirmed with course joining information within one working day of the booking being made. Confirmation of payment will be received by email.

There is a wide range of local accommodation, some of which are within walking distance of the training centre to suit everyone’s budget. For a list of local accommodation please click here.