AS SAFETY AND SEA SURVIVAL

The Australian Sailing Safety and Sea Survival Course is an INTENSIVE course aimed to deliver up-to-date information and current techniques in an interactive and safe learning environment. The course includes a practical wet drill, where candidates will become familiar with the deployment and use of a life-raft and life jackets, as well as a flare demonstration where you get to experience firing distress flares. Our theory sessions encourage free discussion of equipment, techniques, regulations and drills, drawing on the combined knowledge and experience of instructors and students to greatly enhance your chances of survival in the event of an emergency at sea.

As well as being of tremendous value to all mariners - sailors, cruisers and racers alike - the Certificate awarded also meets the eligibility requirements of the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations for Category 0, 1 and 2 offshore races.

For entrants in categorised offshore races your SSS Certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of the course. Certificates must be re-validated at the end of this period by attending a refresher or repeat SSS course.

For cruising sailors a 5-yearly repeat course is strongly recommended.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

This course assumes that you have no prior knowledge of sailing but some practical experience is desirable.

SYLLABUS

This course will cover safety and emergency planning, safety and survival equipment, meteorology, heavy weather strategies, marine emergencies, damage control, distress communications, abandoning ship, deployment and

use of life-rafts, helicopter rescue and pyrotechnics.

COURSE DURATION

To gain the AS Safety and Sea Survival certificate requires attending a 12 hour course held over 2 evenings of 3 hours and 1 day of 6 hours.

WHAT TO BRING

Your instructor will provide course packs, registration forms, coffee and biscuits, practical flare demonstrations, pool session, course completion certificate. You will need to bring a note book, pen, lunch, towel, change of clothes, safety harness with crutch strap, PFD 1 life jacket with crutch strap, offshore wet weather gear including sea boots. 

COST

The cost is $325 per person for the full course and $270 for those revalidating their certificate. If you are revalidating, please contact the Derwent Sailing Squadron, Sailing Operations Manager on 0417 121 575  to discuss the revalidation registration cost.

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Course Overview

The Safety & Sea Survival (SSS) course involves classroom presentations & learning activities, and practical exercises in the use of liferafts, inflatable lifejackets & distress flares.  Of 16 hrs duration the course is usually delivered over 2 full-days and is facilitated by Safety & Sea Survival Instructors at approved Training Centres. The maximum teaching ratio for this course is 20 students to 1 SSS Instructor (in the classroom) with a reduced ratio of 10:1 for pool sessions.  Practical exercises are usually conducted in heated public swimming pools, but may be conducted in clean and enclosed salt-water pools and Marinas providing the water is clean, the temperature is at least 15^oC, and all associated risks have been managed.

Course Prerequisites

Nil

Who should do this course?

This Course assists offshore skippers and crews in developing awareness of respective responsibilities. To offer and discuss practical strategies for coping with emergencies at sea. To familiarise skippers and crews with safety and emergency equipment, its purpose, deployment, and use. This course is also suitable for cruisers or those wanting to learn more about safety on the water.

Course Outcome

You will gain a Safety and Sea Survival Qualification Certificate as required for Category 1 and Category 2 races. This certificate is valid for 5 years from the date of the course.