The SSS Course certificate is valid for 5 years.  For sailors whose certificates have expired, a refresher (or updated) course of 8 hours tuition time. The refresher course is designed for active offshore racing sailors. 

Content of the SSS Refresher, or Update course

This course focus is on lessons learned from recent incidents, updates on equipment & regulations, safety information, and practical skills in the use of liferafts and lifejackets.  The course requires a minimum of 8 hours tuition time, excluding breaks and travel, and meets the requirements of the World Sailing (ISAF) Special Regulations, Appendix G, Part D - Guidelines for an Offshore Personal Survival Refresher Course.

The following content is to be included in the course:

• Recent changes to the Offshore Special Regulations including Amendments
• New technology and safety equipment, including equipment requirements of the Special Regulations, and operational aspects of equipment
• Safety Information Notices
• Lessons learned from accidents and incidents in Offshore & Ocean racing during the past 5 years
• Changes to Maritime Search and Rescue and Meteorological services
• Any updates on Medical services and/or Fire Fighting equipment and techniques
• 3 hour practical session on the use of liferafts and lifejackets, activation of PLBs and EPIRBs, rescue, and in-water survival techniques (as per the Full Course)

At the end of the course, participants will complete an assessment paper, either in the Classroom, or on-line.

Course attendees will receive a 'participant pack' that includes the latest RYA Sea Survival Handbook either in printed or electronic format (redemption voucher).

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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.  

The refresher course 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

Must have a Safety & Sea Survival Certicificate which has an expiry date of no longer than 2 years previously.

Who should do this course?

The refresher, or update, course is designed for active offshore racing sailors and anyone who does not sail regularly should seriously consider attending a full 2 day Safety & Sea Survival course. An update course also provides a valuable refresher to cruising sailors.

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.