Overview:
The aim of this course is to meet the mandatory minimum standards of competence for seafarers for safety familiarisation, basic training and instruction in personal survival techniques in accordance with section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code.
Seafarers employed as part of a vessel complement, or engaged in any capacity on board a vessel or on the business of those vessels, with designated safety or pollution-prevention duties in the operation of the vessel, shall, before being assigned to any shipboard duties, receive appropriate approved basic training or instruction in personal survival techniques as set out in table AVI/1 of the STCW Code.
The objective is to provide trainees with guidance and information to gain the knowledge, understanding and proficiency (KUP) required to achieve the objectives of the learning outcomes to demonstrate their competence in personal survival techniques.
The course syllabus covers the KUPs in table A-VI/1-1 of the STCW Code, and trainees successfully completing this course will gain knowledge and skills to be able to survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment.
On completion of the course, you will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
- don a lifejacket;
- don and use an immersion suit;
- safely jump from a height into the water;
- right an inverted liferaft while wearing a lifejacket;
- swim while wearing a lifejacket;
- keep afloat without a lifejacket;
- board a survival craft from the vessel and water while wearing a lifejacket;
- take initial actions on boarding survival craft to enhance the chance of survival;
- stream a drogue or sea-anchor;
- operate survival craft equipment; and,
- operate location devices, including radio equipment.
NOTE: Personal Survival Techniques requires refreshing at intervals not exceeding 5 years
Prerequisites:
For the issue of a Certificate of Proficiency in Personal Survival Techniques, you must:
- be at least 16 years of age;
- hold a valid Medical Fitness Certificate; and,
- successfully complete approved training in Personal Survival Techniques, meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-VI/1-1 of the STCW Code.
NOTE: In exceptional circumstances where a learner is physically able and fit, they may be able to complete the training course prior to their 16th birthday.
Duration:
Typically the course is run over a 1 day period (8 hours), of which approximately 60% of the time will be used completing practical exercises.