RYA Instructor First Aid Requirements:

RYA practical instructors (excluding Advanced Powerboat, Cruising and Yachtmaster Instructors):

For the purposes of RYA practical instructor qualifications other than Advanced Powerboat, Cruising and Yachtmaster Instructor endorsements, the RYA has opted to match the UK’s HSE’s practice in allowing RTCs and instructors to use alternative first aid qualifications, providing the course meets the minimum requirements given at the end of this guidance. On RYA Instructor courses the Coach / Trainer will verify that an in date first aid certificate is held.

RYA Cruising Instructors, Yachtmaster Instructors, Powerboat Advanced Instructors:

Cruising and Yachtmaster Instructors and Advanced Powerboat instructors teaching the Advanced Powerboat course should hold a valid commercial endorsement and therefore comply with the requirements detailed in the commercial endorsement section above. Advanced Powerboat Instructors who don’t hold acommercial endorsement may only teach up to the Intermediate course.

RTC Principals and Chief Instructors must ensure all instructors teaching Cruising and Advanced Powerboat courses hold an appropropriate first aid certificate.

Minimum RYA first aid requirements:

Course duration: 1 day with at least 6 hours instructional time.

Course outcomes:

• Understand the role of a first aider in regard to:

i. The importance of preventing cross infection

ii. The need for recording and/or reporting incidents and accidents

iii. Assessing a scenario and circumstances to ensure they act safely, promptly and

effectively in an emergency

• Can 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 small spaces.
• Can administer first aid to those who are unconscious
• Can identify types of external bleeding and control bleeding
• Can use appropriate dressings, bandages and other first aid equipment available, including
• improvised dressings and bandages.
• Understand the term shock, recognise and treat it
• Can recognise and understands the treatment for hypothermia following immersion and/or
• exposure.
• Recognise the signs of a reduced level of response, with particular reference to serious head
• injuries.
• Can administer suitable first aid for:

i. breathing difficulties ii. choking

iii. chest pain iv. seasickness

v. diabetic emergency vi. anaphylaxis

vii. hyperthermia viii. fractures

ix. seizures

x. burns, including scalds, chemical and electrical

xi. minor injuries including small cuts, grazes, bruises and small splinters

• Can choose suitable first aid equipment

First aid certificates should be refreshed or renewed every three years, other than STCW First Aid certificates which may be refreshed up to every 5 years.