Course Overview
The one-day RYA First Aid course covers essential first-aid subjects from a boating perspective. It is designed for anyone who goes afloat, whether on inland waters, rivers and estuaries or on coastal and offshore passages.
A medical emergency aboard a yacht can be very different from one ashore. Space may be restricted, the casualty may be wet or cold, movement can be difficult and professional help may take time to arrive. The course develops a practical working knowledge of the incidents most likely to be encountered on the water and the immediate actions that can make a real difference.
Training combines clear classroom explanation with practical exercises. You will consider how to assess an incident, protect yourself and the casualty, provide immediate care, request medical advice by VHF and prepare for assistance or evacuation.
Who Is This Course For?
Skippers, crew, sailing students, powerboaters, racing sailors, professional crew and anyone who spends time afloat and wants the confidence to respond to an onboard medical emergency.
Prerequisites
- No previous first-aid knowledge or qualification required
- No minimum age
- Willingness to take part in practical first-aid exercises
What Is Included
Included
- One day of classroom tuition with practical first-aid exercises
- Use of the training equipment required during the course
- The current RYA First Aid book
- Official RYA course certificate on successful completion
- Tea and coffee at the Phuket classroom
Not included
- Travel to or from the Phuket classroom
- Accommodation before or after the course
- Meals and personal expenses
- Higher-level medical or STCW first-aid qualifications
Delivery dates and final inclusions are confirmed before payment. External examination or certification fees remain separate unless your written quote explicitly includes them.
Course Syllabus
- The role and priorities of a first aider
- Assessing the scene and preventing cross-infection
- Basic life support and CPR, including the drowning protocol
- The recovery position in the confined space of a boat
- Unconscious casualties and reduced levels of response
- Choking and breathing difficulties
- Wounds, serious bleeding, dressings and improvised bandages
- Shock, head injuries, fractures and seizures
- Burns, scalds and minor injuries
- Cold-water shock and hypothermia following immersion or exposure
- Seasickness, dehydration, diabetic emergencies and anaphylaxis
- Chest pain and other medical emergencies
- Choosing and using suitable onboard first-aid equipment
- Obtaining medical advice or assistance by marine VHF
- Preparing for helicopter rescue or another medical evacuation
What you will work toward
- Assess an emergency and act safely, promptly and effectively
- Perform CPR using current protocols and understand the drowning protocol
- Place an unconscious casualty in a recovery position adapted for confined spaces
- Control bleeding, recognise shock and respond to common illnesses and injuries
- Recognise cold-water shock, hypothermia and other immersion-related risks
- Request medical advice or assistance by marine VHF and prepare for evacuation
Why first aid afloat is different
First aid at sea must account for the boat, the environment and the time required for professional assistance to reach you.
- Confined spaces may require changes to CPR and the recovery position
- The casualty may be cold, wet, seasick or affected by immersion
- The boat may still need to be navigated, controlled and kept safe
- Medical advice may need to be requested by VHF before help arrives
- The crew may need to prepare the casualty for lifeboat or helicopter evacuation
Where this qualification fits
The RYA First Aid course is MCA approved and is the boating-focused qualification commonly used across recreational training and some professional pathways.
- Accepted for RYA Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore examination requirements
- Accepted for the RYA Advanced Powerboat Certificate of Competence requirements
- Accepted by the MCA for certain work aboard small commercial vessels, including vessels operating up to Area Category 2
- Accepted by World Sailing for relevant Offshore Special Regulations requirements
- Covers Health and Safety requirements for Emergency First Aid at Work training
The correct medical qualification depends on the vessel, area of operation, flag state, role and applicable commercial code. Some work requires a higher-level or STCW medical certificate.
Certificate and renewal
Successful candidates receive an official RYA First Aid course certificate. First-aid knowledge and practical skills should be kept current rather than treated as a one-time qualification.
- RYA guidance normally requires First Aid certificates used for examination and instructor purposes to be refreshed or renewed every three years
- Check that your certificate will remain valid on the date of any Yachtmaster or Advanced Powerboat examination
- Commercial and STCW applications may apply different renewal periods or additional requirements
Recommended to Bring
- Comfortable clothing suitable for floor-based practical exercises
- Notebook and pen
- Any current first-aid certificate you would like the instructor to review
- Details of the qualification or commercial pathway for which you need First Aid
Supporting Courses
Marine Radio VHF/SRC complements First Aid by developing the communication procedures used to request medical advice or urgent assistance. Yachtmaster candidates should ensure that every supporting certificate meets the current examination requirements.
Your Next RYA Step
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum age for the RYA First Aid course?
No. The RYA publishes no minimum age for this course. Students must nevertheless be able to engage safely with the classroom explanations and practical exercises.
Do I need previous first-aid experience?
No. The course assumes no previous knowledge and develops the essential response step by step through explanation, demonstration and practical exercises.
How is marine first aid different from ordinary first aid?
A boat creates confined spaces, movement, cold-water and drowning risks, limited equipment and potentially long delays before professional help arrives. The course adapts first-aid priorities and techniques to these conditions and covers requesting medical advice by marine radio.
Is the course suitable for Yachtmaster candidates?
Yes. The RYA First Aid certificate is accepted for Yachtmaster Coastal and Offshore examination requirements. Your certificate must be valid on the examination date, and candidates seeking commercial work should also check the requirements applying to their intended role and vessel.
How long is the certificate valid?
RYA guidance normally requires First Aid certificates used for examination and instructor purposes to be refreshed or renewed every three years. Other commercial or STCW uses may follow different rules, so check the requirements for your intended application.
Where and when is the Phuket course delivered?
The one-day classroom course is arranged on request at or near our Phuket Yacht Haven base, subject to instructor and classroom availability. Send an enquiry and we will confirm the proposed date, venue, joining time and what to bring before requesting payment.