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Survival of the fi ttest S


Alternative pathway for Officer of the Watch


Did you know... • Approximately 55% of the annual


open water drownings in the UK happen within three metres of a safe refuge.


• About 42% happen within two metres of a safe refuge.


• Two thirds of those who die were regarded as good swimmers.


These statistics suggest that an adverse reaction to falling into cold water prevents people from swimming three metres to save their lives.


So what happens when you fall into cold water? There are four stages that a person will experience which are caused by the cooling of different areas of the body:


First: The initial response, known as ‘cold shock’ Cooling of the skin, which causes a sharp intake of breath or the ‘gasp reflex’ and a sudden increase in the work required of the heart, leading to death from cardiac arrest or stroke in some cases.


ome time ago we reported on a plan that was being developed in conjunction with the MCA with regard to an alternative pathway for those wishing to progress towards MCA Officer of the Watch (OOW). In simple terms, those candidates who do not have adequate sea time and command experience to be eligible for the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore exam (an existing OOW pre-requisite) will now be able to follow an alternative, although somewhat more restricted, pathway in order to progress towards OOW eligibility. A candidate with some experience in handling small craft such as tenders or a season or two afloat on a superyacht as active deck crew, and who meets some specific course completion and examination criteria, will now be eligible to progress to OOW. However they will NOT be eligible to undertake an MCA oral exam for a Master 200gt Certificate of Competence. It has been agreed that holders


Second: Short term response Cooling of the muscles and nerves that lie close to the surface of the body, particularly in the arms and legs, leading to physical incapacitation and making it difficult to swim (swim failure) or use the hands. This weakness can lead to death by drowning, especially if not wearing a lifejacket.


of an RYA Coastal Skipper Practical Course Completion Certificate will be eligible for the Yachtmaster Coastal exam with either 400 miles and 20 days on a vessel less than 24 metres in length, or 800 miles and 30 days on board a yacht of any size, provided at least 200 of these miles are on a vessel less than 24 metres in length. The requirements for two days as skipper (on a vessel less than 24 metres) and 12 night hours remain the same. The alternative RYA pathway to


Third: Long term response Cooling of the organs in the core of the body. Unconsciousness follows and at this stage drowning may occur due to wave splash even if the victim is wearing a lifejacket, if it has no spray hood.


» RYA Coastal Skipper Practical course certificate


Fourth: Post immersion response, during and after rescue Risk of a collapse in blood pressure and consequential fainting or cardiac problems.


» Yachtmaster Exam prep week (strongly recommended)


Those of us carrying extra weight will be able to survive for longer periods of cold water immersion because of our


www.rya.org.uk


» RYA Yachtmaster Coastal Certificate of Competence All other pre-requisite training and yacht sea time for eligibility for the OOW exam remains unchanged and is detailed in MSN 1858.


OOW is as follows: » RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased course completion certificate


generous layer of subcutaneous fat. However overweight people won’t have protection against the initial response to cold shock because the skin receptors are exterior to subcutaneous fat.


Thinner people may be less likely to have a serious response to cold shock because it is probable that they will be fitter.


Minimum 400 miles seatime and theory knowledge to the standard of the Day Skipper shorebased course or above


The UK National Immersion Incident Survey data from 1991 to 2009 confirms that proportionally more heavily built people died from cold water immersion than those of thinner and medium build.


RYA Coastal Skipper/


Yachtmaster Offshore shorebased course


Are women more likely to survive longer than men?


RYA Coastal Skipper practical course


5 day course 40 hour course + assessment


The average female has about ten per cent more body fat than the average male and fat is a good insulator, so females should cool more slowly than males. But this is only half the story. A female of the same build as a male will generally cool more quickly than the male because females have a higher ratio of surface area to mass than males and less of a shivering response. So women will lose heat more quickly.


RYA Yachtmaster exam prep week


Optional but strongly


Children of either sex, cool much more quickly as they have a large ratio of surface area to body mass, as well as generally having less body fat.


recommended. Training tailored to your experience


Examination for RYA Yachtmaster Coastal


So how can we help ourselves? Certificate of Competence


In May or June when the water is still cold, re-enter the water cautiously, to get used to it again. That way you can build up the resistance that you will have lost over the winter.


See www.rya.org.uk for exam pre-requisites


The lesson to learn here is to keep fit and don’t forget that your lifejacket is useless unless you wear it.


Complete any time prior to applying for Notice of Eligibility. See MSN 1858 for full details


Apply to MCA for Notice of Eligibility for OOW exam


Complete all MCA pre-requisite courses and sea time for OOW


We can supply any and all safety equipment required by the charter code of practice including Solas B pack liferafts for hire by the season or year


Send for our free info pack and depot list or call


0800 243673


www.liferafts.com info@liferafts.com Fax: 01621 785924


Liferaft, Dinghy & Lifejacket Servicing


Liferaft House Burnham Business Park Burnham on Crouch


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www.rya.org.uk 9 | 15


Must include significant boat handling experience


This is not designed to replace the existing and preferred route to OOW, but will provide an opportunity for crew with no small yacht experience to progress to OOW, albeit at a slower pace. Candidates meeting the MCA requirements above will be able to apply for a ‘Notice of Eligibility’ for the OOW exam. A formal notice will be issued by the MCA in the coming months to outline the full process.


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