Advice and information Sail & Motor Cruising


Survival of the fi ttest R


Changes to revalidating STCW endorsements


ecent amendments to the International Convention and Code on Standards of Training,


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.


Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW) 1978 come into effect next year. Although the convention is not aimed at small vessels, the STCW endorsement issued on Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence will be affected by this amendment. From 1 January 2017 both the


• 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.


Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting courses will have a five-yearly update period. Approved update courses will be run through the same maritime colleges and schools which deliver the STCW basic safety training. The Elementary First Aid course will continue to have a five-yearly update for validity on a commercial vessel. This requirement to update first aid comes from the regulations governing the operation of vessels for commercial purposes, rather than the STCW amendments. When revalidating a STCW


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.


endorsement, applicants will be required to submit a course completion or update certificate issued within the previous five years for the following courses: » Proficiency in Personal Survival Techniques (STCW A-VI/1-1)


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


» Proficiency in Medical First Aid (STCW A-VI/4-1), or


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.


Are women more likely to survive longer than men?


» Proficiency in Medical Care on Board reference (STCW A-VI/4 –2) The requirement for a suitable medical fitness certificate remains the same. There are no changes to


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.


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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.


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


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


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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.


Discounts apply for RYA members and training centres. If you’re interested in getting


So how can we help ourselves?


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.


started in cruiser racing, either as a Skipper or a member of the crew, then this new book by experienced racer Rob Gibson will guide you through what you need to know. Yacht racing teams have places


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


for people of all levels of skill, fitness, physical ability or disability, and age. Enthusiasm is the most important requirement! This book will enable you to combine keenness with knowledge of the role that each member of the crew performs, how to prepare to go racing, what to look out for when on the water, and how to stay safe.


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.


the current requirements for renewing a standard commercial endorsement, ie. only a valid medical fitness and first aid certificate need to be submitted. Full details of the STCW amendments can be found in MSN 1865.


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» Proficiency in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting ( STCW A-VI/1-2) and one of the STCW medical training courses: » Proficiency in Elementary First Aid (STCW A-VI/1-3), or


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