Introduction to Personal Survival Training


Introduction

BC Sailing’s Safety at Sea program offers personal survival training for racers and cruisers who are participating in coastal and offshore events and passages. Courses are delivered by Sail Canada accredited instructors in conjunction with local clubs and facilities. We use a mix of classroom, hands-on practical, indoor-outdoor, and in-the-water practical sessions.

Our mission is to enable sailors to prevent or mitigate emergencies and save lives.

Sailors, including both racers and cruisers, take personal survival training to help prepare themselves and their boats for significant events and passages. This type of training also goes by other names including Safety at Sea, Offshore Safety, Sea Survival, and variations.

Coastal and offshore personal survival training courses are offered for sailors in Canada and other countries including Australia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United States.

World Sailing specifies personal survival training requirements in section 6 of the Offshore Special Regulations, and outlines an offshore personal survival training model course in Appendix G of those regulations.

“World Sailing Approved” courses are established by World Sailing Member National Authorities (MNAs) and conform to World Sailing standards. In Canada, this responsibility rests with Sail Canada’s Offshore Group. Certificates for World Sailing Approved courses are intended to be portable for events in countries around the world.