STCW'95

Well, it's been a few weeks since i last made a blog, i was off on STCW'95 courses two weeks back, and then away on a Challenger 72' Class yacht! It was fantastic, i'll tell you all a little about each, starting with the courses.

Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 1995.

Personal Survival Techniques

The PST course is exactly what it says it is. An instructor comes in and teaches yo techniques that will save or prolonge your life when you are in a disaster at sea, focusing on what to do when you are in the water after the ship has sunk.

Initially it focuses on the types of equiptment used, GMDSS and such . . But then i goes on to the 'fun' part - the pool drill.

During the PST you will have to perform several 'manouvers' in the pool, these include things such as flipping an inverted life raft, creating the circle of confidence, performing a two man lift and the best part, jumping from a height . . well - stepping!

After you have completed everything you sit a very brief multiple choice exam and then you have your certificate.

Elementary First Aid was actually pretty boring, long and tedious. I'm not going to say much about it except that it is important. When you are doing it you do see the need for it and how you will probably end up using it at sea.