Sea Survival Course
Starting from: £180
Safe & Secure Checkout
What would you do if you had to board a life-raft at night or in bad weather? This is a one day course held in a classroom and a swimming pool. You will learn about and handle safety equipment. You will learn how to use it in an emergency. An important part of the course is a practical session in a swimming pool where you get to experience first hand the problems of entering an uncooperative liferaft and assisting others whilst fully clothed and with a lifejacket on. Our RYA Sea Survival Course is available in Southampton or London.
- One-day RYA course in either London or Southampton
- Includes a session in the pool
- Learn essential skills for sea survival
Safe & Secure Checkout
Should have done it years ago
I found this a great course and should have done it years ago really. The morning was in the classroom discussing real sailing situations and how to react and cope; some equipment education with flares and safety etc, and then in the afternoon a practical pool session. Actually floating around in a life jacket, clambering in and out of a life raft, witnessing it inflate, helping each other in survival mode was informative and fun, but also brought home the realities of such a situation for real, at sea.
Robin W
Verified Customer
Although emergencies at sea are rare, those with proper sea survival training are more likely to survive. Knowing how to use equipment and aid others significantly boosts your chances.
The RYA Sea Survival Course in Southampton or London is held over one day in a classroom plus swimming pool. You’ll learn essential sea survival training and how to handle the safety equipment. At the end of the sea survival course, you will know how to apply your new knowledge to the types of emergency situations that could occur on the water.
If dates of our RYA Sea Survival courses in London or Southampton and Solent don't work for you, then please get in touch. If there’s sufficient demand, we can hold it at your office or elsewhere in the UK, at a venue nearer to you (we will need access to a nearby pool).
An RYA Sea Survival course book is included in the price and an RYA Sea Survival certificate is given at the end of the course.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
5.0 based on 220 Happy Customers on Google Reviews
More Info on the RYA Sea Survival course
Different locations: For your convenience, the RYA Sea Survival course is offered in both London and Southampton, making it easy to find a location that suits you best. The morning is classroom based, and the afternoon pool based.
Friendly experienced instructors: Learn from the best with our team of friendly and experienced instructors. With a wealth of knowledge and a passion for teaching, our instructors are dedicated to creating a supportive and enjoyable learning environment for students of all skill levels.
RYA Sea Survival certificate: Upon successful completion of the course you will be sent an RYA Sea Survival Certificate.
Key Course Details
Here’s a breakdown of the most important information about the RYA Sea Survival course:
Required Experience
- There are no prerequisites or prior experience needed to take the RYA sea survival course.
Course Duration
- 1 Day, 1/2 classroom, 1/2 pool in London or Southampton. Bespoke venues upon request.
Course Content
- How to use crucial safety equipment and what to do in an emergency.
Skills Gained
- Basic sea survival skills to keep you safe on the water.
Get Started In 3 Easy Steps
We make learning sea survival easy.
Select A Date
Once you’re sure you meet the requirements, look at our upcoming course dates and choose the one that best suits you.
Take The Course
You’ll learn skills required to earn your RYA Sea Survival accreditation.
Become A First Class Sailor
Sail into the sunset with your newfound knowledge and skills!
RYA Sea Survival -
Complete Breakdown
What do you do on a sea survival course?
The course consists of 2 parts.
- A classroom based element. You will learn about crucial safety equipment, flares, life-rafts, distress beacons and lifejackets – their safe use and operation with an opportunity to examine the equipment at close quarters.
- The second part of the course is in the pool. Wearing clothes, you will put on lifejackets and practise boarding a life-raft from the water. A lot of fun and quite revealing just how difficult it would be in extremis. Click on this link to see a video of the course in action!
This course is a prerequisite for a percentage of the crew competing in events such as the Rolex Fastnet Race that takes place every 2 years and the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race.
The RYA Sea Survival can be used towards the commercial endorsement to work in the industry. This applies to the Day Skipper and Yachtmaster qualifications.
Offshore Personal Survival Qualification
The Sea Survival Course is one part of the RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Qualification. Formally known as the RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety Course.
To get the RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Qualification you must do this Sea Survival course and the World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course. The two courses may be taken in any order.
If you have attended the RYA Sea Survival Course within the last five years then you need only attend the RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course.
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 561 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 323 Happy Customers On Google Reviews
Should have done it years ago
I found this a great course and should have done it years ago really. The morning was in the classroom discussing real sailing situations and how to react and cope; some equipment education with flares and safety etc, and then in the afternoon a practical pool session. Actually floating around in a life jacket, clambering in and out of a life raft, witnessing it inflate, helping each other in survival mode was informative and fun, but also brought home the realities of such a situation for real, at sea. Nigel Bryan instructed well with lots of experience to call on and a patient and relaxed teaching style. Plus, being a Cruising Association member got me a discount on the course fee!
Robin W, UK
Verified Customer
Challenging and hilarious at the same time
On a serious note, this essential safety course was very well delivered by our instructor Nigel. It was apparent he had good understanding of sea voyages and is qualified to a senior level in many aspects of sailing.
The course insights for the first/half of the day were interesting and even our most experienced off-shore sailors (who were updating their certificates) learned new info.
The practical skills we acquired in the afternoon session at the pool were challenging and hilarious at the same time - we are all middle-aged and I have not laughed so much for a long time. I cannot say any of us left with much dignity intact, but the event really helped us bond as crew.
We booked our day as a dedicated course for our sailing club members and the training really helped us build trust in one another - crucial for our sailing endeavours and meaningful for our combined networking projects.
A truly well-executed course by First Class Sailing.
Nic E
Verified Customer
Great Instructor
The aptly named First Class Sailing have provided excellent admin and organisation and a great instructor as I update my Sea Survival and First Aid Certificates. These are essential courses for offshore sailors and are valuable refreshers for pro-sailors like myself. Bravo!
Josh
Verified Customer
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Ready to Earn your RYA Sea Survival
Gain essential sea survival skills on this informative course
- Learn in a classroom and swimming pool with other students
- Friendly and knowledgeable instructor
- Sea Survival Classes in Southampton or London
Outstanding RYA courses at excellent location in London
I've done three one-day RYA courses with First Class Sailing at the Cruising Association headquarters in London and all have been outstanding: VHF Radio, Diesel Engine Maintenance and, most recently, Sea Survival. All the instructors had long years of hands-on experience and knew how to communicate it clearly. Each course involved some theory but each was also very practical: we used radios, replaced engine parts and swam under an upturned life raft.
Paul E
Verified Customer
Ready to Earn your RYA Sea Survival
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