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 572 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 337 Happy Customers On Google Reviews
Amazing pool experience
Thoroughly recommend this excellent Sea Survival course – loads of information, challenging and fun, culminating in an amazing pool experience. An absolute must for anyone contemplating skippering. You really don’t want an ‘abandon ship’ to be the first time you’ve ever tried climbing into a life raft!
Mingus, UK
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
Course instructor outstanding
Wow - what an experience - so much better than I expected - completely hands on seeing two life rafts inflated one in 'class ' situation at CA house; and then real scenario in local swimming pool nearby. Course instructor outstanding, with wide range of sea going folk who all got equal chance to enter life raft in water fully clothed, swim into upright and upturned craft and experience how to cope. Very supportive really well organised and efficient - even got away a little early to watch the rugby. Everyone had a great experience and I would highly recommend First Class Sailing.
Roy, UK
Verified Customer
Not Sure Where to Start?
Use our guides to determine your level and find suitable courses.
See how internationally recognised RYA courses progress alongside your sailing skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more info? Look no further.
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
You may be interested in...
Whatever your experience, we help you navigate your entire sailing journey. Here's more of what's on offer.
RYA/World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course
> The RYA/ISAF Offshore Safety Course satisfies the training required by RYA/ISAF Offshore Special Regulation 6.01 for category 0, 1 and some category 2 offshore races.
Learn More
RYA VHF Radio Course
This course teaches you how to operate a VHF Radio. You need to take the RYA VHF Radio Course before you can take a VHF Radio Assessment.
Learn More
RYA First Aid Course
First Class Sailing offers the RYA First Aid at Sea Course. Learn emergency marine first aid and ensure your safety on your next sailing experience. Held in London or Southampton.
Learn More