Getaway Sailing launches new Marine first aid course

by Tiffany Watson on 9 Apr 2002 In April 2002, Getaway Sailing Adventures (GSA) will launch a new Marine
first aid course. Developed in conjunction with the Red Cross, the course
addresses some of the specific first aid emergencies that can arise on the
water, and how to overcome complications of administering first aid at sea.

The most common complaints seen on the water by GSA include seasickness,
dehydration and hypothermia. While standard first aid courses briefly
cover these complications, the GSA course focuses in-depth on these and
other complaints often experienced on the water. Importantly, the course
instructs on how to treat patients for extended periods without external
assistance.

The course is based on The Red Cross's Level 2 Senior First Aid
certificate. Its classified as a Level 2 qualification and is recognised
by The Australian Red Cross, Work Place Authority and vocational training
and education accreditation boards. The course content is structured
around the Senior First Aid modules, with three additional marine focused
modules. Specific subjects include: an introduction to first aid,
cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, controlling bleeding and bandaging wounds,
handling emergencies from lack of oxygen, assisting patients suffering from

extremes of heat and cold, musculoskeletal injuries, poisons &
envenomation,
managing emergency situations, pain management, manual handling of
evacuation at sea, protocols for air extraction and critical incident
stress.

All modules are delivered by qualified Red Cross instructors at GSA's
Drummoyne-based office and classrooms. Alternatively, GSA will also
arrange to bring their instructors to you, if you have ten students or
more. There are no prerequisites to participate. Participants are
assessed continuously throughout the course on practical and theoretical
applications of first aid, and must pass a final examination. On
successfully passing the examination, students will receive an accredited
marine endorsed Senior First Aid certificate from the Australian Red Cross,
valid for three years.

The cost of the course is $195 + 10% GST, which includes a Red Cross first
aid manual, bandage package, examination and certification fees. Classes
are conducted on a monthly basis over three weeknight evenings, from
6:00-9:00pm. The April course is already fully booked and dates for the
next
course are: May 28, May 30 and June 4.

Book online at GSA's new website or call direct on 02 9181 1911.

'In response to this course, we're receiving high interest from skippers
who are keen to get their crew qualified in first aid for offshore racing.
More than half our first course has been booked out by the crew of
Team Shockwave,' said Ty Oxley, Principal of GSA.


Background: About Getaway Sailing Adventures

Getaway Sailing Adventures is a Sydney-based sailing and adventure school
that specialises in making the sailing dreams of non-sailors and novices
come true. Getaway offers a great mix of experienced instructors, an
excellent fleet of yachts and a solid reputation in the marine industry.
Between them, our instructors have sailed and cruised more than 50,000
offshore miles, including successfully finishing the last five Sydney to
Hobart yacht races. Our classroom and offices are co-located on the
waterfront at Birkenhead Point Marina, Drummoyne, offering an excellent
environment in which to learn everything about sailing and boat handling.
In the past six years we've expanded our business beyond sailing
instruction and now organise events, race training, safety courses, radio
operators courses, and corporate team building charters.


Getaway Sailing Adventures offers more than just sailing. We open the door
to a new sport which you can spend your whole life appreciating, and offer
an introduction to an expanded circle of friends with whom to enjoy it.


For additional information, please contact:

Ty Oxley Principal, Getaway Sailing Adventures Ph: 02 9181 1911 or 0412 470
405 (a/h)

Andrew Lygo Director, Getaway Sailing Adventures Ph: 02 9181 1911