Training activities and procedures (SOP linked to Risk assessments)

Activity Lead
All activities covered by this document will be under the supervision of the relevant Activity Lead (AC). This would be SI, PBI, RC as applicable in RYA Guidance 

Sailing Area and Hazards

Both main and small lakes can be used for training, the plan of the lake shows potential hazards. The lake to be used for a particular session will be decided by the Activity LeadGeneral Instructor responsibility and water safety (SOP 1, 2, 6)

• Activity Leads must assess conditions and weather forecast and discuss with instructors recording any deviations from the SOP or course plan. 
• Instructors must recognise the risk caused by prevailing weather conditions and mitigate the risk by using appropriate equipment and teaching methods. Input from the Principal, CI or Activity Lead should be sought.
• RYA instructors are responsible for students. 
• RYA teaching principles, guidelines and syllabus must be followed. Student/instructor ratios should be observed. 
• Instructors shall be trained in accordance with RYA requirements and have appropriate in date certification.
• Instructors must have due regard for manual handling e.g., of rig components, ropes & sheets, and mitigate risks. Consider trapping of participants’ hands, feet etc. and undertake dynamic risk assessments, as necessary.
• All must comply with club rules, instructions, and policies.
• Students should be taught how to signal for assistance during the early phase of a course.

Clothing: 

• The Activity Lead must ensure in conjunction with instructors that all participants, instructors, and safety crew have correctly fitting buoyancy aids. 
• Safety crew should be dressed for entering the water. 
• The Activity Lead should ensure that all participants are advised before the course about suitable gear, footwear, and clothing appropriate to the syllabus being delivered. 
• All participants should be informed that helmets are available if required/desired.
• Candidates in unsuitable clothing should not be allowed afloat.

Safety. 

• On water RYA training activity must have safety cover in line with the current RYA recommendations and club policies 
• Any injuries or near misses must be assessed and treated in line with current First Aid training and RYA and Club protocols (SOP 3)
• Ensure breakages are reported to the Activity Lead or Bosun and ‘quarantine’ labels are tied to damaged equipment and noted on relevant white board.
• Anyone with additional needs should be risk assessed by the most senior instructor/coach present and appropriate adaptations techniques used regarding tuition, communication and assistance offered/discussed and provided (where reasonable)

Sailing Tuition (SOP 9)

• The RYA method will be used for all relevant RYA courses.
• Activity Leads will conduct a training and safety briefing before starting a training session.
• To promote confidence and impart appropriate skills consider teaching the principles of capsizing as early as feasible in the course. 
• Reefing should be considered, along with selection of suitable craft and sail size for conditions and participants.

Windsurfing (additional considerations) (SOP 2 & 10)

• Windsurfing Rigs & boards should be secured when not in use, where possible with the rig attached to a board, or in the cage.
• Teach correct RYA method to raise windsurf sail and set off to reduce risk of back injury, use appropriately sized sail for student.
• Instructor/ experienced helper to rig sails on first session.
• Ensure simulator is carried correctly, set up on suitable surface, and only used when supervised by a WAI/WI. Check tension device and straps. A rope should be used on the front to control movement.

HANSA (additional considerations)

The HANSA boats are to be used in accordance with the RYA Centre HANSA SOP 

Sailor Hoist (SOP 11)

Sailor hoists must only be used by appropriately trained adults.

Capsize and entrapment risks. 

• Mast floats are to be used for all RYA Dinghy instruction except Club Race and higher where use is optional. 
• Use of trapeze must follow the NCSC RYA Centre Trapeze SOP 
• Trapezing: quick-release harnesses (only) to be available for use.

Lifting and handling

• All those involved should follow the NCSC Safety Policy and Appendix on lifting and handling. 
• The instructor should consider the appropriate number of people needed for launching and recovering, especially for the larger trolley launched boats and RigiFlex. 
• RIBS, Pioner and Committee boats should be launched using appropriate methods by the bosun or his team, usually by use of a tractor or other vehicle.

Health, Safety and First Aid (SOP 3 & 8)

• Near misses and accidents must be reported on accident/incident forms in accordance with the club safety policy.
• All safety boats must be crewed with at least one first aider with an appropriate and valid First Aid qualification.
• All use of First Aid equipment must be recorded on an incident form and such use reported to the person responsible for restocking of single use equipment.
• The CI/Activity Lead will, with the student’s consent, communicate any relevant medical information as appropriate to safety cover and the relevant instructor(s).
• In the event of a Major Incident the RYA must be informed in line with the RYA reporting policy and Major Incident Plan – TG 14-15.
• 

Contaminants on Craft (SOP 4)

• If Blue Green Algae or other contaminated water is known to be present the course must be run in accordance with current NCSC policy and in line with current RYA guidance.
• Craft should be cleaned of any contaminants prior to the course commencement.
• All participants should be advised regarding regular handwashing and before the ingestion of drinks or food.

Clubhouse, Training Room, and Hub use 

Hot and cold drinks must be available.

Participants need to be informed of arrangements regarding food in advance of the course.

Slipway and shore

• At the initial briefing warn of the dangers of slippery slipways and shore.
• Minimise shoreline hazards by removing trolleys and equipment to the bank. 
• On-shore catchers should be available where appropriate.

Safeguarding (SOP 7)

• All must follow the current NCSC Safeguarding policy.
• All over 16s involved in the instruction of children and vulnerable adults must undertake the RYA Safe and Fun course.
• All instructors and helpers must comply with the RYA Code of Conduct.

On shore instruction (SOP 8)

• When instructing onshore, the Instructor must take appropriate actions including positioning of participants and use of equipment to minimise hazards. 
• On First Aid courses, one CPR mannequin must be used per person. This will be cleaned, and “lungs” replaced between sessions by the First Aid instructing team.

Power Craft (SOP 10)

• Kill cords must be correctly used in line with RYA guidance.
• Double kill-cords must be used with drivers aged under 12. 
• Each powerboat must be checked to ensure that the towing line, bridle, fire extinguisher, spare kill cord, tool kit, first aid kit, knife and paddle are in place.
• No on-water activity should take place without appropriate on-water safety cover. RYA safety boat ratios must be followed, and boats crewed in accordance with club policy.
• All power craft drivers must always be aware of the propeller position and rotation regarding persons in the water. On contact with any person in the water the engine should be turned off if it is safe to do so.
• Only appropriately qualified drivers may use the powerboats. On an RYA sailing courses all drivers must hold an RYA Powerboat 2 certificate and club safety duty qualification 
• An appropriately crewed safety boat must be on the water and ready for use when sailing or windsurfing students are on the water.
• All appropriately crewed craft are safety craft, their secondary purpose is teaching / coaching, and all users should always keep a lookout for danger. 
• All craft have a duty to keep watch. 
• A training boat that is also a safety boat for a group cannot be counted against the overall safety boat ratio i.e., their prime responsibility is to the group they are teaching and cannot provide designated cover for another group (in line with RYA policy). This boat though is the prime safety cover for their group and must be appropriately crewed.
• On larger courses, particularly those involving children, an observer, and helpers onshore in radio contact is advisable.
• Radios should be carried by the Activity Lead, Shore team, all instructor teams, and all safety boats. They should be on a predefined channel determined at the pre-course briefing – normally channel 37A (on some radios this is designated as 1037 or M1) The Activity Lead may request a switch to another channel (e.g., P4). Radio checks should be undertaken at the start of the session or if channels or radios are changed.
• All refueling must take place immediately outside of the fuel store with a fire extinguisher outside the store before starting. A trolley may be used as necessary for moving fuel. (SOP 2). No naked flames should be used in the vicinity of the fuel store or fuel.