Surviving the course!

Being a reasonably new starter to this wonderful activity of sailing, I have decided that I will do as many training courses as I can in order to build my confidence and knowledge.

So to date, I have done RYA training such as Day Skipper, VHF radio communications, navigation and pilotage, etc. But on Friday, I booked in to do the RYA Sea Survival course and I have to say, I was more than a little anxious. Various of our friends who have done either this course or similar, had me convinced it was hard work and somewhat terrifying. So when I showed up at the School's reception, it was with trepidation.

That was until I discovered I was the only woman in the class with 12 Fire & Rescue Service men doing the training for joint operations in the Solent. How fortuitous for me! Needless to say I had fun. Yes, it was hard work and I well and truly pulled my own weight throughout the day, but there was plenty of laughter and joking. Getting into a life raft in deep water is a very difficult, undignified and a rather intimate act. One launches head first into the raft slipping and sliding like a seal only to find one's head firmly planted in a stranger's crouch!! But, maintain dignity at all costs, right!

I passed the assessments with flying colours and integrity in tact. But I do have bruises galore and chaffing in places where its just not right.

Atleast I now know how to hopefully survive at sea with 12 Fire & Rescue men!