Personal Survival Techniques

1. Introduction to Personal Survival at Sea Explains the importance of survival training and common causes of maritime emergencies.

2. Regulatory Framework (STCW Requirements) Reviews international maritime safety conventions and obligations for seafarers.

3. Emergency Situations and Response Identifies types of emergencies such as fire, collision, grounding, and abandonment.

4. Use of Lifejackets and Immersion Suits Provides training on correct donning, use, and maintenance of personal protective equipment.

5. Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Covers launching, boarding, and survival techniques in lifeboats and life rafts.

6. Personal Survival Techniques in Water Teaches swimming, floating, and group survival methods in open water.

7. Emergency Signals and Communication Explains distress signals, use of EPIRBs, SARTs, and handheld radios.

8. First Aid and Hypothermia Prevention Introduces basic first aid, treatment of shock, and prevention of cold‑related injuries.

9. Search and Rescue (SAR) Awareness Provides understanding of SAR operations and how to assist rescuers effectively.

10. Practical Survival Drills Includes hands‑on training in water survival, life raft boarding, and emergency scenarios.

• Builds competency in personal survival at sea

• Enhances compliance with STCW and international maritime safety standards

• Reduces risks of fatalities in maritime emergencies

• Provides practical survival skills for real‑world scenarios

• Offers recognized certification to support maritime career progression

• Seafarers and maritime professionals

• Offshore oil & gas workers

• Port and dock workers

• Maritime trainees preparing for STCW certification

• Contractors and personnel working in marine environments

• Assessment Type: Written exam + practical evaluation

• Format: MCQs, short answers, and survival drills in water and life rafts

• Total Questions: 40 theory + 1 practical assignment

• Passing Score: 70%

• Duration: 60 minutes (written) + 2 hours (practical)

• Certification: Personal Survival Techniques (PST) Certificate

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.