| Level 4 Sea Proficiency Award |
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From Thursday, 11 September 2008
To Thursday, 31 December 2009
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Please Contact us to arrange . Min. Number 4 People.
General aims of the Level 4 Sea Kayaking Proficiency Award
The Level 4 Sea Kayaking Proficiency Award aims to ensure that successful candidates have sufficient skill and knowledge to undertake simple sea journeys with safety under the guidance of other more experienced paddlers.
Course Outline
The course should cover all practical and theoretical elements of the syllabus. The course may take the format of a weekend course or a number of individual days of instruction. Where candidates have the necessary previous experience they may be assessed on the second day of a weekend course. Attendance at a course is strongly recommended before a candidate presents for assessment. While attendance at a course is normally necessary. Exemptions to that rule are accepted based on the candidate's presentation of an extensive range of logged sea trips. Before assessment the candidates must present their logged trips. (See details of qualifying trips in Guidelines)
Requirements for the Level 4 Sea Kayaking Proficiency Award
To obtain the Level 4 Sea Kayaking Proficiency Award a participant must successfully explain and/or demonstrate the following techniques and skills. It is recommended that the practical skills and rescues are assessed in sea state 2-3 and not, if possible, within harbours.
* 3.01 an ability to control a kayak in following and beam seas.
* 3.02 an ability to deal with breaking waves.
* 3.03 efficient forward and backward paddling, turning into and away from the wind (360 degrees in both directions).
* 3.04 an ability to perform an Eskimo Rescue (Paddle Presentation).
* 3.05 an ability to perform the following:
Draw Stroke
Low Brace Support.
Stern Rudder
Sculling Draw
Low Brace Turn
* 3.06 an effective X Rescue of a capsized kayak.
* 3.07 effective method of towing another kayak. An assessment candidate should be familiar with the Fan and Tandem Tow. The Towing System must be accessible and have a quick release mechanism.
* 3.08 Transits. Transits are very important in Sea Kayaking. The candidates should be able to explain and demonstrate the use of transits up ahead, laterally and behind.
* 3.09 an ability to follow a compass bearing.
* 3.10 a basic knowledge of First Aid, to include the symptoms and treatment of exposure and an awareness of the technique of artificial resuscitation.
* 3.11 an introductory knowledge of the coastal environment.
Theory
The candidate should demonstrate a basic knowledge of the following:
* 3.12 Tidal Streams, causes and effects and how to predict them.
* 3.13 Weather Forecasting, obtaining and understanding forecasts.
* 3.14 Sea Kayaks, equipment and clothing.
* 3.15 Sea Kayaking Camping Procedures.
* 3.16 Sea Kayaking Safety Procedures.
* 3.17 Sea Charts.
* 3.18 The effects of wind on sea conditions.
Assessment for the Level 4 Sea Kayaking Proficiency Award
* 4.01 Normally assessment will be scheduled between May and September, subject to weather conditions being suitable.
* 4.02 On the day of an assessment there will be a short written assessment followed by a sea trip.
* 4.03 The assessment trip will be of 3-4 hours duration and will include a lunch break. The practical skills taught on the Level 4 Sea Proficiency course will be assessed on this trip.
* 4.04 The assessment must be taken at sea under moderate conditions (wind or sea state 2/4)
* 4.05 Before setting off on the trip the candidate will be required to produce a route summary for the day based on information gleaned from the chart, tide tables, pilot and weather forecast.
* 4.06 using waterproof bag(s) each candidate must pack the following in their kayak:
Packed lunch
Flask
Spare clothing
First Aid Kit
Repair Kit
Emergency food/drink
Bivvy Bag
Flares(one red parachute flare and one red pinpoint flare)
Spare paddles (can be shared between candidates)
Charts (or copies)
Tow and Deck Lines
Torch
Watch
Compass
Bailer/Sponge
Whistle
* 4.07 while a candidate will not fail by not having the following items it is very strongly recommended that the candidate should seek to make them part of their personal sea kayaking equipment as soon as possible. Flares should be available for purchase at assessments and courses.
Repair Kit
Spare paddles
Flares (one red parachute flare and one red pinpoint flare)
* 4.08 All equipment must be packed and should be readily accessible. Equipment must remain secure during rescues and spare clothing should be dry at the end of the day. The candidate must be fully conversant with the use of all equipment carried.
Level 4 Sea Proficiency Award Guidelines
Guidelines for Qualifying Trips
On the sea trips which the candidate undertakes under the supervision of a recognised/qualified leader, no unnecessary risks should be taken and all the necessary planning and preparations should be seen to have been taken. It is recommended that the candidates seek to gain his/her experience in a measured way and not attempt trips they haven't the experience for.
Qualifying trips must be completed under the supervision of a competent leader who will verify details. Details of four qualifying sea trips must be submitted along with an application for assessment. At least one of the qualifying sea trips must be on the Atlantic coastline. The candidate must show active participation in navigation and planning of trips. Qualifying trips should of at least three hours paddling duration and should include a lunch stop |
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