Fishing First Aid & Safety Training (FFAST)
Photo: Trav Williams
commercial fishing is a challenging - and rewarding - occupation
The risk of injury is always present, and the U.S. Coast Guard has specific requirements of Commercial Fishing Vessels for fishers to be trained and certified in First Aid, CPR and AED.
The Fishing First Aid and Safety Training (FFAST) Course combines a day of HSI Basic First Aid and CPR/AED training with a day of boat-based scenarios and additional skills specifically designed for commercial fishermen, and customizes existing wilderness first aid training to better prepare fishermen to prevent and treat injuries commonly encountered at sea.
The training considers small crews, common injuries, vessel environments, cold water, rough seas and delayed emergency response times. It includes additional topics that are of specific interest to people who work and/or recreate on the water. It addresses information relevant to the types of illnesses & injuries that are more common in marine environments, and is applicable to situations that might arise on the water.
free, 2-day training
FFAST is structured as a condensed, 2-day course so that working captains & crew can get back to fishing safely, (F)FAST! Full vessel crews are encouraged to attend together. Students will earn HSI Basic First Aid, CPR & AED certification (valid for 2 years) and a USCG course approval certificate upon successful completion of this course.
An example of the 2-day training includes:
| Topics | Practice Skills |
| First Aid Roles, Responsibilities & Priorities and Introduction to Legal Concepts | Group introductions |
| Scene Assessment | Securing the scene, immediate life-threatening injuries, hailing USCG, medical history |
| Trauma: Wounds, Bleeding, Burns, & Shock | Direct pressure, tourniquets, wound irrigation & debridement, sterile dressings, shock position |
| Orthopedic: Sprains, Fractures, Overuse Injuries | Splints, slings, hazard assessment, ergonomics |
| Cardiac and Respiratory Issues | CPR, rescue breaths, AED, Epi pens, NarCan, relief of choking |
| Neurological Injuries, Head & Spinal Injuries | Assessing for stroke, diabetic shock, seizures, concussion, altered mental status, skull fracture dressing |
| Abdominal Injuries & Illnesses | Symptom recognition and treatment of internal bleeding, poisoning, open abdominal injuries |
| Heat & Cold Emergencies | Recognition, prevention & treatment of hypothermia & heat stroke |
| Topics | Practice Skills |
| Environmental Injuries | Prevention & treatment of trench foot, frostbite, dehydration |
| Drowning | "Throw - Row - Go", symptom recognition |
| Patient Packages & Carries | Emergency scenarios, spine stability |
| SKILLS PRACTICE | Run emergency scenarios on board a (docked) fishing vessel |
| Review & Paperwork | Jeopardy game, Q&A, issue certifications |
Free, 3-Day+ Training
CA Sea Grant has partnered with the Alaska Marine Safety Training Association (AMSEA) to provide both FFAST + AMSEA Drill Instructor trainings free of charge to our California commercial fishing fleets when possible. If offered, we recommend that students take both courses consecutively in order to maximize the knowledge gained and skills practiced for overall best implementation of safety at sea.
The AMSEA course meets the US Coast Guard training requirements for Drill Instructors on commercial fishing vessels, 46 CFR 28.270(c).
interested?
CA Sea Grant is gauging interest from regions across California to provide FFAST as well as the California Commercial Fishing Apprenticeship Program to your fleet. Email seacareers@ucsd.edu for more information and to let us know if you're interested in any of these opportunities, and we look forward to working with you to find the best times for your region's fishing season.