Competency Training Day - 28 October 2023
Chris Tattersall
Our annual competency training day is coming this Saturday 28 October, commencing 0930. Attendance is expected for all members on the volunteer roster, and strongly encouraged for anyone who may be providing ancillary on-water support (e.g., coaches or parents from outside DBSC who are involved in club race days).
This is an annual activity which we regard as a core part of safe and efficient club management and culture. All members are expected and, given the significant growth we've experienced as a club, as well as the residual rustiness some of us still have from the COVID disruptions, it is important that we refresh and develop our skills and knowledge for the new season.
The 3 sessions are:
How to run a race. Andrew Cox, our ex-commodore, will share his experience in planning and managing race days, running briefing and managing sign-on, setting a course, running safe and efficient races in a range of conditions, and knowing when to cancel racing. Pre-reading: https://www.dbsc.com.au/pro-cotd, with further links on https://www.dbsc.com.au/pro and https://www.dbsc.com.au/cotd . Also review the DBSC Sailing Instructions https://www.dbsc.com.au/sailing-instructions
How to use the RIBs and other equipment safely. Pat Levy will run through the many tips and tricks to maintain our equipment and avoid accident and injury- radio operation, RIB operation, davit operation, how not to lose anchors on the harbour floor. Viewing the training videos first is vital- there's way too much to remember otherwise, and the session can then focus on the little things that change between video updates: https://www.dbsc.com.au/training-videos
Incident management and on-water first aid. David Murphy will run a session which covers planning for safety, personal protection, on-water rescue and ambulance liaison, and some basic first aid including use of the club defibrillator. As many of us have seen on big days, racing can change from enjoyment to significant risk quite quickly, and we all have a responsibility to look out for each other. Pre-reading: https://www.dbsc.com.au/safety and https://www.dbsc.com.au/emergency-rescue
See you all on Saturday, be there for a prompt start at 930, we will aim to wrap up around 11 so there will be plenty of time for a chat/ coffee/ toastie/ expert course-setting and even some boat-work before the afternoon's racing :).
- David Murphy - Safety and Training
