DETAILED ADVENTURE SKILLS STAGES REQUIREMENTS
| Stage 1 | I can assist in the launching of a small punt. |
| I know about the buddy system | |
| I know the importance of a Personal Flotation Device. | |
| I know the correct clothing to wear when going afloat | |
| I can row a small punt | |
| I can point out the bow, stern, transom, port and starboard of a boat. | |
| I know how to contact the emergency services. | |
| I know why it is important to stay with a capsized boat | |
| I know why I should follow directions from my instructor | |
| I know not go afloat if the wind is greater than Force 4 | |
| I can show the limits of where I may go each time I go afloat | |
| I have taken part in two half-day exercises afloat | |
| Stage 2 | I can assist in the launch and recovery of a small punt. |
| I can explain impact on local vegetation launching & retrieving a punt. | |
| I have discussed “Weil’s disease” and the precautions needed. | |
| I can put on my own PFD and adjust it properly | |
| I know why I should wear suitable footwear. | |
| I can make a recognised distress signal. | |
| I know how to raise the alarm if I see somebody in difficulty. | |
| I know what hypothermia is. | |
| I know that I should keep clear of channels and fairways. | |
| I can get a weather forecast | |
| I can tie the round-turn-and two-half-hitches, figure of eight, Bowline | |
| I have taken part in four half-day exercises afloat | |
| Stage 3 | I can take a leading part in the launch & recovery of a small rowing punt. |
| I know why wearing layers of clothing is a good idea. | |
| I can embark, manoeuvre and disembark from a rowing punt safely. | |
| I can point out the main parts of a boat. | |
| I can use a small anchor from a punt | |
| I can get into the water from a punt in a safe way. | |
| I can help to right a capsized rowing punt. | |
| I know how to do CPR and place the casualty in the recovery position. | |
| I know that I should follow the instructions of the person in charge of the boat. | |
| I understand the terms used in a maritime weather forecast. | |
| I have taken part in three full day exercises afloat | |
| Stage 4 | I can assist in the launch and recovery of a rowing boat. |
| I know the main principles of “Leave No Trace”. | |
| I know that there are different types of PFD & know their uses. | |
| I can explain why wearing the correct outerwear is important. | |
| I can demonstrate how to manoeuvres a rowing boat as a member of the crew. | |
| I can pick up a mooring from a punt. | |
| I can help another person safely into a punt from the water. | |
| I can coil a line and heave it to a casualty to affect a simulated rescue. | |
| I know the safety precautions required for water based activities. | |
| I know the Beaufort wind scale up to Force 6. | |
| I can describe how often high and low tides take place, and their implications. | |
| I know that where I may go boating may change in different conditions. | |
| I have taken part in six full-day exercises afloat. | |
| Stage 5 | I know the standard rowing commands & can use them to helm a rowing boat on a straight course. |
| I can take a leading role in mooring and unmooring a rowing boat. | |
| I can assist in the anchoring of a rowing boat. | |
| I can identify and name the main parts of common anchor types. | |
| I know why it is important to have First Aid training & can show how to care for someone who is very cold. | |
| I know the parts of the Prevention of Collisions Regulations which apply to my boat and local boating waters. | |
| I can obtain a weather forecast and know how the information might affect planned activities afloat. | |
| I know how currents and the ebb and flow of the tide affect my local boating waters. | |
| I know how to use Channel 16 on marine VHF and have an understanding of the use of distress flares. | |
| I have taken part in six full-day exercises afloat. | |
| I have taken part in one expedition afloat | |
| Stage 6 | I can take a leading part in the launch & recovery of a rowing boat. |
| I can carry out the routine inspection of a PFD. | |
| I can take the helm of a rowing boat & carry out the required manoeuvres incl steering with a compass. | |
| I can take a leading part in anchoring a rowing boat including knowing how & when to use a tripping line. | |
| I have taken part in Man-Over-Board exercises. | |
| I know what causes tides & how spring & neap tides might affect sailors. | |
| I can recognise the main weather patterns illustrated by a synoptic chart & can interpret the forecast. | |
| I can identify common weather conditions & describe how they may affect boating activities. | |
| I am familiar with the main features of restricted waters as defined for my group. | |
| I know how & when to make distress & urgency calls & ‘Safety Announcements’ on Marine VHF. | |
| I have taken part in eight full-day exercises afloat. | |
| I have taken part in one expedition afloat | |
| I have instructed at least four people in four of the areas up to Stage 3. | |
| Stage 7 | I can take a leading part in the manual handling of a rowing boat ashore ensuring safe handling procedures. |
| I can take a leading part in preparing a rowing boat for safe transportation by road. | |
| I know under which circumstances different PFD are appropriate. | |
| I can take charge of a rowing boat & carry out the required manoeuvres, including towing, to a high standard. | |
| I can take a leading part in selecting a good anchorage. | |
| I can take charge of a boat & respond efficiently to a (simulated) emergency. | |
| I know what lights should be shown by the most common vessels in my area. | |
| I know the International regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea. | |
| I can interpret the current forecast & make sound decisions on planned activities. | |
| I know the hazards & how the weather may affect “Restricted Waters” for my group. | |
| I know how to get suitable information for “Safe Enclosed” boating waters (e.g. For camp). | |
| I can assist in developing a passage plan for a day trip. | |
| I know how to read & set a chart, plot & estimate positions. | |
| I have a working knowledge of GMDSS as it applies to EPIRBs & DSC. | |
| I have taken part in ten full-day exercises afloat. | |
| I have taken part in one overnight expedition afloat outside my normal boating waters. | |
| I have instructed at least four people in at least six of the areas up to Stage 5. | |
| Stage 8 | I can take a leading part in organising the off-season storage of rowing boats. |
| I understand the different safety precautions that must be taken when a group of boats is operating together. | |
| I have a good understanding of the merits of different anchor types for different locations & conditions. | |
| I know what sound signals the most common types of vessel in my area should make. | |
| I have researched at least five pieces of weather lore. | |
| I am familiar with ‘Day Cruising Waters’ for my group. | |
| I can use the information from a charts etc., to plan an expedition in restricted waters. | |
| I have an understanding of the ‘capture effect’ as it applies to marine VHF. | |
| I have taken part in ten full-day exercises afloat. | |
| I have taken part in one overnight expedition involving more than one boat. | |
| I have instructed at least four people in at least seven of the areas up to Stage 7. | |
| Stage 9 | I can anchor a boat efficiently to two anchors. |
| I can improvise & deploy a sea-anchor & know what spares & tools should be carried aboard. | |
| I have completed the requirement for the Emergencies Skills Stage 7. | |
| I know how to interact with the emergency services. | |
| I can identify the type aspect & behaviour of vessels by day or night from lights, shapes & sounds. | |
| I know the procedure for entry to & departure from a harbour & understand the requirement to file a passage plan under SOLAS regulations. | |
| I can complete a rough synoptic chart from a maritime weather forecast or similar data & use this information to make sound decisions on planned activities in view of expected weather & sea conditions. | |
| I am familiar with any local rules & bylaws that apply to Day Cruising Waters for my group. | |
| I can devise a pilot/passage plan & programme that plan into a GPS. | |
| I have taken part in ten full-day exercises afloat. | |
| I have taken part in an overnight expedition in coastal waters. | |
| I have instructed at least four people in at least five of the areas up to Stage 8. |