DARTMOUTH KAYAK FIELD GUIDE
Dartmouth Sea Kayak Safety & Rescue Award — practical rescue training where sea skills meet real conditions
A hands-on award course that teaches hazard recognition, self- and assisted-rescues, and equipment-failure management through practical work in sheltered and moderate sea conditions.
Dartmouth Sea Kayak Safety & Rescue Award — practical rescue training where sea skills meet real conditions.
Set from Dartmouth, the Sea Kayak Safety and Rescue Award concentrates on keeping paddlers safe at sea through practical training; participants practise in both sheltered and moderate conditions, learn to identify hazards, perform rescues, and manage equipment failure so they leave with clearer decision-making and greater confidence on open water.
Highlights
Course Highlights
Hands-on rescue techniques
The course focuses on practical rescues — self-rescues, contact and towing rescues, and deep-water procedures — placing technique and repetition at the centre of learning.
Sheltered to moderate sea practice
Training deliberately spans sheltered and moderate conditions so paddlers gain experience recognising hazards and applying rescue methods across realistic sea states.
Equipment, failure response and first aid
Beyond rescues, the award covers dealing with equipment damage or failure, landing and first aid, and reflection with a skills checklist to consolidate learning.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like on the water
The course moves from briefing into progressive, practical sessions: rehearsed self-rescues and partner rescues in sheltered settings, escalation to moderate conditions for towing and deep-water scenarios, then landing, first-aid practice and a reflective skills checklist to close — all designed to make safety responses second nature.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this course suits — and who might want more preparation.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The course meets in Dartmouth.
You are welcome to use operator equipment; Sea Kayak Devon provides sea kayaks, wetsuits and drysuits — check the course details for the full equipment list.
The award covers sources of information and safety frameworks, contact and towing rescues, self-rescues, deep-water rescues, dealing with equipment damage/failure, landing and first aid, plus reflection and a skills checklist.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Who is the Sea Kayak Safety & Rescue Award intended for?
The award is designed for improver paddlers looking to develop their safety skills and understanding on the sea.
What topics and skills does the course cover?
Course content includes sources of information and safety frameworks, contact and towing rescues, self-rescues, deep-water rescues, dealing with equipment damage or failure, landing and first aid, plus reflection and a skills checklist.
Where do we meet for the course?
The meeting location for the course is Dartmouth.
Is equipment provided or do I need to bring my own?
You are welcome to use the operator's equipment; Sea Kayak Devon provides sea kayaks, wetsuits and drysuits. Refer to the course details for the full equipment list.
Do I need prior sea-kayaking experience to take part?
The award is aimed at improver paddlers; it is intended for those who already have some paddling experience and want to develop safety and rescue skills.
Where can I read more about the award?
Further course information is available from the course page: https://paddlesuptraining.com/courses/sea-kayak-safety-and-rescue/