Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome to the course

  • 2

    1. All about tides

    • Introduction to tides

    • 1. What causes tides

    • 2. Tide tables

    • 3. Tidal movements

    • 4. The rule of 12s

    • Tide quiz
  • 3

    2. All about weather

    • Introduction to weather

    • 1. Pressure

    • 2. Fronts

    • 3. Terminology

    • Weather Quiz

  • 4

    3. Rips

    • Introduction to rips

    • 1. What causes a rip current

    • 2. How to spot a rip current

    • 3. Parts of a rip current

    • 4. Types of rip

    • 5. What to do if caught in a rip

    • 6. RNLI "Floating is better than swimming"

    • Rips Quiz

  • 5

    4. Equipment & Safety

    • Introduction to equipment & safety

    • 1. Personal equipment

    • 2. Wetsuits

    • 3. How to put on and take off a swim wetsuit

    • 4. Pre swim preparation and acclimatisation

    • 5. Communication

    • 6. What three words

    • 7. Hazards

    • 8. What if in difficulty

    • 9. RNLI Floating is better than swimming

    • Equipment & Safety Quiz

  • 6

    Congratulations!

    • Copy of Congratulations, you have completed the course, what next?

    • End of course eveluation

  • 7

    Bonus material

    • Professor Mike Tipton - Acclimatisation to cold water

    • Professor Mike Tipton - The physiology of cold habituation

    • Professor Mike Tipton - advice on rewarming

    • Professor Mike Tipton -When to get out

    • Professor Mike Tipton - Why cold water immersion makes you feel good

    • Understand Magic Seaweed for swimmers

    • Colleen Blair (MBE) - Marathon Swimming Webinar 12/3/21

    • GER KENNEDY & JAIMIE MONAHAN - ICE SWIMMING

    • How to approach a panicking swimmer

    • Dealing with a panicking swimmer - hand block

    • Dealing with a panicking swimmer - foot block

    • Professor Mike Tipton live webinar with Norma and Steve on the 7th Jan 2022

      FREE PREVIEW

    • Colin Speedy - interaction with marine animals

    • Colleen Blair MBE - Marathon Swimming

    • Dr Susanna Soeberg - Hot and Cold contrasting physiology

    • Extreme North Channel Swim - Ger Kennedy

    • Colleen Blair MBE - RDA Scottish Swimming - reflexions on epic swims

    • Interview with Keri-Anne Payne, world 10k recording holder and olympic swimmer

Instructor(s)

Norma MacLeod

Background in competitive swimming, triathlon and long-distance open water events. STA Open Water Coach, RLSS Open Water Lifeguard, RYA Powerboat handler and WSA SUP rescue qualified. Changed careers from NHS specialist nurse to running Immerse Hebrides in the Outer Hebrides, who offer swimming holidays, guided swim tours, coaching and this year online training for swimmers with H2O Training.

Stephen Bowens

Hi, I have been working in the outdoor industry for over 27 years now as an instructor, trainer, inspector and technical advisor. In recent years I have found a love of challenges and expeditions including rowing across the Atlantic ocean, and several paddle expeditions. I am a lecturer in Marine Sports Science & Surf Science at Newquay College. I have been a Surf Lifeguard Trainer/Assessor for over15 years. I love a wide range of watersports and find paddleboarding especially fun due to its diversity. I find real enjoyment in introducing people to this wonderful activity and being able to go and explore the coast with people who would otherwise not be able to access these locations.