- Valid for 5 years
- Meets knowledge, understanding, and proficiency (KUP) standards
- Education tailored for those heading to sea
- A must-have qualification for commercial shipping careers
Russell Duff oversees safety, training, and business growth at MRS Training and Rescue's Southampton centre. A former Royal Navy Officer, he brings a wealth of maritime and leadership experience to the MRS team.
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Stuart Jackson is an expert mine manager with over 40 years’ experience in mining operations, safety management, and project leadership. He specialises in improving safety practices and operational efficiency in complex projects.
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Karl joined MRS Training and Rescue in 2015. Passionate about health and safety, he began as an associate rescuer, providing industrial rescue at a power station. Now a full-time rescue and trainer operative, Karl specialises in confined spaces and high-risk environments, trains the HART team, and maintains essential rescue equipment.
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Lindsey Speirs specialises in confined space training and Mental Health First Aid. Drawing on her background in mental health, challenging behaviour, and eight years of palliative care experience, Lindsey brings a unique combination of compassion and expertise to her role.
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Andy Watson has over 15 years’ experience in emergency response, training, and leadership. He was instrumental in establishing MRS Training & Rescue's Aberdeen centre, setting the standard for training and rescue services in the area.
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Drawing on extensive hands-on experience in confined spaces and working at height, Dan specialises in delivering bespoke training and emergency response solutions. He has worked on complex international projects and currently manages major contracts, ensuring the safety and preparedness of rescue teams across the UK.
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Liam Spencer is a high-risk rescue instructor and drone pilot at MRS Mansfield. He leads a team of 20, providing confined space training, consultancy, and drone inspections, while fostering strong client relationships.
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Rob Tune has 14 years of experience in high-risk industries including mining, water, energy, and nuclear. He oversees training quality, course development, and assurance, leveraging real-world insights to enhance learning.
Neil Fowkes has over 30 years of engineering and safety expertise. He specialises in confined space rescue, working at height, and international safety training—including offshore operations.
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Billy is the Senior SHEQ Manager at MRS Training and Rescue. After serving nine years in the Royal Air Force Fire Service, he transitioned into Fire Safety and Health & Safety instruction. A recognised expert, Billy is dedicated to driving continuous improvements in safety and health across the organisation.
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Derek Speirs began his career in the mining industry at 16, following his father's footsteps. After gaining extensive experience in mining and rescue operations, he joined MRS Training & Rescue in 2013 and swiftly rose through the ranks.
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Matt has six years of experience in delivering confined space, work at height, and STCW training. He combines his expertise in rescue operations and site consultations to help organisations maintain the highest safety standards.
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A former prison officer with expertise in riot control and hostage negotiation, Steve now leads rescue operations and delivers specialist training—while pursuing advanced safety and management qualifications.
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Ross Graham has a background in emergency response, offshore operations, and health & safety training. He plays a key role in developing industry-leading training programmes and helms operational teams in high-risk environments.
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About this course
- Elementary First Aid (EFA)
Those attending this course learn the correct action to take in a first aid emergency. This includes administering basic life support, as well as dealing with burns, bleeding, fractures, major illness and shock.
- Personal Survival Techniques
Delegates learn how to use survival craft and equipment, and what actions to take to overcome or reduce immediate threat to life.
- Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting
Delegates learn the correct action to take in an emergency, perform firefighting operations using a range of equipment, wear self-contained breathing apparatus, operate in a smoke-filled environment, and recover a casualty.
- Personal Safety & Social Responsibility (PSSR)
Delegates are introduced to safety procedures and accident prevention whilst working on board a vessel.
- Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA)
Delegates will understand and recognise the standards of competence required to ensure security awareness and vigilance on board a ship.
All MRS Training & Rescue instructors that deliver this course are existing rescue operators who deliver specialist rescue training for awarding bodies and internally accredited courses.
All undertake, as a minimum, the Level 3 Approved Educational Training package (or equivalent) and the City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement, to assess in both the work based and vocational arenas.
Trainer to delegate ratios for each course are as follows:
- Elementary First Aid – 1:12
- Personal Survival Techniques - 1:8 for practical and 1:24 for theory
- Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting – 1:4 for practical and 1:24 for theory
- Personal Safety & Social Responsibility – 1:25
- Proficiency in Security Awareness – 1:24
Certification/Accreditation
On successful completion of the course, delegates will receive five printed MRS Training & Rescue certificates – one for each individual course completed.
The course is regulated by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and is in line with the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping.
Those successfully completing the assessments for Personal Survival Techniques and Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting will be issued with certificates which are valid for 5 years. After this period, the Basic Safety Training Update Package can be completed.
Those successfully completing the assessments for Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety & Social Responsibility and Proficiency in Security Awareness will be issued with certificates which currently have no revalidation period - however we would suggest not exceeding 5 years.
The MRS Training & Rescue certificate will be provided to successful candidates at the end of the course.
Payments
If you book this course online, you can pay by debit or credit card.
If you wish to pay via an invoice, please enquire about the course and our team will contact you to complete the booking.
Course materials, refreshments and a light lunch are provided.
After booking
Joining instructions are sent by email – which are usually received on the same day but always within 48 hours of booking.
Courses start at 9am and finish at approximately 5pm each day.
Yes - subject to our terms and conditions.
Yes, free parking is available at all our UK training centres for course candidates.
Entry requirements
Delegates should be aware of the practical aspects of the training and the requirement to be fit and well enough to undertake the practical exercises.
Key health conditions to consider include heart disease, respiratory issues (e.g., asthma), high blood pressure, epilepsy, vertigo, impaired limb function, uncorrected vision problems, and any substance dependencies.
If unsure, employers should arrange a medical assessment. We reserve the right to refuse training to those deemed medically unfit.
Yes. Delegates should be clean shaven as the firefighting part of the course includes the wearing of breathing apparatus.
Yes. Delegates will require:
- Coveralls/clothes to be worn under fire uniform (this may get smoky) (STCW FPFF Only)
- Long socks (STCW FPFF Only)
- Swimming attire (STCW PST Only)
- Lightweight clothing to wear under immersion suit - these will get wet (STCW PST Only)
- Comfortable clothes for the classroom
Yes. All delegates must complete the mandatory forms (STCW Delegate Registration Form and STCW Pre Course Medical Questionnaire) in the links provided in our joining instructions email and return them to MRS Training & Rescue no later than 16:00 on the day prior to the course commencing.
Delegates must also provide government issued photo identification on their day of training. This is a mandatory requirement. Failure to provide this ID will prevent the delegate from taking the training until verification can be made.
Yes. Due to the nature of the training course and the emphasis placed on communication, there is only a provision for the assessments to be undertaken in English. Therefore English proficiency is required.
