MED A 3 + MARINE FIRST AID

[Peahead]

Now I am going to make this even more complicated. When I got my Med A2 several years ago it was a 4 day course and was TC stated it was manditory for guiding period. Even for guides inside in Georgia Strait. Later and more recently the shorter less involved MED A3 course is now the requirement. At the time of my MED 2 coures I was told I had limitations to my distance "offshore" of any land and from home port ( hometrade 1/ 2 etc.) even in Georgia Strait. I think the distance was far enough that you could just barely make the crossing to Gabriola from Vancouver and stay within the "limits".

Anyway my question is that with a MED A2 are the west coast guys dealing with TC limits to the distance offshore that you can operate with clients ?

 

[Fishing Guide]

Cheers Peahead,

Near Coastal Waters 2 - up to 25 miles offshore.

Fishing Guide
www.invictuscharters.com
BC Outdoors Pro Staff
www.fishingvancouverisland.org

 

[beemer]

GREAT POST FISHING GUIDE.

quote:Originally posted by Fishing Guide


Cheers All,

Might as well finish my thoughts as for the Med-A2 Vs A3 difference and the qualifcations for guides in BC.

Essentially the A3 course is the basic Marine Emergency Duties and the A2 was designed with a pool component which includes the care, operation and use with practice of Immersion Suits as well as life rafts. Each is suited for diffent coastal requirements NC2, NC1, Unlimited etc...as well as boat description (i.e., vessel over min length requires life rafts, survival suites).

Since few of the guides in BC are required to carry either immersion suites (survival) or life rafts, the requirement for guides to have the A2 course makes no sense.

Initially Nanaimo TC requested that Invictus Charters take the A2 course but, when it was pointed out the futility of the requirement as to the regulations, and after some lengthy telephone conversations between Nanaimo TC and Victoria TC, it was determined that MED A3 was sufficent.

It would be professional if everyone in TC was to take a weekend, figure out exactly what is required and then post those standards in PLAIN ENGLISH for all to see - then hold to that standard. The moving target that each guide faces with respect to who they are, who they know, where they live, the TC Inspector - not to mention the phase of the moon - makes trying to comply with regulations almost impossible.

Thank you for your patience.

Fishing Guide
www.invictuscharters.com
BC Outdoors Pro Staff
www.fishingvancouverisland.org

 

[searun]

Great clarification, but it sounds like the A2 course is better by a large margin. I have the A3 course, but I can't agree that it is a useless course - it covered all the basics. Like many courses I have taken, you can always find at least 10% useful and the way to think about it is if that little bit of new info saves your bacon one day it was worth it.

Searun

 

[Fishing Guide]

Cheers All,

The TC courses are not designed for those who already know the information within but to ensure that all who carry passengers have the same basic background. Undoubtedly many, many guides in BC already have the background that is contained within but there are many others that are entering the profession that do not. I don't have a problem ensuring I have the same basic background as all other guides in BC. That one chooses to go further or acquire in depth qualifications is up to that individual. I choose to exceed those basic qualifications as it provides not only a safer experience for my guests but additional protection for myself.

Fishing Guide
www.invictuscharters.com
BC Outdoors Pro Staff
www.fishingvancouverisland.org