PST training equips mariners with the skills to survive at sea in an emergency. We explore what the course covers and why it saves lives.
When the worst happens at sea, the difference between life and death often comes down to preparation. Personal Survival Techniques (PST) is one of the four core modules of STCW Basic Training, and for good reason — it teaches the fundamental skills every seafarer needs to survive an abandon-ship scenario.
Core Skills Covered
PST training covers a range of critical survival skills:
- Donning a lifejacket correctly and quickly under stress
- Boarding a life raft from the water and from a height
- Righting an inverted life raft — a physically demanding but essential technique
- Survival craft management including rationing, signaling, and maintaining morale
- Hypothermia prevention through proper body positioning and clothing management
Why It Matters
Statistics from the IMO show that survival rates in maritime emergencies are significantly higher among crew members who have completed comprehensive PST training. The muscle memory built during pool drills — inflating a life raft, climbing in while wearing a survival suit, staying together in a group — can make all the difference when panic sets in.
Beyond the Classroom
While the theoretical knowledge is important, the practical pool session is where most seafarers truly internalize the skills. The experience of entering cold water, inflating a raft, and climbing aboard while wearing heavy gear builds confidence that translates directly to real-world emergencies.
Every seafarer, regardless of rank or department, must complete PST training before joining a vessel. It is not just a regulatory checkbox — it is the foundation of personal safety at sea.
