Paddlecraft Search Technician Award (PSTA)

Since 2017, British Canoeing Lifeguards have been working with a number of SAR organisations and teams to develop an award designed to provide search and rescue teams, utilising canoes, kayaks, SUPs and other paddlecraft, with a nationally recognised qualification covering the key skills and techniques to perform safe and effective search taskings on inland waterways.

The Paddlecraft Search Technician Award (PSTA) qualification, has been developed by a technical working group led by BC Lifeguards that has including trainers from existing operational canoe/kayak search teams.

In February 2020 the award completed it’s pilot phase, and subject to final ratification, will be launched shortly by BC Lifeguards.

BC Lifeguards will be able to share further details on roll-out plans in the coming weeks, and the published award syllabus.

At this stage, we are inviting teams and organisations that have an interested in accessing the award to get in contact with us, to express their interest. Please email canoelifeguards.admin@vol.britishcanoeing.org.uk with your contact details and we will keep you updated with any developments.

PSTA Syllabus

  • Will be available to download here soon

PSTA Courses

Courses are run on an as and when required basis. Please get it touch if you’d like to discuss organising a course. Email canoelifeguards.admin@vol.britishcanoeing.org.uk

Please note that we are currently only able to consider requests for courses from recognised / affiliated SAR teams & organisations.

PSTA Courses

Find details of upcoming PSTA courses here

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Trainer Resources

PSTA Trainer Resources can be found online here.

Note: You will require a password to access these resources. Please contact us if you do not have it.