[The feasibility of a lifeboat and rescue certificate offered by the Severn Area Rescue Association]

By

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Context of the Research Study1

Operational Status2

CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY5

Introduction5

Research Design5

Research Aims6

Secondary Research6

Research Questions6

Intended Outcomes7

Summary of events8

Discussion of the Mode of analysis8

Discussion of alternative methods of data collection10

Testing10

Surveying10

Interviewing11

Conducting Focus Groups11

Discussion of the Sample11

Research Instruments13

Questionnaires15

Definition of questionnaire15

Definition of Qualitative Research15

Research Method16

Difference16

Ethical Considerations18

Rationale19

The Problem20

Questions and Implications21

Aims of this study22

CHAPTER 3: LITERATURE REVIEW23

Current Practice of SARA23

Research of Vocational Qualifications24

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION OF RESULTS25

Limitations of Results34

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION36

REFERENCES40

Chapter 1: Introduction

Context of the Research Study

The Severn Area rescue Association was founded forty years ago at Beachley Point in Sedbury. The first SARA station was constructed beneath the Severn Bridge on the slip way which once homed the ferry which the bridge replaced. Since this time the association has grown in size and scope to cover search and rescue operations from Uskmouth in Newport to beyond Tewksbury in Gloucester. SARA now has four stations with the latest edition of Tewksbury which was created after the Gloucester floods of 2007. The association now has in excess of a hundred and fifty operational crew members who are available via a pager system.

To maintain such a large force of volunteers who are trained in a wide variety of technical areas is a large and difficult task. The training schedule is currently carried out through a rolling syllabus which theoretically should cover every aspect of each stations individual tasking once every twelve months. ()

With such large numbers of volunteers training is the largest cost faced by the organization. The training costs are a relatively high risk investment as volunteers are under no contract of compliance or attendance.

The purpose of this study will be to ascertain the feasibility of creating a series of certification which could draw alternative funding streams for not only SARA but other search and rescue organizations. The evaluation of this certification will also include the potential for transferability between station and organizations. It is hoped the later will help to save resources through not losing skilled search and rescue volunteers.

Operational Status

The current system by which volunteers are recruited is upon their enquiry to the station they are issued with an application form. The most important section of this form is the character reference section (). The candidate must complete this section giving the name of two referees who can vouch for the personal attributes of each candidate. If this is successfully completed the candidate will be invited along to a training evening*.

After the candidate has attended ten sessions of training they ...