Basic Evacuation and Rescue Course
This course gives you the essential skills to act quickly and effectively when people have to be moved away from danger. You will learn the key concepts and plans of evacuation, how crowds behave in an emergency, how to lift, drag and carry casualties with and without equipment, how to use stretchers, immobilisation devices and a basic rescue kit, how to search rooms and confined spaces safely in low visibility, and how to triage several casualties, run drills and debrief the team after an incident.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this program gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The program is designed precisely for that.
What is the Basic Evacuation and Rescue Course?
This short course is aimed at first responders such as firefighters, rescuers and health staff, people who work at height or in confined spaces, industrial safety teams and occupational risk prevention technicians, civil protection and humanitarian volunteers, crew members and anyone who wants to learn how to protect themselves and help others in a critical situation. You will study evacuation, shelter-in-place, assembly points and escape routes, threats such as fire, flooding, structural failure and medical emergencies, crowd psychology and panic, evacuation plans and roles, body mechanics, emergency drags and manual carries, basket and scoop stretchers, spinal boards, collars and splints, ropes, karabiners, mechanical advantage and respiratory protection, primary and secondary search, marking systems, low-visibility navigation, confined-space hazards and signs of structural collapse, START triage, the casualty collection point, drills, crisis communication and post-incident debriefing.
What sets this course apart: it starts from what one or two people can do with no equipment and builds up to the use of professional rescue gear; it always puts the safety of the rescuer first, from body mechanics to atmospheric hazards; and it closes with multiple-casualty management, so you learn not only to move a casualty but to organize an evacuation, measure it in a drill and learn from it afterwards.
Program highlights
- Evacuation fundamentals: escape routes, assembly points, threat analysis and evacuation plans.
- Crowd behavior: managing panic, collective behavior and leading groups to safety.
- Moving casualties: body mechanics, emergency drags and one- and two-rescuer carries.
- Rescue equipment: basket and scoop stretchers, spinal boards, splints, ropes and pulleys.
- Search and confined spaces: systematic search, marking, low-visibility navigation and safe entry.
- Multiple casualties: START triage, casualty collection points, drills and team debriefing.
Syllabus of the Basic Evacuation and Rescue Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of evacuation and risk analysis in emergencies
- 1.1. Key concepts: evacuation, shelter in place, assembly point and escape routes
- 1.2. Identifying potential threats: fire, flooding, structural failure and medical emergencies
- 1.3. Crowd psychology in emergencies: managing panic, collective behavior and group leadership
- 1.4. Assessing the vulnerability of the environment: emergency exits, signage and obstacles
- 1.5. The evacuation plan: diagrams, assignment of roles such as guides and sweepers, and response times
Moving and transferring casualties without specialist equipment
- 2.1. Principles of body mechanics: lifting and moving loads without harming the rescuer
- 2.2. Emergency drags: the firefighter's drag, the shoulder drag and blanket drags
- 2.3. Single-rescuer carries: assisted walking, the cradle carry and the seat carry
- 2.4. Transfer techniques for two or more rescuers: hand seats and the extremity carry
- 2.5. Rapid assessment of the casualty before moving them: protocols to avoid worsening injuries
Technical rescue equipment and immobilisation devices
- 3.1. Using and maintaining professional stretchers: basket (Stokes) stretcher, scoop stretcher and spinal board
- 3.2. Immobilisation devices: applying cervical collars, limb splints and spider straps
- 3.3. The basic rescue kit: ropes, karabiners, torches, whistles and personal protective equipment
- 3.4. Introduction to mechanical advantage systems: using pulleys and ropes to move casualties more easily
- 3.5. Self-contained breathing apparatus and filters: basic principles for rescue in smoke-filled environments
Search and rescue in confined spaces and structures
- 4.1. Primary and secondary search techniques: systematic sweeps of rooms and open areas
- 4.2. Area marking protocols: international codes to indicate rooms searched or casualties found
- 4.3. Moving in low visibility: the wall technique, guide lines and communication by touch
- 4.4. Basic confined-space rescue: atmospheric hazards, ventilation and safe entry procedures
- 4.5. Recognizing structural hazards: basic shoring and signs of imminent collapse
Drills, triage and multiple-casualty management
- 5.1. The START triage method: rapid classification of casualties by priority (red, yellow, green, black)
- 5.2. Organizing the command post and the casualty collection point during an evacuation
- 5.3. Designing and running evacuation drills: measuring times and evaluating critical errors
- 5.4. Crisis communication: the flow of information between rescuers, casualties and emergency services
- 5.5. Managing post-incident stress: debriefing protocols for the rescue team after an operation
Duration and format of the Basic Evacuation and Rescue Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Basic Evacuation and Rescue Course
Career opportunities after the Basic Evacuation and Rescue Course
Questions about the Basic Evacuation and Rescue Course
To move people out of a danger zone to a safe place as quickly and safely as possible, without creating new risks for the evacuees or for the rescuers.
Yes, when staying put is more dangerous. The course teaches emergency drags and one- and two-rescuer carries, together with the rapid assessment you should make first so that you do not worsen any injuries.
It introduces the basics: atmospheric hazards, ventilation, safe entry procedures and search techniques. Entering a confined space for a real rescue also requires the specific training, equipment and authorization that your workplace or the competent authority requires.
A rapid method for classifying several casualties by priority, using red, yellow, green and black categories, so that the people who need help most urgently are attended first.
No. Navalis teaches the subject matter and you receive a certificate of completion; official rescue or firefighting qualifications are issued by the competent authorities and bodies in each country.
Fully online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with video demonstrations, downloadable material, drill design exercises, discussion forums and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The course comprises 300 hours of study across 5 modules of 60 hours each. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule set when you enroll.
More programs in Safety and survival
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
- Profile: aimed at first responders, people working at height or in confined spaces, industrial safety and risk prevention staff, civil protection and humanitarian volunteers, crew members and members of the public interested in self-protection; prior training in first aid and basic life support is helpful, and you should be 18 or over and in a physical condition suitable for practicing lifting and carrying techniques.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer, tablet or smartphone with a stable internet connection and an up-to-date browser; comfortable clothing and space to rehearse drags and carries with a partner are useful.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enroll
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.