Home > Survival Systems Training > FAQ's

What are the medical requirements? (Answer)
Survival Systems requires one of the following:
   • Offshore medical
   • Seafarer’s medical
   • Diver’s medical
   • Pilots medical
   • Fitness Certification Form (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)(completed by your family physician (for SSTL use only)

Trainees without a current medical certificate will be refused the course and charged the full fee.

Offshore medicals can be arranged at the following organizations:
   • Atlantic Offshore Medical Associates – 454 5838
   • Atlantic Offshore Medical Services – 469 2667
      www.aoms.nf.net (Newfoundland)
      www.aoms.nf.net/aomnsltd.htm (Nova Scotia)
   •East Coast Mobile Medical - 481 3699 or 800 294 2971
      www.ecmm.ca

Is your course OPITO/OLF approved? (Answer)
Although our training exceeds these standards, SSTL does not have OPITO/OLF approval. Our training has been accepted by various operators throughout the world. Trainees must contact the operator of the installation to which they are traveling to determine if our training will be accepted.

I have already taken an OPITO/OLF program. Is this training acceptable when working offshore in Canada? (Answer)

Basic Survival Training

Recognized Certificates

• Basic Survival Training (BST) Certificate issued by the Marine Institute, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Basic Survival Training (BST) Certificate issued by Survival Systems Ltd., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
• Basic Offshore Safety induction and Emergency Training and European Module Certificate issued by OPITO-approved provider issued prior to November 1, 2007 or with a certificate issued after this date plus completion of the BST-R
• Basic Safety and Emergency Preparedness Training and Helicopter Evacuation Certificate issued by OLF-approved provider in Norway

Note: Certificates issued for the successful completion of the OPITO- and OLF-approved courses will be considered valid for a period of three (3) years from its date of issue.

Basic Survival Training - Recurrent (BST-R)

Recognized Certificates

• Basic Survival Training (Recurrent) (BST-R) Certificate issued by the Marine Institute, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Basic Survival Training (Recurrent) (BST-R) issued by Survival Systems Ltd., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

Note: For personnel entering the jurisdiction for the first time an OLF approved survival refresher course with proof of having completed a HUET module will be accepted or an OPITO survival refresher course plus a European upgrade module will be accepted if issued prior to November 1, 2007. A certificate from an OPITO approved training provider issued after November 1, 2007 will be accepted on completion of the BST-R.

How long do I have in which to renew my BST or BSTR certification? (Answer)
BST/BSTR certification MUST be renewed BEFORE the expiry date. Individuals who fail to renew certification by this time must submit a letter of acceptance to Survival Systems outlining:
    • the date of expiry
   • why he/she was unable to complete the refresher in the required timeframe (valid reason)
   • state the next scheduled BSTr or BSTRw date he/she can attend (should be the next available course sheduled).

Please note this letter must be approved by SSTL before he/she can be registered for a refresher course. If the letter is approved, he/she has to attend the dates requested in the letter for the refesher and if for any reason he/she cannot attend, the 5 day BST would have to be retaken.

Letters of acceptance can be forwarded to our Registrar:

Margie MacPhail
tel: (902) 465 3888 x103
toll-free: 1 800 788 3888
fax: (902) 466 2929
email: margaret@sstl.com

How do I get a new certificate or ID card if I have lost or misplaced mine? (Answer)
New or faxed copies of certificates and ID cards can be issued at a cost of $10.00 per item.

What time are the classes conducted? (Answer)
Classes are conducted from 0800 to 1700. Trainees who are absent for any duration of a course must complete all sections before they can receive certification.

What are the clothing requirements? (Answer)
Trainees should bring a kit bag with the following items:
   • A set of coveralls or old clothing that you do not mind getting dirty or smoky.
   • Closed-toe footwear
   • A FULL change of indoor and outdoor clothing (including hats, gloves, boots, jacket etc. for cold weather)
   • Swimsuit/trunks, shorts/t-shirt, sweat pants/long sleeved shirt, towel and socks for use during sea and pool exercises (shower facilities are available)

Specialty clothing such as PFD’s, survival suits and firefighting bunker gear will be provided by Survival Systems for pool, sea, industrial and firefighting exercises. For courses with no practical sessions, no special clothing is required.

Where are you located? (Answer)
We are located at 40 Mount Hope Avenue, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. For specific directions please see

Map of 40 Mount Hope Avenue Halifax, NS B2Y, CA

Is parking available on site? (Answer)
Free vehicle parking is available at our facility. Transportation from Survival Systems to the various training sites will be provided.

Is food service available on site? (Answer)
Trainees are responsible for obtaining their own lunch between the hours of 12:00 and 1:00. SSTL offers a lunchroom equipped with vending machines, refrigerator, microwave, and toaster. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and water are available free of charge. Within a short walking distance, trainees have the option of Subway, A&W, Pilots Pub, Tim Hortons and Sobeys.

What is the policy on drugs & alcohol? (Answer)
NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS may be consumed during scheduled course time (including lunch breaks). Trainees abusing this policy will be removed from their program and charged the full course fee.

What are the terms of payment? (Answer)
Survival Systems accepts the following methods of payment
   • credit card
   • money order
   • certified cheque (personal cheques are not accepted)
   • bank draft
   • debit

Companies with an established credit history with Survival Systems may arrange payment on approved credit. All payments are required in full on the first day of training.

Is financing available? (Answer)
Participants may be eligible for financing through Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). Individuals must contact an Employment Insurance (EI) councillor directly. If sponsorship is granted, confirmation must be received in writing and payment received in full by the first day of training.

Our programs do not qualify for student loan programs.

What is your cancellation policy? (Answer)
Survival Systems requires three WORKING days notice for any cancellation. A trainee/company representative who fails to provide 3 days notice will be charged the full course fee.

What accommodations are available? (Answer)
Within a short drive from our facility, there are the following hotels/motels:
 • Holiday Inn, Dartmouth (1-888-434-0440) - Downtown
 • Future Inn, Dartmouth (1-800-565-0700) - Burnside Industrial Park
 • Park Place Ramada Renaissance Hotel (902) 468-8888 - Burnside Industrial Park
 • Howard Johnson Hotel &Suites (902) 463-9520 - Downtown

How do I register for a program? (Answer)
To register for courses, please contact our Registrar:

Margie MacPhail
tel: (902) 465 3888 x103
toll-free: 1 800 788 3888
fax: (902) 466 2929
email: margaret@sstl.com