Junior Carnival Water Safety Requirements
Clubs are reminded that they must supply qualified Water Safety Officers (WSO) and rescue boards & tubes as per the following ratios:
Note: Water Safety Officers MUST bring a rescue board, a rescue tube, and an orange rashie to the carnivals in all instances. If rostered to the same time slot, each WSO must have their own rescue equipment.
| Number of Competitors | Number of Water Safety Personnel Required |
|---|---|
| 1 – 6 | No water safety requirement |
| 7 – 15 | 1 Water Safety Officer with tube and rescue board |
| 16 – 29 | 2 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 30 – 39 | 3 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 40 – 44 | 4 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 45 – 54 | 5 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 55 – 64 | 6 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 65 – 74 | 7 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 75 – 84 | 8 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 85 – 94 | 9 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 95 – 105 | 10 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| and so on as numbers of competitors increase |
Please note: It is a requirement for clubs that fall within the 1-6 competitors category to work with LSV to develop their pool of water safety personnel and be sustainable for their requirements in the future.
Water Safety Ratios are calculated on 4 shifts x 4 people for each shift. A shift commences when the water event(s) commences. LSV will call on reserve club water safety personnel for events such as the surf swim and surf teams as these events will require a minimum of 5 water safety personnel in the area.
Team Managers are required to enter water safety officers into Sport App – Entries by 11.00pm on the MONDAY before each carnival.
Please note the following key points:
- All WSO’s are required to arrive with a rescue board and a rescue tube for their shift, aside from U8s where only a tube is just required. (All water safety equipment must meet SLSA standards).
- WSO’s must be qualified and proficient at the time of their duty allocation with either their Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) or Bronze Medallion.
- SRC award holders shall not exceed 25% of qualified water safety officers provided by any one club.
- It is recommended that the WSO’s be appropriately attired and wear a suitable wetsuit ensuring their personal health, safety, and comfort for the two-hour period.
- Clubs and WSO’s are to provide and wear their own orange water safety caps and orange water safety vests.
- WSO’s are not to make physical contact with a competitor or their equipment unless they are in the process of assisting that competitor to withdraw from the event. Encouragement and direction is permitted for all competitors in the event.
- LSV reserves the right to move WSO’s to alternate areas if required.
- Clubs and Team Managers may not enter all their club volunteers into the same area but must spread them across several areas as required.
- A reminder that IRB Crew and Drivers are not included in the club water safety ratio.
- WSO’s must report to their Age Group ARRO prior to the commencement of the carnival for a safety briefing. The time will be confirmed in the relevant circular. WSO should again then report to the ARRO at least 15 minutes prior to their shift ready to go.
- The Age Group ARRO will have a copy of the water safety rosters and the area will be stopped if the Water Safety Officers do not report on time and suitably equipped, and the relevant Club’s Team Manager will be summoned.
Senior Carnival Water Safety Requirements
Clubs are reminded that they must supply qualified Water Safety Officers (WSO) and rescue boards & tubes for the U13/14 area as per the following ratios:
Note: WSOs MUST bring a rescue board, a rescue tube, and an orange rashie to the carnivals in all instances. Please note: This also include any carnival where U13 or U14 events are occurring, including invitations. If rostered to the same time slot, each WSO must have their own rescue equipment.
VIC Senior Carnivals Summer ’24 – 25 Senior #1 Jan Juc Saturday 16/11/2024 Senior #2 inc R&R Ocean Grove Sunday 8/12/2024 Clubs must provide WSO as per ratios stipulated.
Clubs will be exempt from providing WSO Ratios for U14 events from Senior Carnivals #3 inc R&R Anglesea Sunday 12/01/2025 ^ Senior #4 inc R&R Lorne Sunday 2/02/2025 Senior #5 Jan Juc Saturday 1/03/2025. If their U14 competitors have obtained their Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) award must be processed and visible in SurfGuard for exemption to be effective.
| Number of U3/U14 Competitors | Number of Water Safety Personnel Required |
|---|---|
| 1 – 4 | No water safety requirement |
| 5 – 10 | 1 Water Safety Officer only with tube and rescue board |
| 11 – 20 | 2 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 21 – 29 | 3 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 30 – 39 | 4 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 40 – 49 | 5 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 50 – 59 | 6 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 60 – 69 | 7 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
| 70+ | 8 Water Safety Officers with tubes and rescue boards |
Please note: It is a requirement for clubs that fall within the 1-4 competitors category to work with LSV to develop their pool of water safety personnel and be sustainable for their requirements in the future.
Water Safety Ratios are calculated on 4 shifts x 4 people for each shift. A shift commences when the water event(s) commences. LSV will call on reserve club water safety personnel for events such as the surf swim and surf teams as these events will require a minimum of 5 water safety personnel in the area.
Team Managers are required to enter water safety officers into Sport App – Entries by 11.00pm on the MONDAY before each carnival.
Please note the following key points:
- WSO’s must be qualified and proficient at the time of their duty allocation with either their Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion.
- SRC award holders shall not exceed 25% of qualified water safety provided by any one club.
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