It is essential all patrol gear and equipment is in proper working order and condition prior to your patrol commencing, so that you can be confident it is ‘rescue ready’ and can be used should the need arise. Any damaged or unserviceable equipment should be reported to your patrol captain as soon as possible, removed from service and tagged as unserviceable (as per your local SOPs) and repaired or replaced where appropriate.
Rescue tubes
Regularly check that:
- the clip to secure the victim is operational and not rusty
- the line is not fraying, especially where the knot is tied to the ring. Any other knots in the rope will weaken it over time
- the sash is not frayed or torn
- the ‘webbing’ is in good condition by pulling and applying load
- there is no splitting, particularly at the ends.
Rescue boards
Regularly check that:
- the deck is waxed (where required)
- the board fin is solidly in place and has no sharp edge
- the hand grips are in good condition
- the knee pads are secure (where required)
- there are no sharp or abrasive areas, holes or cracks in the board.
Radios
Your patrol captain may request your assistance to check that radios are operational. The Radio Operations module of this manual contains vital information in relation to radio usage and maintenance and should be referred to as required.
First aid kits
First aid kits should be checked before a patrol, after each time the equipment is used and at the end of the patrol. It is important to maintain the first aid kit by making sure any items are replaced as soon as possible after use, and that items remain within their use-by date. Your patrol captain will assign a team member appropriately qualified to confirm first aid kits are operational.
Oxygen and defibrillation equipment
Oxygen and defibrillation equipment should be checked before a patrol, after each time the equipment is used and at the end of the patrol. Your patrol captain will assign a team member appropriately qualified to confirm oxygen and defibrillation equipment is operational.
Patrol flags
Red and yellow flags — patrol flags — are placed to indicate the supervised area where the public should swim.
Black and white quartered flags — craft flags—are placed to indicate an area where surfing and other craft are not permitted. This is often set as a buffer zone on either side of the red and yellow flags.
Red and white quartered flag — emergency evacuation—is placed to indicate that people should leave the water immediately due to an emergency.
Orange with a blue diagonal stripe flags — signals flags—may be used when performing beach to water signals.
