As a patrolling lifesaver, your primary role will be one of prevention. A preventative action is a direct action taken to reduce or eliminate the probability of a specific rescue, first aid or other reportable incident from happening in the future.
Preventative actions can be either ‘static’ or ‘dynamic’.
Static preventative actions are interventions that, once set in place, have the effect of reducing risk to all beachgoers over time. Examples may include:
- conducting risk assessments to eliminate or reduce risks posed by hazards
- conducting stinger net drags prior to patrol
- erecting proper signage to identify key risks
- establishing the flagged area in a safe location for swimmers.
Dynamic preventative actions involve direct interventions with particular beachgoers, preferably at an interpersonal level, and can often have a greater effect on beachgoer behaviour than passive preventative actions. Examples may include:
- communication with swimmers to ensure they maintain their position between the flags
- direct communications with particular individuals or groups of beachgoers engaged in risky behaviour
- providing surf awareness education to members of the public
- public address announcements to particular boardriders encroaching into the flagged area.
Just as incidents are reported, so are preventative actions. These statistics contribute to the research and drowning prevention strategies utilised by SLSA.