Surf Life Saving Australia
Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue training manual
Table of Contents
Surf Life Saving Australia
Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue training manual
PSAR 35
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Module 1 – Introduction to Surf Life Saving
Drowning prevention strategies
Lifesavers and Lifeguards
SLSA Governance and Organisational Structure
Training and Education
Module 1 – Reflection Questions
Module 2 – Safety and Wellbeing
Safety and wellbeing
Work Health and Safety
Work Health and Safety Act 2011
Duty of Care
Duty to Rescue
WHS Responsibilities
Environmental management and sustainability
Hygiene
Personal Hygiene
Environmental hygiene
Personal protective equipment
Workplace injury and illness
Types of hazards
Examples of hazards
Dangerous marine creatures
Tropical Marine Stingers
Risk Management
Actions in the event of a sting
Sharks and crocodiles
Risk management
Actions on sighting
Actions in the event of a shark or crocodile bite
Manual Handling
How to Lift
Lifting Equipment
Personal Injury
Personal Injury Reporting
Physical Health
Fitness levels for lifesaving/lifeguarding
Alcohol and Drugs
Cigarette Smoking
Diet and Hydration
Medication
Sun Protection
Dangers of exposure to Sun
Preventing Sun Damage
Mental Health
Work-related stress
Signs and symptoms
Management of work-related stress
Critical incident stress
Signs and symptoms
Management of critical incident stress
Critical incident on patrol
Operational debrief
Mental health conversations
Support services
Member protection
Bullying, harassment and discrimination
Safeguarding children and young people
Raising concerns
Module 2 – Reflection Questions
Module 3 – Radio Operations
Radio Equipment
Radio Basics
Types of Radios
Your Radio
Surf Life Saving Communication Centre
Radio Transmissions
Radio Technique
Interruptions to transmissions
Prowords
The NATO phonetic alphabet
Call signs
Radio protocols
Signing on
Radio checks
During patrol
Signing off
Incidents and emergencies
Emergency call
Incident procedures
Radio Maintenance
Battery Charging
General Information
Module 3 – Reflection questions
Module 4 – Surf Awareness
The coastal environment
Wave Formation
Wind energy to wave generation
Swell propagation and characteristics
Surf forecast
Wave grouping
Swells interacting with the coastline
Wave profiles
Tsunamis
Local winds
Surf Zone Currents
Longshore currents
Rip currents
Identifying rip currents
Types of rip currents
Flow behaviour of rip currents
Circulating rip currents
Non-circulating rip currents
Rip current avoidance principles
Rip current survival principles
Tides
Beach types and hazard ratings
Types and safety issues
Reflective
Low tide terrace
Bar and rip
Longshore trough
Dissipative (broad surf zone)
Beachsafe App
Surf skills
Self-survival skills
Before entering the surf
Surf swimming
Effective use of swim fins
Bodysurfing
Rescue board paddling
Entering the water
Bunny-hopping
Board trim and getting on the board
Paddling technique
Prone paddling
Paddling on your knees
Negotiating the surf zone with a board
Pushing up on a rescue board
Rolling a rescue board
Popping a wave
Punching a wave
Catching waves on a board
Paddling with a victim on a board
Module 4 – Reflection questions
Module 5 – Rescue
Rescue principles
Rescue Techniques
Preparing for a Rescue
Situational Awareness
Scanning
Scanning Strategies
Recognising the Victim
Characteristics of different types of victims
Signalling team members
Beach to Water Signals
Water to Beach Signals
Tower Signals
Planning the Rescue
Pause and Plan
Rescue Method
Deciding on a Plan of Action
Key factors influencing rescue decisions
Undertaking the Rescue
Victim approach
Defensive position
Releases and escapes
Rescues without equipment
Tube rescues
Board rescues
Mass rescues
Using other flotation resources
Victim handling techniques
Two-person carries and drags
Two-person carry (‘trunk and legs’)
IRB variation of two-person carry
RWC variation of two-person carry
Two-handed seat carry
Two-person drag
Post-rescue operations
Team debriefing and reporting
Equipment cleaning and maintenance
Module 5 – Reflection questions
Module 6 – Resuscitation
Safety first
Prevention of cross-infection during CPR
Prevention of cross-infection during CPR training
Anatomy considerations that can affect CPR
The nervous system
The circulatory system
The respiratory system
Best practice guidelines
Chain of survival
Primary patient assessment – DRSABCD
Danger and Response
Send for help
Airway
Breathing
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CPR Procedure – outline
Compressions
Rescue Breathing
Children and infants
CPR for a pregnant patient
CPR Overview
Team CPR
Defibrillation
Positioning of pads
Safety
Operation
Shock delivery protocols
Recovery
Complications during CPR
Bag-Valve-Mask use
Management of the patient after CPR
Documentation
Patient handover
Module 6 – Reflection Questions
Module 7 – Emergency Care
Safety First
Best Practice Guidelines
Aims of First Aid
Legal Considerations
First Aid Kits
Contents
Bandages and Dressings
Maintaining First Aid Kits
Primary assessment – conscious patient
Secondary Assessment
Secondary Assessment Procedure
Pain Management
Monitoring and reassuring the person
Documentation
Advanced Medical Assistance
Requesting an ambulance
Referring to a Medical Practitioner
Cardiovascular Emergencies
The Heart
Cardiac Arrest
Heart Attack
Respiratory Emergencies
Respiratory system
Asthma
Choking
Circulation Emergencies (Bleeding)
Circulatory system
Signs and symptoms
Severity
Minor cuts and abrasions
Nosebleeds
Major external bleeding
Severe, life-threatening external bleeding
Shock
Allergic Reactions
The immune system
Allergies
Anaphylaxis
Brain-related Emergencies
Nervous system
Stroke
Head Injury
Temperature-related Emergencies
Integumentary system
Sunburn
Hypothermia
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Musculoskeletal system
Fractures
Sprains and strains
Dislocations
Immobilisation—slings
Venomous Bites and Stings
Lymphatic system
Bites and stings
Heat
Cold
Vinegar
Pressure immobilisation technique
Venomous sea creatures
Venomous land creatures
Module 7 – Reflection Questions
Module 8 – Communication
Communication
Effective Communication
Methods of Communication
Public Image
Verbal communication
Active listening skills
Barriers to verbal communication
Non-verbal communication
Body language
Graphic communication
Warning Signs
Information signs
Regulatory signs
Safety signs
Selecting an appropriate communication tool
Social media
Building relationships
How to provide feedback
Conflict resolution
Communicating with an agitated person
Routine communications for lifesavers
Written instructions
Reports
Group communication
Module 8 – Reflection Questions
Module 9 – Spinal Management
The Spinal Cord
Common causes of spinal cord injury
Classification and level of injury
Signs and Symptoms
Managing a victim with suspected spinal injury
Extracting a victim with a suspected spinal injury (aquatic environment)
Managing the spinal victim’s airway
Providing spinal care
Spinal care for children and infants
Log roll technique
Strapping and extrication
Module 9 – Reflection Questions
Module 10 – Patrol Operations
Patrolling the beach
Patrol uniforms
Preparing for patrol
Risk management
Communication and consultation
Identify hazards
Assess risks
Control risks
Monitor and review control measures
Team Briefing
Safety First
Allocation of responsibilities
Setting up the patrol area
Checking gear and equipment
Patrolling the beach as a team
Roles and responsibilities
Patrolling methods
Working as part of a team
Community Service
Reporting incidents to the patrol captain
Preventative actions
Crowd control
Working with inflatable rescue boats
Emergencies on patrol
Search and rescue operations
Major emergencies
Closing the beach
Working with other emergency services
Working with other powercraft in emergencies
Concluding patrol operations
Team debrief
Other patrol resources
Service agreements
Standard operating procedures
Module 10 – Reflection Questions
Reflection Questions
References
PSAR 35
A PDF version of this manual can be downloaded by current members from the
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Foreword
