4.2.1 Sign On (Lifeguard)

Sign On

In 2.2.4 Lifeguards & Clubs we showed how you can sign on both Lifeguards and Clubs via the View Status screen. In this section, you can also Sign On a Lifeguard by clicking Sign On and a Club > Sign On screen will display

Select the Lifeguard from the Location drop-down and the following screen will display

Two compulsory fields must be completed (See the description of all sign-on fields below)

• Sign-On Method
• Time
  

Sign On Descriptions

• Sign-on Method – provides the operator with a selection of communications mediums and the level to which the communication is received — 5 being the strongest and 1 being the weakest. (Also available Radio – Unreachable, Radio – SMR (Specialised Mobile Radio) & Phone)
• Time – defaults to current time but can be changed manually
• Roster – displays to the operator whether there is a LifeGuard(s) rostered for that particular date at that particular location. If the LifeGuards have set up a patrol rosters in SurfGuard, it will be displayed here and it is important to select the correct Lifeguard when signing on the service.
• Beach Status – shows the current state of the Beach. Options to select include:-
  • Open denotes that the Lifeguard Service has defined a safe swimming area by putting up SLSA standard red and yellow patrol flags.
  • Closed – denotes that the Lifeguard Service has been unable to define a safe enough area for members of the public swim, and therefore no patrol flags are flying.
  • Surveillance – is used in severe weather conditions at the discretion of the Lifeguard, generally meaning that the Lifeguard(s) is/are surveying the beach and beachgoers from the safety of the surf club or other shelter in inclement weather.
• Water Craft Status allows the operator to select the following options for the status of the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB); Operational, Multiple Operational Vehicles, Standby or Not Operational
• Beach Vehicle Status allows the operator to select the following options for the status of the Beach Vehicle/s; Operational, Multiple Operational Vehicles, Standby or Not Operational
• UAV Status – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) may be in use by the Lifeguard Service and the following options are available to select; Operational, Multiple Operational Vehicles, Standby or Not Operational
• Beach Specific Statistics at Sign On – Surfcom operators will need to get from the Lifeguard signing the beach on the following information
  • Patrolling Members
  • People on Beach
  • Swimmers
  • People on Craft
• Hazards At Sign-On – Beaches’ local hazards reported to SurfCom can be recorded using the appropriate checkboxes.
  Hazards that can be recorded against a sign-on are Sharks, Marine Stingers, Crocodiles, Winds, Rip Currents, Submerged Objects, Beach erosion, Water pollution, Heavy shorebreak or Dangerous surf.
  If the hazard does not fall into one of these in-built categories then the Other check box can be ticked and you will be able to enter a description of the hazard.

*Lifesaving Service Protocols – To the right of these fields is Lifesaving Service Protocols. This section provides information regarding the Lifeguard Service requirements that are set out in their Lifesaving Agreement.

*Depending on your State/Branch’s requirements you may need to fill in some or all fields. Check with your SurfCom Supervisor/Manager.

*Select any appropriate hazards — this information is displayed on Beachsafe website and the Beachsafe app for the public to see.