PURPOSE
To outline the patrol types available for Surf Life Saving New South Wales personnel to utilise dependent on the conditions, patronage and time of the year.
POLICY
Surf Life Saving New South Wales is the peak water safety body in NSW and has established minimum service expectations.
Ensuring it meets its minimum obligations is fundamental to Surf Life Saving from a public safety, member safety, community expectation and credibility perspective. Furthermore, these minimum standards have been established in partnership with its membership, state/ local government, emergency service partners and the public.
All active patrolling members/clubs/services have an obligation to ensure individual and club/service minimum standards are maintained consistently.
Whilst cognisant of its requirement to meeting minimum service expectations Surf Life Saving New South Wales are committed to providing flexibility to its members to deliver services as outlined in their respective Lifesaving Service Agreement.
This document provides clear guidance as to those options available.
PROCEDURE
PATROL TYPES
SLSNSW utilises five patrol types – Full Patrol, Partial Patrol, Low Patronage Patrol, Surveillance/Inclement Weather Patrol and Lifeguard Joint Patrol. Each patrol type has a different purpose and requirement which are outlined in detail below.
The five patrol types are:
| Core Patrols |
|---|
| 1. Full Patrol |
| 2. Partial Patrol |
| 3. Low Patronage Patrol |
| 4. Surveillance / Inclement Weather Patrol |
| 5. Lifeguard Joint Patrol |
FULL PATROL
A full patrol must meet all minimum personnel and award requirements to be categorised as a full patrol.
A full patrol shall consist of 3 or more financial and proficient surf lifesavers who hold the following surf lifesaving patrol awards:
- 3 x Bronze (PSAR Cert II) Medallion qualified members *
- Silver Medallion Beach Management or Silver Medallion Patrol Captain*
- 1 x Silver Medallion IRB Driver *
- 1 x IRB Crew (separate to the holder of the IRB Driver award) *
- 1 x Advanced Resuscitation Techniques *
- Side by Side Vehicle Operation (if applicable to the club)
*The above qualifications may be held collectively by Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) holders as long as the same person does not hold both IRB Driver and IRB Crew positions. Where required, the Patrol Captain may be the award holder of any/all the above minimum requirements.
Full patrols must operate based on the following criteria:
- During an NSW School Holiday period, unless an exemption is approved by the Branch Director of Lifesaving & State Director of Lifesaving.
- NSW Gazetted Public Holidays during the term of the Lifesaving Service Agreement.
- On days with a forecast maximum temperature of 28 degrees or more during the term of the Lifesaving Service Agreement. The forecast maximum temperature should be taken from the Bureau of Meteorology website for that specific town/location or the nearest coastal town/location to where the patrol will take place.
- When there is a planned major event expected within the local community that will attract large crowds to that location or stretch of coastline. A major event can be classified as an event that significantly increases the likelihood of an injury or drowning occurring at that patrolled location.
- Unless inclement weather provisions may apply (see Inclement Weather / Surveillance Patrol).
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT
Lifesaving equipment must be complete, functional, available for immediate use (rescue ready) and in position at the scheduled patrol start time. It must remain rescue ready for the duration of the operational hours.
The following gear & equipment items shall be deployed/available at a minimum for a Full Patrol.
| Primary Patrolling Equipment |
|---|
| Pair of RED and YELLOW Feathered Patrol Flags (base frames optional) |
| Pair of BLACK and WHITE Quartered Flags (surf craft prohibited signage attached) |
| Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB), including 25HP Outboard Motor, Fuel Bladder and accessories |
| 2x Level 50 SLSA approved Lifejackets (PFD) |
| 4 x Handheld Radios in waterproof bags (1 of which must be set to Channel 3 to monitor SurfCom by the Patrol Captain and/or Patrol Vice- Captain, the other 3 must be set to Channel 2, Patrol) |
| 1 x Side-by-Side (SSV) or alternative Vehicle (where applicable) |
| 1 x Patrol Shelter or Tent (including sufficient anchors/tie-downs) |
| 1 x Pair of Binoculars |
| 2 x Rescue Boards |
| 3 x Rescue Tubes |
| 1 x Defibrillator (AED) |
| 1 x Oxygen Resuscitator Kit |
| 1 x First Aid Kit (including Sharps Disposal Bin/Container) |
| 1 x Spinal Board |
| 1 x Whistle per patroller (recommended) |
| 2 x Pair Swim Fins |
| 1 x Loud Hailer/PA System |
| 1 x Emergency Evacuation Alarm (loud hailer applicable) |
| 2 x Signal Flags (orange with blue stripe) |
| 1 x Emergency Evacuation Flag (red and white quartered) |
| 2 x First Aid Bum Bag |
| Access to Sunscreen (min. SPF 30+) |
| Primary Patrolling Signage |
|---|
| 2 x “Rescue Craft Access Area” mobile signs (IRB/RWC operating zone) |
| 2 x “Swimming Not Advised” mobile signs |
| 2 x “Beach closed” mobile signs |
| 2 x “Blue Bottle” mobile signs |
| 1 x “Dangerous Conditions (Beach Closed)” mobile sign |
| Primary Patrolling Resources |
| SLSNSW Public Safety Standard Operating Procedures (access online version is suitable) |
| Patrol Operations Manual (electronic copy suitable) |
| Patrol Log (Operations App) or Patrol Log Book |
| Incident Logs (Operations App) or Incident Log Book |
| IRB Log (Operations App) or IRB Log Book |
| Optional Patrolling Equipment |
| Patrol Information Board |
| Process |
| 1. Refer to PSSOP 7.1-7.5 |
PATROL UNIFORM
- Uniform must meet the SLSA minimum standards. Members wishing to wear a jacket on patrol are to wear an approved SLSA jacket.
- Consideration of wet weight should be assessed when selecting clothing items for use in an IRB. A rash shirt and/or wet suit is recommended, to be worn in conjunction with a compulsory PFD.
EQUIPMENT PLACEMENT
Equipment should ideally be placed as follows:
- Patrol flags shall be placed no more than 15 metres from the water at any stage.
- Rescue Tubes are to be placed on Rescue Board stand (or next to Rescue Board), at the water’s edge. They should also be readily available at the lifesaving base.
- Rescue Tubes must also be carried on the SSV or by a patrol member when on roving patrols.
- Rescue Boards are to be placed on the water’s edge in board-stands in the most appropriate area and in a ‘rescue ready’ position.
- First Aid Kits, Oxygen Resuscitation Kit, Spinal Board and the Defibrillator Kit are to be always kept in the Patrol Area/SSV – easily accessible (this should include splints and other accessories).
- Other equipment should be placed with consideration to local operational requirements as set in the service Patrol Operations Manual.
- Tent near the flagged area however with a clear ability to observe the surrounding beach.
- Radios with Patrol Captain and IRB Driver when in operation.
INFLATABLE RESCUE BOAT (IRB) SPECIFIC
- The IRB should be positioned on the beach at the water’s edge in a rescue ready position so that it can be launched & recovered quickly without posing a risk to beach visitors and/or lifesaving personnel.
- Rescue Craft Access Signs (2) should be erected either side of the IRB/RWC launching /retrieval area.
- Under standard conditions IRBs should be positioned on the sand with the stern facing the ocean. If necessary to position the IRB on the sand for a long period of time the trailer should be removed from the beach. Based on conditions, and in consultation with the IRB Driver, the Patrol Captain can elect to keep the IRB on the trailer (stern facing the ocean) near the water’s edge.
DEPLOYED LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT LAYOUT FOR A FULL PATROL
PARTIAL PATROL
A Partial Patrol must meet all minimum personnel and award requirements as outlined below to be categorised as a Partial Patrol.
A Partial Patrol shall consist of proficient surf lifesavers who hold the following surf lifesaving patrol awards:
- 2 x Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) qualified members (older than 17 years of age) and 1 x Surf Rescue qualified member or an additional Bronze (PSAR Cert II) qualified member or
- 1 x Gold Medallion (PSAR Cert III) qualified member and 1 x Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) qualified member
- Silver Medallion Beach Management or Silver Medallion Patrol Captain*
- Advanced Resuscitation Techniques*
- Side by Side Vehicle Operation (if applicable to the club)
*The above qualifications may be held collectively by the 2 x proficient Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) holders or 1 x Gold Medallion (PSAR Cert III) holder. Where required, the Patrol Captain may be the award holder of any/all the above minimum requirements.
Partial Patrols may take place in accordance with the following criteria:
- It is not during an NSW School Holiday period, unless an exemption is approved by the Branch Director of Lifesaving & State Director of Lifesaving.
- NSW Gazetted Public Holidays during the term of the Lifesaving Service Agreement.
- On days with a forecast maximum temperature of below 28 degrees. The forecast maximum temperature should be taken from the Bureau of Meteorology website for that specific town/location or the nearest coastal town/location to where the patrol will take place.
- There are no planned major event expected within the local community that will attract large crowds to that location or stretch of coastline. A major event can be classified as an event that significantly increases the likelihood of an injury or drowning occurring at that patrolled location.
- The club Emergency Call-Out Team (ECOT) are alerted, particularly those members on the ECOT who hold IRB qualifications, should an IRB be required to respond to an emergency incident during the outlined lifesaving service agreement hours.
If a club intends to move to a Partial Patrol on the day of a patrol the Patrol Captain must notify the State Operations Centre (SURFCOM) via radio. The State Operations Centre must ensure the Branch Duty Officer is aware of this decision.
If the Branch Duty Officer attends the beach and determines that a Partial Patrol is not appropriate due to the associated risk at that location, then they will consult with the Patrol Captain and arrange for an IRB to be available or a Rescue Water Craft (RWC) asset to attend the location.
If there is a dispute between the Patrol Captain and Branch Duty Officer, the Branch Director of Lifesaving (and if they are not contactable, the State Duty Officer) will have the final say as to the type of patrol type that should be on patrol based on the information provided by the Patrol Captain and Branch Duty Officer.
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT
As per Full Patrol with Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) and associated equipment removed.
LOW PATRONAGE PATROL
A Low Patronage Patrol must meet all minimum personnel and award requirements as outlined below to be categorised as a Low Patronage Patrol.
A Low Patronage Patrol shall consist of at least 2 or more financial and proficient surf lifesavers who hold the following surf lifesaving patrol awards:
- 2 x Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) qualified members (older than 17 years of age)
- Silver Medallion Beach Management or Silver Medallion Patrol Captain*
- Advanced Resuscitation Techniques*
- Side by Side Vehicle Operation (if applicable to the club)
*The above qualifications may be held collectively by the one (1) proficient Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) holder.
A decision to adopt a Low Patronage Patrol sits with the Patrol Captain once conditions and beach attendance have been assessed. Patrol Captains must utilise the following criteria:
- It is not during an NSW School Holiday period, unless an exemption is approved by the Branch Director of Lifesaving & State Director of Lifesaving.
- NSW Gazetted Public Holidays during the term of the Lifesaving Service Agreement.
- On days with a forecast maximum temperature of below 28 degrees. The forecast maximum temperature should be taken from the Bureau of Meteorology website for that specific town/location or the nearest coastal town/location to where the patrol will take place.
- Beach attendance has been recorded as less than 25 people (e.g. for a period of 2 hours or more) within the primary patrolling area.
- There are no planned major event expected within the local community that will attract large crowds to that location or stretch of coastline. A major event can be classified as an event that significantly increases the likelihood of an injury or drowning occurring at that patrolled location.
- The 2 x Bronze qualified members are confident and capable of carrying out a rescue using a rescue board or rescue tube.
- The club Emergency Call-Out Team (ECOT) are alerted, particularly those members on the ECOT who hold IRB qualifications, should an IRB be required to respond to an emergency incident during the outlined lifesaving service agreement hours.
If a club intends to move to a Low Patronage Patrol the Patrol Captain must notify the State Operations Centre (SURFCOM) via radio. The State Operations Centre must ensure the Branch Director of Lifesaving (or their delegate) is aware of this intention and seek a decision.
The decision to approve a Low Patronage Patrol is obtained through the Branch Director of Lifesaving (or their delegate). The Branch Director of Lifesaving (or their delegate) must utilise the following criteria:
- Awareness of the Patrol Captains criteria as outlined above.
- The club Emergency Call-Out Team (ECOT) have been alerted, particularly those members on the ECOT who hold IRB qualifications, should an IRB be required to respond to an emergency incident during the outlined lifesaving service agreement hours.
- The awareness of Rescue Services capabilities available within the area (Lifeguards, Duty Officers, Rescue Water Craft, Westpac Rescue Helicopter etc), including resources that can respond to an emergency incident during the patrol hours.
If there is a dispute between the Patrol Captain and Branch Director of Lifesaving, the decision of the Branch Director of Lifesaving (or their delegate) will be final.
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT
| Primary Patrolling Equipment |
|---|
| Pair of RED and YELLOW Feathered Patrol Flags (base frames optional) |
| Pair of BLACK and WHITE Quartered Flags (surf craft prohibited signage attached) |
| 2 x Handheld Radios in waterproof bags (both of which must be set to Channel 3 to monitor SurfCom) |
| 1 x Side-by-Side (SSV) or alternative Vehicle (where applicable) |
| 1 x Patrol Shelter or Tent (if applicable) |
| 1 x Pair of Binoculars |
| 2 x Rescue Boards |
| 2 x Rescue Tubes |
| 1 x Defibrillator (AED) |
| 1 x Oxygen Resuscitator Kit |
| 1 x First Aid Kit (including Sharps Disposal Bin/Container) |
| 1 x Spinal Board |
| 1 x Whistle per patroller (recommended) |
| 2 x Pair Swim Fins |
| 1 x Loud Hailer/PA System |
| 1 x Emergency Evacuation Alarm (loud hailer applicable) |
| 2 x Signal Flags (orange with blue stripe) |
| 1 x Emergency Evacuation Flag (red and white quartered) |
| 2 x First Aid Bum Bag |
| Access to Sunscreen (min. SPF 30+) |
SURVEILLANCE / INCLEMENT WEATHER PATROL
A Surveillance or Inclement Weather Patrol must meet all minimum personnel and award requirements as outlined below to be categorised as a surveillance patrol.
Inclement weather is defined as the existence of excessive rain or abnormal climatic conditions (such as hail, snow, cold, high wind, severe dust storm, or any combination of these conditions) where it not reasonable to expect members to deliver a full patrol in those conditions.
A Surveillance or Inclement Weather Patrol shall consist of at least 2 or more financial and proficient surf lifesavers who hold the following surf lifesaving patrol awards:
- 2 x Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) qualified members (older than 17 years of age)
- Side by Side Vehicle Operation (if applicable to the club)
*The above qualifications may be held collectively by the one (1) proficient Bronze Medallion (PSAR CERT II) holder.
A decision to adopt a Surveillance or Inclement Weather Patrol sits with the Patrol Captain once conditions and beach attendance have been assessed. Patrol Captain’s must utilise the following criteria when considering a Surveillance or Inclement Weather Patrol:
- Patrol Flags and Surf Craft Boundary Flags are to be removed from the beach.
- The beach is closed, and surveillance and supervision are required per the Lifesaving Service Agreement.
- The Club Captain or Patrol Captain identify that lifesavers are needed to provide supervision and surveillance for the safety of the public outside the agreed Lifesaving Service Agreement hours.
- A surveillance patrol may continue even after council lifeguard services have left the beach if the Club Captain/Director of Lifesaving or Patrol Captain believe supervision and surveillance is required, based on the number of patrons in the water or at the beach.
- The club Emergency Call-Out Team (ECOT) have been alerted, particularly those members on the ECOT who hold IRB qualifications, should an IRB be required to respond to an emergency incident during the outlined lifesaving service agreement hours.
- Surveillance/Inclement weather patrols are not to occur before dawn or after dusk.
If a Surf Lifesaving Club operates a Surveillance or Inclement Weather Patrol a patrol member must notify the State Operations Centre (SURFCOM) via radio. The State Duty Officer must ensure the Branch Duty Officer is aware of this decision.
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT
| Primary Patrolling Equipment |
|---|
| 2 x Handheld Radios in waterproof bags (both of which must be set to Channel 3 to monitor SurfCom) |
| 1 x Side-by-Side (SSV) or alternative Vehicle (where applicable) |
| 1 x Patrol Shelter or Tent (if applicable) |
| 1 x Pair of binoculars |
| 1 x Rescue Boards |
| 1 x Rescue Tubes |
| 1 x Defibrillator (AED) |
| 1 x Oxygen Resuscitator Kit |
| 1 x First Aid Kit (including Sharps Disposal Bin/Container) |
| 1 x Spinal Board |
| 1 x Whistle per patroller (recommended) |
| 1 x Pair Swim Fins |
| 1 x Loud Hailer/PA System |
| 1 x Emergency Evacuation Alarm (loud hailer applicable) |
| 2 x Signal Flags (orange with blue stripe) |
| 1 x Emergency Evacuation Flag (red and white quartered) |
| 2 x First Aid Bum Bag |
| Access to Sunscreen (min. SPF 30+) |
LIFEGUARD JOINT PATROL
A Lifeguard Joint Patrol must meet all minimum personnel and award requirements as outlined below to be categorised as a Lifeguard Joint Patrol.
A Lifeguard Joint Patrol may be undertaken where the decision to revert to either a Low Patronage or an Inclement Weather / Surveillance Patrol has been agreed. The difference to a Low Patronage or an Inclement Weather / Surveillance Patrol is that a Council lifeguard service is also patrolling alongside a club during the course of the Lifesaving Service Agreement hours and it is deemed more beneficial to have a Powercraft (IRB) remain on duty.
A Lifeguard Joint Patrol shall consist of at least 2 or more financial and proficient surf lifesavers who hold the following surf lifesaving patrol awards:
- 2 x Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) qualified members (1 x older than 17 years of age)
- 1 x Silver Medallion IRB Driver
- 1 x IRB Crew (separate to the holder of the IRB Driver award)
- Side by Side Vehicle Operation (if applicable to the club)
The above qualifications must be held collectively by the two (2) proficient Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) holders. One individual member may not hold both the IRB Driver and IRB Crew qualification.
A decision to adopt a Lifeguard Joint Patrol sits with the Patrol Captain once conditions and beach attendance have been assessed. Patrol Captains must utilise the following criteria:
- It is not during an NSW School Holiday period, unless an exemption is approved by the Branch Director of Lifesaving & State Director of Lifesaving.
- NSW Gazetted Public Holidays during the term of the Lifesaving Service Agreement.
- On days with a forecast maximum temperature of below 28 degrees. The forecast maximum temperature should be taken from the Bureau of Meteorology website for that specific town/location or the nearest coastal town/location to where the patrol will take place.
- Beach attendance has been recorded as less than 25 people (e.g. for a period of 2 hours or more) within the primary patrolling area.
- There are no planned major event expected within the local community that will attract large crowds to that location or stretch of coastline. A major event can be classified as an event that significantly increases the likelihood of an injury or drowning occurring at that patrolled location.
- The club Emergency Call-Out Team (ECOT) are alerted and are available to respond to an emergency incident during the outlined lifesaving service agreement hours.
If a club intends to move to a Lifeguard Joint Patrol the Patrol Captain must notify the State Operations Centre (SURFCOM) via radio. The State Operations Centre must ensure the Branch Director of Lifesaving (or their delegate) is aware of this intention and seek a decision.
If there is a dispute between the Patrol Captain and Branch Director of Lifesaving, the decision of the Branch Director of Lifesaving (or their delegate) will be final.
MINIMUM EQUIPMENT
| Primary Patrolling Equipment |
|---|
| Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB), including 25HP Outboard Motor, Fuel Bladder and accessories |
| 2x Level 50 SLSA approved Lifejackets (PFD) |
| 2 x Handheld Radios in waterproof bags (both of which must be set to Channel 3 to monitor SurfCom) |
| 1 x Side-by-Side (SSV) or alternative Vehicle (where applicable) |
| 1 x Patrol Shelter or Tent (if applicable) |
| 1 x Pair of Binoculars |
| 1 x Defibrillator (AED) (unless lifeguard service are equipped) |
| 1 x Oxygen Resuscitator Kit (unless lifeguard service are equipped) |
| 1 x First Aid Kit (including Sharps Disposal Bin/Container) (unless lifeguard service are equipped) |
| 1 x Spinal Board (unless lifeguard service are equipped) |
| 1 x Loud Hailer/PA System (unless lifeguard service are equipped) |
| 1 x Emergency Evacuation Alarm (loud hailer applicable) (unless lifeguard service are equipped) |
| 2 x Signal Flags (orange with blue stripe) |
| 1 x Emergency Evacuation Flag (red and white quartered) (unless lifeguard service are equipped) |
| 2 x First Aid Bum Bag |
| Access to Sunscreen (min. SPF 30+) |
IMPLEMENTING FLEXIBLE PATROLLING OPTIONS PRIOR TO A PATROL DATE
If weather conditions or other factors as outlined in the above Flexible Patrolling Options can be proven beyond reasonable doubt ahead of the patrol day taking place, then a request to implement one of the outlined options can be sought through the relevant Branch Director of Lifesaving (or their delegate).
Prior approval to implement one of these options should be communicated by the Branch Director of Lifesaving (or their delegate) to the State Operations Centre ahead of the patrol commencing.
FLEXIBLE PATROLLING OPTIONS MATRIX
