Purpose
To outline the minimum types and placement of rescue equipment and lifesaving personnel for general operations.
Policy
Lifesaving services must operate one of the three core patrol types.
A sub-patrol type must only be established in addition to a core patrol and cannot operate independently of a core patrol.
Procedure
Patrol Types
The core patrol types and the three sub-patrol types are:
| Core Patrols | Sub-Patrols |
|---|---|
| 1. Base Patrol | a) Roving Patrol b) Outpost Patrol c) Satellite Patrol |
| 2. Incliment Weather Patrol | |
| 3. Beach Closed Patrol | |
| 4. Surveillance Patrol |
Base Patrol
Definition: A Base Patrol covers the primary and secondary patrolling areas for a lifesaving service established at all times and dates as identified in the Lifesaving Service Agreement. A Base Patrol must meet all minimums for personnel and equipment as stated below to have a status be considered ‘beach open’.
A Base Patrol may be supported by multiple Sub Patrols to effectively manage risks during beach operations as identified in the services Patrol Operations Manual.
Lifesaving Personnel and Qualifications (minimum)
A volunteer surf club patrol shall consist of the following minimum financially current personnel who are proficient in the minimum qualifications listed below:
- 3 x Bronze Medallion (Cert II) qualified members
- 1x Silver Medallion Basic Beach Management or Silver Medallion Patrol Captain *
- 1x Advanced Resuscitation Techniques *
- 1x Silver Medallion IRB Driver *
- 1x IRB Crew *
*The above qualifications may be held collectively by the 3 x Bronze 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 of the above minimum requirements.
Should an outpost or satellite patrol be established, the minimums and resources above must be maintained at the Base Patrol, this excludes an IRB if the primary patrols IRB can respond in a timely manner.
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 all Surf Life Saving patrols.
| Primary Patrolling Equipment | Primary Patrolling Signage |
|---|---|
| Pair of RED and YELLOW feathered patrol flags (base frames optional) | 2x “Rescue Craft Access Area” mobile signs (IRB/RWC operating zone) |
| Pair of BLACK and WHITE quartered flags (surfcraft prohibited signage attached) | 2x “Swimming Not Advised” mobile signs |
| Inflatavle Rescue Boat (IRB), including 25HP outboard motor, fuel bladder and accessories | 2x “Beach closed” mobile signs |
| 2x Level 50 SLSA approved lifejackets (PFD) | 2x “Blue Bottle” mobile signs |
| 4x Handheld radios in waterproof bags (2 of which must be set to Channel 3 to monitor SurfCom by the Patrol Captain and/or Patrol Vice-Captain, the other 2 must be set to Channel 2, Patrol) | 1x “Red/Dangerous Conditions (Beach Closed)” mobile sign |
| 1x Side-by-Side (SSV) or alternative Vehicle (where applicable) | Primary Patrolling Resources |
| 1x Patrol shelter or tent (including sufficient anchors/tie-downs) | SLSNSW Standard Operating Procedures (access online version is suitable) |
| 1x Pair of binoculars | Patrol Operations Manual (electronic copy suitable) |
| 2x Rescue boards | Patrol Log (Operations App) or Patrol Log Book |
| 3x Rescue tubes | Incident Logs (Operations App) or Incident Log Book |
| 1x Defibrillator (AED) | IRB Log (Operations App) or IRB Log Book |
| 1x Oxygen Resuscitator Kit | Radio Log |
| 1x First Aid Kit (including Sharps Disposal Bin/Container) | |
| 1x Spinal board | |
| 1x Whistle per patroller (recommended) | Optional Patrolling Equipment |
| 2x Pair swim fins | Patrol Information Board |
| 1x Loud hailer/PA system | |
| 1x Emergency Evacuation Alarm (loud hailer applicable) | |
| 2x Signal Flags (orange with blue stripe) | |
| 1x Emergency evacuation flag (red and white quartered) | Process |
| 2x First aid bum bag | 1. Refer to PSSOP 7.1-7.5 |
| Access to sunscreen (min. SPF 30+) | 2. Should a Sub-Patrol be required, refer to the Sub-Patrol section in following pages |
Satellite Patrol – Minimum Equipment
- Red and Yellow Feathered Patrol Flags
- Black and White Chequered Surfcraft Boundary Flags
- 2x Handheld Radios in Waterproof Bags
- Tower, Trailer, Tent, SSV or Shading
- 1x Pair of Binoculars
- 1x Rescue Board
- 1x Rescue Tube
- 1x First Aid Kit
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 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 on Rescue Board), at the waters 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 the ‘rescue ready’ position.
- First Aid Kits, Oxygen Resuscitation Kit, Spinal Board and the Defibrillator Kit are to be kept in the Patrol Area/SSV – easily accessible at all times (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 in between flags.
- 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 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 Patrol
Inclement Weather Patrol
Definition: An Inclement Weather Patrol is a ‘downgraded’ Patrol, operated when services are exposed to extreme or poor weather conditions, irrespective of the surf conditions.
The purpose of an InclementWeather Patrol is to ensure the welfare of the patrolling members and may be temporary in nature.
Minimum Personnel
As per Base Patrol
Minimum Equipment
As per Base Patrol
Process
- Patrol Captain to conduct risk assessment to ascertain if an Inclement Weather Patrol is suitable.
- All equipment (including Patrol Flags) should remain functional, available for immediate use (rescue ready) and in position at the scheduled time and remain on duty throughout the duration of the operational hours.
- Patrol Captain does not need to advise SurfCom that the service is switching to operating an Inclement Weather Patrol.
- Where an assessment has been conducted of the patrolling area and no beach patrons have been identified, all patrolling members may seek refuge in a Club House/ building.
- Constant visual surveillance of primary and secondary patrolling areas must be maintained.
- At any point during an Inclement Weather Patrol, public may choose to enter the flagged area. When this occurs, lifesavers must be in a position to provide immediate emergency response.
Beach Closed Patrol
Definition: A Beach Closed Patrol is a Base Patrol with a closed swimming area. The swimming area may be closed for situations such as dangerous conditions or an emergency. This indicates that a swimming area is not safe for the general public.
A Beach Closed Patrol includes all minimum personnel and all minimum equipment with the exception of patrol flags.
Minimum Personnel
As per Base Patrol
Minimum Equipment
As per Base Patrol with patrol with Patrol and Surfcraft boundary flags removed
Process
- Patrol Captain to conduct risk assessment to ascertain if a ‘Beach Closed Patrol’ is suitable.
- All equipment should remain functional, available for immediate use (rescue ready) and in position at the scheduled time and remain on duty throughout the duration of the operational hours.
- Patrol Flags and Surfcraft Boundary Flags are to be removed from the beach and/or laid flat on the sand in their current locations to signal to the public that the beach is closed.
- Mobile warning/hazard signage – “Swimming not advised” signage should be displayed in suitable positions including the area where the patrolled swimming area may have been.
- Patrol Captain to advise SurfCom, preferably via the Operations App, that the service is now operating a ‘Beach Closed Patrol’. If the Operations App is not working/available patrol captain to advise SurfCom via radio.
- Lifesavers must maintain an effective position to provide surveillance of the patrolling area and an emergency response if required. If a Beach Closed Patrol operates for an extended period, the Patrol Captain shall ensure that an effective rotation roster is in place for this duty.
- During a Beach Closed Patrol, public are to be advised that the swimming area has been closed and for their own safety they should not enter the water. Roving patrols can be used to ensure beach visitors receive the message clearly.
- Patrol Captain to conduct ongoing risk assessments to ascertain if a ‘Base Patrol’ can be reestablished.
- Patrol Captain to advise SurfCom, preferably via the Operations App, as soon as the service establishes a “Base Patrol” and the beach is re-opened. If the Operations App is not working/available Patrol captain to advise SurfCom via radio.
- Risk vs. Gain – Should someone in the water find themselves in difficulty patrols are to consider their own safety and ensure they are not exposing themselves to an unacceptable level risk. SurfCom should be advised immediately of a person in difficulty who the patrol doesn’t assess as safe to rescue.
Surveillance Patrol
Definition: A Surveillance Patrol is executed when minimum personnel requirements cannot be met for any reason. In this situation available members are required to stay at the beach for the duration of the rostered hours and monitor swimmers. Flags are not erected. SurfCom and the Duty Officer must be informed immediately and additional personnel sought wherever possible to return the beach to Open status.
Sub-Patrol Types
The following sub-patrols may only be implemented in addition to a Base Patrol.
Roving Patrol
Definition: A transient patrol method whereby a mobile lifesaving unit sourced from the Base Patrol, travels along the coastline (via land or water) surveying adjacent areas of water/beach as per services Patrol Operations Manual.
Process
Any one or a combination of the following Roving Patrols may be established as per the needs of the service during patrol operations and at the discretion of the Patrol Captain. Where possible a roving patrol of two patrolling members (ideally one male and one female, is recommended).
Minimum requirements (Foot Patrol)
- 1x Bronze Medallion member
- Radio in waterproof bag
- Rescue tube and fins
- Basic First Aid Kit (e.g. in a bum bag)
Minimum requirements – SSV Roving Patrol
- 1x Bronze Medallion member (who has received SSV induction)
- 1x Rescue Board
- Radio in waterproof bag
- Rescue tube and fins
- First Aid Kit
- Defibrillator
- Spinal Board
- Oxygen Resuscitation Kit
- Adherence to maximum capacity (as per SSV owner’s manual)
Minimum requirements – IRB Roving Patrol
- Qualified Silver Medallion – IRB Driver (proficient)
- Qualified IRB Crewperson (proficient)
- Radio in waterproof bag
- 1x lifejacket for each person
Outpost Patrol
Definition: An Outpost Patrol is established at a point outside the primary and secondary patrolling areas. This sub patrol type has no patrol flags, and operates as an extension of the Base Patrol, as defined within the services’ Patrol Operations Manual to provide surveillance at an area of high risk.
Process
An Outpost Patrol may be established at the discretion of the Patrol Captain. Typically it will replace the need for a roving patrol to the same location and may be established during times of high beach attendance in area with a high risk.
If an Outpost Patrol operates for an extended period, the Patrol Captain shall ensure that an effective rotation roster is in place for this duty.
Minimum requirements
- 2x Bronze (Cert II) members (proficient)
- 1x Rescue Tube and 1x Board
- First Aid Kit
- 1x Handheld Radio in waterproof bags
- Shade
Note: All outpost patrols must be in radio communication with the main patrol at all times.
Satellite Patrol
Definition: A Satellite Patrol is a sub patrol type with patrol flags, and operates as an extension of the Base Patrol, as defined within the services’ Patrol Operations Manual to provide surveillance at an area of high risk. A Satellite Patrol can only operate as an extension of a Base Patrol.
Process
Satellite Patrols may be established on a needs basis (risk based approach based on sunny, high patronage days) determined by the Patrol Captain.
Minimum requirements for a Satellite Patrol are 2 x Bronze (Cert II) members (proficient).