LGOM 013 – Dangerous Marine Creatures - Lifeguard Operations Manual

This guideline provides an overview of the general principles of managing situations involving potentially dangerous marine life.

The following principles are relevant to the management of dangerous marine life:

The safety of the bathing public is the foremost consideration in determining management protocols.
Notwithstanding this there is necessary to recognise the need to be sensitive to environmental concerns.

Factors to be considered include:

Beach visitation trends.
Local aquatic events / activities.
The history of any incidents.
The presence or otherwise of other safety systems.
Strategies employed to minimise the risks associated with potentially dangerous marine animals include:
Abiding by personal safety rules to reduce risk.
Monitoring for the presence of potential hazards by lifesaving services.
The use of barrier systems (i.e. stinger resistant enclosures).
Beach closure or activity restrictions to separate patrons from potential hazards.

Shark Safety Procedure

Actions On Sightings

In the event of a shark sighting the following precautions are recommended:-

Request all swimmers to leave the water
Close the beach to all swimming for a minimum of 60 minutes or until the threat is no longer and post appropriate signage (if specific signage is not available standard “no swimming” and “danger” signs may be utilised).
Advise beach visitors to remain clear of the water.
Do not attempt to kill, capture or injure the animal.
Record as much detail regarding the sighting as possible.

Actions In Event Of Shark Attack

Shark or crocodile attack and power boat injuries can result in massive tissue damage and severe blood loss. The following general treatment applies:-

Bring the patient to the beach as quickly as possible.
Apply immediate first aid.
Co-ordinate hospital transport and pre-hospital emergency care.
Follow precautions outlined in ‘Actions on sightings’
Advise Fisheries Queensland Shark Control Program Manager on the Shark Hotline – 1800 806 891 – as soon as practicable.

Personal Safety

Some simple rules for safe swimming apply to help reduce the risk of incidents involving sharks and humans:

Leave the water if a shark is sighted.
Do not swim or surf after dusk, at night, or before dawn when sharks become more active.
Do not swim or surf in murky or silt-laden waters.
Do not swim in, or at the mouth of, rivers, artificial canals and lakes.
Never swim alone.
Never swim when bleeding.
Do not swim near schools of fish.
Do not swim near, or interfere with, shark control equipment. This includes not using shark control equipment as training buoys.

Shark Control Equipment (Nets and Drum Lines)

A number of incidents have occurred where lifeguards have interfered with shark control equipment without the knowledge of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.

LIFEGUARDS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH ANY EQUIPMENT OR ASSIST IN ANY SITUATION UNLESS IT IS AT THE REQUEST OF, OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH QUEENSLAND BOATING AND FISHERIES PATROL OFFICERS OR THE SHARK CONTRACTOR OR IN THE PREVENTION OF LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE.

If you see any loose equipment particularly in the surf zone or any marine animals trapped, lifeguards should contact the 24hour SHARK HOTLINE 1800 806 891 and follow the instructions received by the duty officer of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.

For further enquiries telephone your local office of the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol office. For more information on the program visit Queensland Government – Shark Control Program Webpage

LS08 – Shark Safety Policy

Crocodile Guidelines

This guideline is used to help recognise and overcome the risks associated with the provision of lifeguard services in regions which crocodiles may inhabit.

For the purposes of this document the word ‘crocodile’ is used in the broad sense to include all crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials. While any of these species has the potential to be dangerous, the risk in Australian waters is most commonly associated with Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodiles.

Estuarine Crocodiles live mainly in the tidal reaches of rivers as well as lagoons, swamps and waterways – up to hundreds of kilometres from the sea. They can occur on beaches and around offshore islands. They are most active at night.

Safety Guidelines
For the full Crocwise safety guidelines visit:
Queensland Government Webpage – Crocodiles Be Croc Wise

The following general safety guidelines apply in crocodile areas and should be promoted to the public
so they can take appropriate self-precautions:

Obey crocodile sign – they are there for your own protection;
Never swim in water where crocodiles may live, even if there is no warning sign present;
When fishing, always stand a few metres back from the water’s edge and never stand on logs or branches overhanging the water;
Never clean fish or discard fish scraps near the water’s edge or at boat ramps;
Stay well back from any crocodile slide marks. Crocodiles may still be close and may approach people and boats;
Never dangle your arms or legs over the side of a boat. If you fall out of a boat, get out of the water as quickly as possible;
Never provoke, harass or interfere with crocodiles—even small ones;
Never feed crocodiles—it is illegal and dangerous;
Camp at least 2 m above the high water mark and at least 50 m from the water’s edge. Avoid places where native animals and domestic stock drink;
Never leave food scraps at your campsite. Always check that previous campers have left no food scraps;
Never prepare food, wash dishes or pursue any other activities near the water’s edge or adjacent sloping banks; and
Be more aware of crocodiles during the breeding season—September to April.