28.45. LGS NSI 045 Holidays

Introduction

During Summer/Christmas, September/October, Easter Holidays there is to be Eight (8) lifeguards on North Stradbroke Island. This is due to the large amounts of people that visit the island.

Policy

Lifeguards are to provide three (3) flagged areas on three (3) beaches over this time. There is to be Three (3) lifeguards at Main Beach, Three (3) lifeguards at Cylinder Beach, One (1) lifeguard at Adder Rock and One (1) Roving lifeguard. Beaches are to open between 8am – 6pm in the summer holidays and 8am – 5pm during Easter and September/ October holidays. Lifeguards will work eight (8) hr shifts during this time and shifts will be staggered.

Procedures

1. Two (2) Lifeguards start at 6am, One at Cylinder and One at Main Beach. Primary Duty is for surveillance of Beach and Surf, Other important duties include but are not limited to- Preparing for the day ahead, ensuring equipment is checked and operational, first aid re-stocking, re- fueling, removing rubbish and hazards safely from the beach, monitoring the mornings surf and beach conditions, Radios/ Mobile phones charged and operational, Eskies with ice, organizing Adder Rock equipment and putting Cylinder and Main Beach Jet ski on standby. This shift is not to be used to make your breakfast or lunch for the day.
2. There is to be three (3) lifeguards (one on each beach) that start at 7:45 and ensure everything is ready for Flags to be erected at 8am. During the Easter and September/ October holidays there will be two at Cylinder and Main Beach.
3. Lifeguards are to set up as normal and commence their daily duties i.e. radio sign on with LIMSOC.
4. Two (2) lifeguards (Main Beach and Cylinder) are to make their way to the beach at 8:45 ready to start duties at 9:00. These two lifeguards have a lunch break 1pm to 2pm.
5. Three (3) lifeguards (Main Beach, Cylinder and Adder Rock) are to make their way to the beach at 9:45 to start duties at 10am. Once the third lifeguard arrives (cylinder and main) please commence a mini rotation system of 1. At flagged area 2. Rescue board and radio in water 3. Rove to headlands. During the Easter and September/ October Holidays the third Lifeguard Starts at 9:00am.
6. One (1) of the lifeguards will become a roving lifeguard. Usually from Adder. (Refer to Roving procedures).
7. Due to conditions and beach populations at peak periods, lifeguards may request the need of an extra lifeguard, lifeguards may shuffle between Cylinder Beach and Main Beach because of this need, this decision will be made by the senior lifeguard.
8. Lifeguards are to continue with their duties throughout the day.
9. The lifeguards that started at 6am is to be ready to leave the beach at 2pm unless they are requested to stay by the other lifeguard. This will only happen if there are large amounts of people swimming.
10. If this does occur the Lifeguard Supervisor should be notified.
11. When crowds ease off after the lunch time period, Lifeguards are to update log books, basic neat and tidy of vehicle and equipment, get rid of rubbish before the starting lifeguard finishes for the day.
12. On Closure, Lifeguards are to inform members of the public that they will be leaving the beach fifteen (15) minutes prior to their departure.
13. Lifeguards are to remove flags between 1745 and 1800.
14. Inform any members of the public that they are now swimming at their own risk and the lifeguard service will commence at 8:00am the next morning. Lifeguards will have fifteen (15) minutes to wash and clean, restock Lifeguard equipment ready for the next day’s service.
15. Prior to the working week Senior Lifeguards will send out a local roster. The lifeguard supervisor needs to be informed of this on the first day of the service. This will assist the supervisor with pays and any problems that may occur on the island knowing who is where. If Lifeguards require a particular shift for a legitimate reason they need to inform Senior Lifeguard before local roster is sent out.