24.20. LGS RWL 4.3 Senior Lifeguard Duties

Introduction

The role of the Senior Lifeguard at Riverway is to maintain the professional image and service provided by the Australian Lifeguard Service. As such, it is important that the role be clearly defined, and the responsibilities and requirements be outlined so that Senior Lifeguard’s approach the role with no ambiguity.

The below is aimed at giving all Senior Lifeguard’s an outline of how to approach the role.

Senior Lifeguard Responsibilities

The primary role of Senior Lifeguard is to ensure that the service provided at Riverway is in line with the Riverway Parklands Local Operating Procedures, Lifeguard Operations Manual and the SLSQ Lifeguard Agreement. These responsibilities will be outlined and clearly defined below so all Senior Lifeguard’s have a clear idea of what their role is.

Rotations

It is the responsibility of the Senior Lifeguard to make sure that rotations are taking place in a timely manner with Lifeguards standing together no longer than one minute. If the Senior Lifeguard notices that lifeguards are standing together for a prolonged period, then the Lifeguard must advise the lifeguards to separate and continue with their rotations. Senior Lifeguard must ensure that there is never 3 lifeguard’s standing together or 2 sets of 2 lifeguards. These procedures should be followed as per Local Operations Manual. Refer to 5.05 Rotating

Breaks

Every Staff member that works more than 5 hours is entitled to an unpaid 30 minute break. During the week this break set at designated times to ensure it does not interrupt services. Breaks on weekends must be arranged by the Senior Lifeguard and should be done taking into account manpower levels, pool visitation and operational requirements (incidents). In addition to this, every employee is entitled to a 10 minute rest pause during their patrolling shift. If working more than 7.6 hours they are entitled to a second 10 minute rest pause. These two can be taken as one 20 minute rest pause when appropriate. During these breaks rotations are not to take place. It is the responsibility of the Senior Lifeguard to make sure that these breaks run according to time.

Non-arrivals to shifts

During the week the Lifeguard Supervisor will take care of non-arrivals. On weekends the Senior Lifeguard will have a more active role in this. If there is a non-arrival Senior Lifeguard should check the roster in the FA room and call the lifeguard who has not shown up. If you can reach them find out where they are and if they are coming and notify the supervisor of this. If you cannot get in contact with the lifeguard than you need to call the North Barrier Supervisor and inform them there has been a non-arrival and that you cannot get in contact with the lifeguard who has not arrived. The supervisor will then arrange for someone else to fill this shift and ring control to inform the Senior Lifeguard of who is doing this shift.

Setting up

It is important that the pool area is set up and operational within half an hour of duties starting. This includes all signs changed, buggy on standby and FA kits and soft packs checked. The Senior Lifeguard should ensure that once these jobs have been completed that they complete the Senior Lifeguard checklist and return key 4 to control. The equipment that needs to be taken out includes the soft pack, FA kit, pelican case, pool scoop, spinal board and board.

Packing Up

Lifeguards are to pack up after the designated finish time. Senior Lifeguard should delegate someone to set up the lifeguards off duty signs, as well as talking to families to let them know the lifeguards are going off duty. When the other lifeguard is doing the signs, the Senior Lifeguard should than pack the buggy up and return to the car park. The lifeguards are then to put away the board, FA kits, pool scoop, pelican case, spinal board and soft pack) back in the first aid room. The Senior Lifeguard will then radio control asking to sign off for the day.

Restricting Shifts

If the Senior Lifeguard deems that due to low numbers they may contact the Riverway supervisor to restrict shifts. If the Riverway Supervisor allows this than the Senior Lifeguard can restrict the shifts of a lifeguard however they must make sure that a minimum of 3 hours has been worked by that guard. Shifts cannot be restricted without approval of the supervisor.

Reports and Stats

It is the responsibilities that the Senior Lifeguard makes sure that all reports are filled out at the end of their shifts. This includes the stats for the day, the daily summary and the Senior Lifeguard checklist.

Major Incidents

The Senior Lifeguard should report any major incidents that happen to the North Barrier Lifeguard Supervisor after they have been concluded. The type of incidents that should be reported include, drowning’s, resuscitations, assaults on lifeguards or any other incident that the Senior Lifeguard deems will require further follow up. If the North Barrier Supervisor cannot be reached than the Head of Lifeguard Operations is to be contacted. The Senior Lifeguard is responsible for holding the Surf Com Radio and phone