LGS SB 5.24 First Aid Response to Incidents Outside of Operating Areas

Introduction

Lifeguards are positioned around the pool areas (Main Lagoon, Boat Pool, Aquativity) and are to administer first aid at South Bank Parklands to patrons and staff when required. This procedure is in place to help outline the process to respond to areas outside South Bank Parklands jurisdiction. These areas include – the Brisbane River, Victoria Bridge, Goodwill Bridge and South Bank Corporation tenancies. Please refer to LGS SB 1.5 South Bank Site Map and follow the blue border of South Bank Parklands Responsibility.

Land Response

Procedure

When lifeguards receive a request to respond to an incident outside the operating area, lifeguards are to determine whether the incident is life threatening or time critical, and are to report this this information to security control. Please see below information required before responding to incident.

• Incident place and problem
• Conscious/Unconscious (Responsive/Non-Responsive)
• Bleeding Badly – Yes/No
• Does the patient have any weapons on them?

Lifeguards are to gather the information above, and respond safely and not compromise lagoon supervision doing so.

If the danger to the lifeguard’s self, bystanders and other lagoon patrons is acceptable, proceed as per LGS SB 5.22 First Aid Response. If the danger or risk profile of the incident is too high, lifeguards are to request appropriate emergency services in conjunction with security personnel. During this time, lifeguards are to continually monitor the lagoon and reassess if any changes occur.

Brisbane River Response

Introduction

The Brisbane River is brown in colour as it is an estuary river heavily influenced by the tide. Water flows from catchments upstream and as water flows down it brings sediment with it. As the tide comes in from the opposite direction, it causes a lot of turbulence in the water, continually stirring up the sediment, creating poor water clarity and hazardous environments for watercraft and vessels alike.

The area of the Brisbane River along the Clem Jones Promenade is heavy developed with multiple walled constructions, safety fencing, signage, lighting, street furniture, pontoons and ferry terminal infrastructure as well as areas of mud and rocks, at low tide, close to the Promenade wall.

There are times where patrons may enter the river, whether it is jumping in and climbing out multiple times, or try to swim across the river and lifeguards may be called to monitor and assist these patrons.

Procedure

When lifeguards receive notification of an incident in the Brisbane River, lifeguards are to report the incident to security control ASAP with all details for security control to contact emergency services.

Please see below information required before responding to incident.

• Incident place and problem
• Conscious/Unconscious (Responsive/Non-Responsive)
• Bleeding Badly – Yes/No
• Does the patient have any weapons on them?

Lifeguards are to gather the information above, and respond safely and not compromise lagoon supervision doing so.

Lifeguards are to follow the following procedure:

• Lifeguards are to follow Local Operating Procedures to ensure surveillance of the lagoon and pools is not compromised
• The rotating lifeguard is to respond to the location along the Promenade
• The lifeguard is then to radio through the position of the person to security control, if control hasn’t got the person on camera
• Lifeguards are to then try to get the person away from any danger and for either emergency services to collect person or get them close to the pontoons to get them out of the water

Prior to entering the river, lifeguards are to access their skills competent to enter the river safely, as well as conducting a risk-based assessment on the water conditions such as tide, turbulence, debris/rubbish, turbidity and water quality. After conducting these assessments, and with the risk and safety at an acceptable level, lifeguards may enter the river with a rescue board only. Lifeguards are not to enter the river without a rescue board. If the lifeguard is not comfortable with entering the river, they are to radio security control and continue to monitor the situation.