BEACH PATROLS GENERAL

*BEACH PATROLS GENERAL

1. Patrol members shall ensure the patrol area is located in the safest area for swimming.
2. The patrol area should be opened as wide as possible where conditions and resources allow.
3. Patrol members shall ensure the beach is in a safe and clean condition prior to setting up of the patrol area. Particular attention should be made to hazardous items such as broken glass, bottles, needle sticks, branches, floating debris, etc.
4. Patrol members shall be assigned patrol duties, e.g., patrol water’s edge, standby at IRB, elevated position, perform public relations duties etc. Patrol members shall not congregate in the central patrol arena.
5. Patrol members shall be rotated on a regular basis, i.e., every 20 minutes, to minimise fatigue or boredom and increase patrol member efficiency.
6. Non-members are not permitted in the patrol arena except in an emergency.
7. Remote/outpost patrols should be equipped with a basic first aid kit (refer to section 11) and handheld radio as well as minimum rescue equipment.
8. A patrol member shall be stationed in an elevated position at all times during patrol when swimmers are in the water and have the beach area under observation at all times.
9. Appropriately designated patrol members (e.g., IRB driver) should be contactable via radio (refer to section 16) at all times during patrol.
10. Patrol flags and rescue equipment shall be positioned as close to the waters edge as possible.
11. Patrol members shall continue to move the patrol flags and equipment with the rise and fall of the tide.
12. All patrols shall ensure members patrol the waters edge (i.e., water line patrol activity whilst swimmers are in the water).
13. All active members in attendance at a surf club may be called on to assist in beach patrol work or in a rescue situation.
14. All members are to promote an image of professionalism, vigilance and service at all times.
15. Where required, patrol members shall erect council ordinance signage for that respective area i.e., no dogs permitted, dogs on leash, etc.
16. Use of personal mobile/smart phone/smart devices for purposes other than patrol is unacceptable.
17. Patrol members shall not participate in Surf Sport training while signed onto patrol. Patrol scenario-based skills development and relevant refreshing of CPR and patrol knowledge is acceptable when conditions and beach attendance allow at the discretion of the Patrol Captain.