INTRODUCTION
The requirements in this section detail the minimum SLSQ requirements as ratified by the Lifesaving Committee. Additional requirements may be included by the State Lifesaving Officer.
Introduction
Skills Maintenance checks are necessary to:
- Ensure ongoing competency of members in their area of training and activities;
- Maintain the standards of knowledge and expertise of surf life savers;
- Satisfy legal and statutory requirements; and
- Reinforce and maintain our service commitment to the bathing and beach going community.
Members must complete Skills Maintenance annually as awards are deemed proficient until 31 December, unless indicated otherwise in Surfguard.
As stated in SLSA Policy 5.04 Competition Eligibility – Guidelines
Members who are not proficient as of 31 December are not permitted to patrol or compete in any SLSA competition until they have obtained the required proficiency.
Therefore, any member who has not completed annual Skills Maintenance cannot perform patrols or operate rescue craft or compete in surf lifesaving competitions. Note: A member cannot attend a Bronze Medallion Skills Maintenance unless they hold the Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) PUA21012 or PUA20119.
Award Members who are not proficient as of 31 December must complete their proficiency prior to participating in further competition events (and patrol activity).
The Proficiency requalification must be completed by close of “normal” entries to be eligible to participate in a SLS Championship or other event i.e. late entries will not be accepted for members who have not completed their proficiency requalification by the normal close of entries. (see SLSA Policy 5.04 Competition Eligibility – Guidelines for further details on competitor proficiency/patrol requirements).
When Skills Maintenance is successfully completed or a member gains an award after 30 June in a particular year, the award is deemed proficient until 31 December in the following year.
Completion of the Skills Maintenance does not result in the renewal of units of competency. To maintain units of competency for awards the award must be redone in full (as per ARC guidelines, i.e. resuscitation every year and first aid every three years). Skills Maintenance does not fulfil this requirement.
Skills Maintenance checks may be conducted after 31 December subject to the requirements and approval of the Branch Director of Lifesaving.
Each component of a required Skills Maintenance check need only be demonstrated once in any one (12 months) season. For example, a member who has successfully completed the CPR Skills Maintenance component of their Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID] does not need to repeat the CPR Skills Maintenance for the Bronze Medallion.
A fitness test for a higher award such as the Gold Medallion is accepted as evidence that a member has passed the fitness component of the Bronze Medallion (run/swim/run) proficiency.
It is expected that all patrolling members maintain their minimum fitness levels for the awards that they wish to remain proficient in and a member may be requested at any time during the season to complete additional Skills Maintenance checks by their club, or authorised SLSQ official. A member who fails Skills Maintenance at any time during the season has their awards deemed non-proficient until such time as another Skills Maintenance check is completed successfully. Further, this member cannot participate in patrol activities or compete at carnivals until the Skills Maintenance has been completed successfully.
AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT SKILLS MAINTENANCE
Skills Maintenance can be conducted and recorded as completed for the following awards: Surf Rescue Certificate, Bronze Medallion, Qld Observers, Radio, Resuscitation [AID], Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID] by
Assessor for awards in which they are endorsed SLSQ assessors
Training Officer for awards in which they are endorsed SLSQ training officers
Endorsed Person for awards in which they have been endorsed
For all other awards, an assessor must conduct the Skills Maintenance. (e.g. IRB Crew and Driver awards can only be completed in the presence of a proficient IRB Trainer/Assessor).
Endorsed person must:
- Be a minimum of 18 years of age
- Be proficient in the award for which they seek endorsement
- Have completed the previous season’s skills maintenance
- Have undertaken a skills maintenance induction conducted by the CTO (or Assessor delegated by CTO) covering
- How to conduct the skills maintenance
- Skills maintenance documentation and administration requirements
- Read, understood, and signed the Endorsed Delegate Code of Conduct (TOM Section 22.1)
- Signed copies code of conduct are to be stored at the club for 18 months
- Be proposed by the club CTO
- Be listed on the Skills Maintenance Endorsed Delegate Record form that has been signed by the CTO
- This form be forwarded to the relevant branch to raise the form 14 and allocate the award
- Be re-endorsed annually if they wish to continue in this role
Instructions:
- The CTO is to list the proposed delegates full name and mark them for the appropriate awards they are to be endorsed for and include the date they completed the previous season’s Skills Maintenance and conducting Skills Maintenance Requirements Induction completed.
A copy of the completed form is to then be forwarded to your Branch office to raise the necessary award and allocate the award. The original form must be stored at the club for 18 months.
SKILLS MAINTENANCE RECORD KEEPING
Clubs are required to submit to the branch/regional office:
- A Master Attendance Sheet, all candidates must have signed the Master Attendance Sheet as proof of attending on the specific date; and
- Award proficiency assessment Form 14, signed by the club CTO with the names of all endorsed delegates/assessors from that date listed in the comments box.
- This season will see the continuation of use of the ‘Assessing’ app. Available on the App Store by searching ‘Assessing’. This app allows Trainers, Assessors and Endorsed persons to access the Skills Maintenance and after completion will push the results direct to SurfGuard*. In these cases, no form 14’s are required. Pool swims, if documented will still need to be retained as usual.
*Proficiencies can be removed after the fact if the member is not eligible, or the club has not completed the correct process.
Please refer to the Assessing App User Guide or review the Assessing App Video Guides for instructions on how set up events and conduct skills maintenance.
Where the paper version is still used a scanned copy of all master attendance sheets and signed Form 14’s must be submitted to branch/regional office within seven working days after completion of the proficiency.
The following documents must be kept by the club for a minimum of 18 months from the date of Skills Maintenance completed or until that proficiency date expires:
- Pool swim document (where required);
- Skills Maintenance record sheets; and
- Evidence of completion of theory paper (either hard copy or online completion certificate print out or eLearning completion report).
COMPLETING SKILLS MAINTENANCE OUTSIDE OF OWN CLUB
Queensland members undertaking Skills Maintenance outside of their own club but within their own branch must advise their Club Captain/CTO/administrator and nominate which club they will be doing Skills Maintenance with.
Club members wishing to do Skills Maintenance outside of their own branch or interstate will need prior approval from the Branch Director of Lifesaving and must also advise their Club Captain/CTO/administrator and nominate which club they will be doing Skills Maintenance with.
Queensland members who undertake Skills Maintenance outside of Queensland will still be required to complete any additional Queensland requirements before patrolling in Queensland.
ANNUAL AND IN-DEPTH SKILLS MAINTENANCE
If a member has completed Skills Maintenance in an award within the previous two seasons an annual Skills Maintenance is able to be undertaken.
If a member has not completed Skills Maintenance requirements in any award for a period of three or more consecutive years, they are required to complete an in-depth Skills Maintenance. These members must also complete any update or introduction of new or changed units of competency or qualifications.
- For a period of three or four consecutive years: they must complete an in-depth Skills Maintenance, a full assessment, or be retrained in order to complete their Skills Maintenance and be considered proficient in the award. A gap analysis must be conducted to determine what differences there are between the award as it currently stands and what skill and knowledge the award consisted of at the time the member was last proficient. If the gap analysis identifies a gap in skill and/or knowledge, the candidate may be required to undertake training and assessment in the gap(s) identified. For example – a member having obtained their Bronze Medallion when use of an automated external defibrillator was not included in the Bronze Medallion, the member would have to be trained and assessed in this knowledge and skill; and
- For a period of five or more consecutive years: they must undergo the full course assessment. As per recognition of prior learning (RPL) guidelines, members are only required to complete training deemed necessary by an assessor, they are not necessarily required to complete all course training. A gap analysis must still be conducted for each individual candidate as per above.
For members who are deployed overseas for SLS, they can apply to their state education manager to have their Skills Maintenance recorded as complete. These members will generally still be delivering SLSA awards while on assignment, and therefore maintaining the currency of the skills in these awards.
SKILLS MAINTENANCE THEORY REQUIREMENTS
Skills Maintenance Online Theory is to be completed by all patrolling members regardless of awards held. The knowledge required to complete the questions is contained in the online learning Skills Maintenance modules.
Members are required to complete the annual skills maintenance online component. The online component is broken up into two sections: interactive online training and theory assessment questions. Where members don’t have access to a device to complete this clubs are asked to make this facility/ support available to them to complete the online theory prior to the completion of the practical skills demonstration. The following online components will be required for SLS awards this season:
- Watch a short video message
- Answer relevant theory questions for award
Online Skills Maintenance Theory
Members are required to complete the skills maintenance theory component online, as assessment marking and record keeping is automated and reduces the burden placed upon SLS trainers and assessors. If a member is unable to complete this component online, they should speak with their club training officer. Skills Maintenance can be found on the SLSQ hub.
REASONABLE ADJUSTMENT
Reasonable Adjustment for Skills Maintenance
The principle of reasonable adjustment means ‘to alter or change the conditions under which someone performs a task to enable them to demonstrate a similar level of competence as any other person performing the same task’.
To make a reasonable adjustment, read the assessment carefully and consider the following:
- The requirements of the task. What is this particular task actually assessing?
- The conditions under which the task is to be performed. If the conditions at the time are different, will this make the task harder?
- The ability to replicate the skill being demonstrated. Would the member be able to do the assessment again at another time without the adjustment?
The conditions may be altered so long as the requirements remain the same. For example, the requirements of the run-swim-run are to demonstrate an individual’s ability to:
- Run a medium distance on the sand;
- Swim a medium distance in the surf; and
- Perform both at a reasonable pace.
If the surf conditions are moderate-to-rough on the day you are conducting the activity, you may make a reasonable adjustment along the following lines:
* Adjustment Option 1: allow extra time for your members to complete the activity. How much time you allow is up to your discretion and judgement – you must feel confident that the members are able to demonstrate the skills in the time you allow. Too much time will not meet the criteria of ‘reasonable pace’;- Adjustment Option 2: reduce the distance members are required to swim. Again, you will need to use your discretion and judgement – is the distance you have determined sufficient to demonstrate competence in surf swimming?
Reasonable adjustment in the run-swim-run cannot be made for people who are not able to run on sand.
Surf lifesaving activities require a reasonable level of fitness and physical ability. While SLSA encourages participation from all members of the community, we expect that active patrolling lifesavers are physically capable of walking and running on sand when required and swimming in the surf with confidence.
If you are unsure about whether a reasonable adjustment can be made, you should seek a second opinion from another assessor.
Be sure to make a note of any reasonable adjustments you have made on your final paperwork and in the comments box of the SurfGuard Assessment Request.
AQUATIC AWARD SKILLS MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC):
- Pool swim; required only if member did not complete Skills Maintenance in the previous season or completing after 31st December:
- appropriate pool swim must be completed prior to attempting the surf components of the Skills Maintenance;
- conducted in a pool of no less than 25 metres;
- time requirement of 200m in five minutes or less; and
- swim fins or swimming aids are NOT permitted under any circumstances.
Bronze Medallion: Note: must hold the Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue) PUA21012 or PUA20119 to complete the Skills Maintenance and requires completion of:
- Theory (watch video message and answer relevant Bronze theory assessment questions);
- Pool swim; required only if member did not complete Skills Maintenance in the previous season or completing after 31st December:
- appropriate pool swim must be completed prior to attempting the surf components of the Skills Maintenance;
- conducted in a pool of no less than 25 metres;
- time requirement of 400m in 9 minutes or less; and
- swim fins or swimming aids are NOT permitted under any circumstances.
Theory Component
Members are required to complete the skills maintenance theory component online, as assessment marking and record keeping is automated and reduces the burden placed upon SLS trainers and assessors. If a member is unable to complete this component online, they should speak with their club training officer.
Bronze Medallion, Surf Rescue Certificate award members must complete the following:
• Watch a video update outlining changes to skills maintenance requirements, as well as any changes to SLS procedures or ANZCOR guidelines (approx. 3 minutes).
• For states that will be introducing Lifesaving CPR, two eLearning module outlining Lifesaving CPR techniques (approx. 20 minutes).
Bronze Medallion (BM) and Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC)
1. Run-Swim-Rescue (timed)
100m Run – 100m Swim in 3:30 minutes or less
• The run distance to be taken from waist deep water, e.g., the run is from a flag, around a marker and to waist deep water. The swim component is to a marker 100m from waist deep water.
• The swim leg is conducted with a rescue tube attached to the rescuer. The use of fins is optional and permitted.
• Patients will be waiting in the water in line with the 100m marker. Rescuer secures the conscious patient with the tube. The timed component of the Run-Swim-Rescue finishes at this point.
• Rescuer swims 100m to return to the beach with the patient.
• Rescuer assists the patient to the water’s edge.
2. Signals
Demonstrate knowledge of signals. The demonstration must include the following:
• Beach to water signals
• Water to beach signals
3. Resuscitation (CPR)
For Season 2025/26, Lifesaving CPR will be introduced and demonstrated in some states.
For states that will be introducing Lifesaving CPR:
• The face-to-face training for the new Lifesaving CPR techniques will fulfil the member’s requirements for their annual Resuscitation skills update. No further tasks are required.
Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue (SMAR)
Proficiency is required in the prerequisites for this award to remain current. The prerequisites are:
• Complete a 400m swim in 8 minutes or less in a swimming pool of no less than 25m length
• Hold and be proficient in the SLSA Bronze Medallion [and hold the Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)].
Gold Medallion*(Advanced Lifesaving) requires:
A members must be proficient in each of the following awards:
- Bronze Medallion/Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue);
- Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID] / Advanced Resuscitation Techniques
- First Aid[AID] / First Aid
- If any of these award proficiencies lapse during the season, even after successful completion of the Gold Medallion proficiency, then the member will become non-proficient in the Gold Medallion, until such time as the lapsed award has been updated.
- Pool Swim
- The member must complete an 800 m swim in 14 minutes or less in a swimming pool of no less than 25 m
- The pool swim must be completed before any other component of a Gold Medallion skills maintenance.
- Mission Test (timed)
- The distance will be 400 m swim, 800 m run, 400 m board paddle, and 800 m run
- The time will be 25 minutes or less
- The run distance to be taken from waist-deep water, e.g., the run is from a flag, around a marker and to waist-deep water, the aquatic components are from waist-deep water around two swimming buoys and back to waist-deep water
- Aquatic course must be around two swimming buoys.
- Rescue
- Demonstrate a board rescue according to SLSA operating procedures in the current SLSA Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue training manual. The victim should be 200 m out to sea
- Demonstrate a tube rescue according to SLSA operating procedures in the current SLSA Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue training manual. The victim should be 100 m out to sea and the member should use swim fins during this rescue.
- Complex Rescue Scenario (may include one of the rescues above)
- Demonstrate a complex rescue scenario as set by the delegated assessor according to the SLSA operational procedures in the current SLSA Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue training manual
- The rescue must assess the following events:
- negotiating the surf zone
- securing the patient/s
- returning to shore without losing the victim/s
- calling for assistance
- performing emergency care as required by the victim/s.
EMERGENCY CARE AWARD SKILLS MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Completion of the Skills Maintenance does not result in renewal/reissuing of units of competency.
Resuscitation requires completion of:
Theory:
- Resuscitation award members must complete the following:
• Watch a video update outlining changes to skills maintenance requirements, as well as any changes to SLS procedures or ANZCOR guidelines (approx. 3 minutes).
• For states that will be introducing Lifesaving CPR, two eLearning module outlining Lifesaving CPR techniques (approx. 20 minutes).
Practical:
• The face-to-face training for the new Lifesaving CPR techniques will fulfil the member’s requirements for their annual Resuscitation skills update.
Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID]/Advanced Resuscitation Techniques requires completion of:
1. Resuscitation (CPR)
See Bronze Medallion and SRC Skills Maintenance Resuscitation (CPR) component above for requirements. A member is proficient in this component of the ART Skills Maintenance if they have completed the relevant BM and SRC Skills Maintenance.
2. Advanced Resuscitation
Team CPR scenario including primary assessment (DRSABCD) – to include resuscitation methods using a resuscitation mask or face shield, AED, oropharyngeal airways and oxygen supplement (oxygen cylinder connected to bag-valve-mask resuscitator on an unconscious patient).
3. Bag-valve-mask resuscitator
Correct setup, check and use of bag valve mask resuscitator
- The deadline for the completion of the upgrade from Advanced Resuscitation Techniques (ART [AID]) – HLTAID007 to Advanced Resuscitation Techniques (ART) – HLTAID015 has been extended from July 2024 to July 2026 (unless a new training package is released prior to this date and HLTAID015 is superseded).
OTHER AWARD SKILLS MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Qld Observers
- Signals – demonstrate all signals correctly;
#Observers must also complete a proficiency in any other patrolling awards they hold (i.e. Radio, Resuscitation, ART etc.)
Radio Operators Certificate
This is the stand-alone SLSA Radio Operations award if they have completed the BM and SRC Skills Maintenance. Members who hold only the Radio Operators award are required to complete:
- Radio – demonstrate knowledge of:
- pre-operation checks
- knowledge of local operating channels and uses
- radio check with Surfcom/IRB:
- rescue procedures and requests for assistance
For those who use this award as part of their operation within SurfCom, additional assessment may be included at a local level.
QLD Marine Stinger
**QLD Marine Stinger will be required the completion of drag and risk assessment. THIS AWARD can be completed on Patrol. Attendance sheet and evidence is to be submitted to branch for processing.
SSV, Tractor and 4WD Inductions
- These awards do not have an annual Skills Maintenance requirement but to hold these awards a member’s Australian driver licence must be current. * A member’s driver licence must be sighted annually for currency.
- A member who does not hold a current Australian driver licence cannot operate an SSV, tractor or 4WD. This includes a suspended or cancelled licence.
- With the SSV Operator Induction Award replacing the ATV Operator Induction all members should now hold the SSV award before being eligible to drive the vehicles.
Silver Medallion Beach Management OR Silver Medallion Patrol Captain
All members must have completed Skills Maintenance in one of the following awards:
- Bronze Medallion/Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue);
- First Aid;
- Radio Operator; and
- Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID] / Advanced Resuscitation Techniques
POWERCRAFT AWARD SKILLS MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Skills maintenance required for Powercraft awards is a ‘one off’ skills maintenance check to be observed by an endorsed person for the respective award in order for a member’s related Powercraft award(s) to be deemed proficient.
IRB Crew and Silver Medallion IRB Driver:
Skills Maintenance in IRB crew and Driver awards can only be assessed by an IRB Trainer/Assessor.
Specialist Powercraft and RWC Operator:
Skills Maintenance for specialist groups shall be determined by the Operations Support panel and as approved by the State Lifesaving Officer OR hold the respective TAF award i.e. Trainer/Assessor RWC.
All members must have completed Skills Maintenance in the pre-requisite awards as follows:
IRB Crew:
- Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue); and
- Proficient Bronze Medallion.
Silver Medallion IRB Driver:
- Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue);
- Proficient Bronze Medallion;
- Proficient IRB Crew; and
- Hold a current marine licence.
RWC Operator:
- Work based assessment
- Personal Water Craft (jet ski) License
- Cert II in Public Safety (aquatic Rescue) (Bronze Medallion)
- C Class Driver’s License (or interstate equiv.)
IRB Crew Certificate requires completion of:
- Participation in IRB Discussion conducted by IRB Assessors regarding IRB Operational requirements including a knowledge of the SLSQ Powercraft Safety Management System located in Section 14 of the POM starting on page 2; and
- Demonstrating effective and safe crewing practice and ability including:
Demonstrate effective and safe crewing practice and ability including:
• Crewing positions
- Rise Crewing Position
- Standing Crewing Position
- Lock-in Position
- Emergency Punch Position
• Re-boarding the IRB
• Awareness of Powercraft Code of Conduct.
Silver Medallion IRB Driver requires completion of:
- Participation in IRB Discussion conducted by IRB Assessors regarding IRB Operational requirements including a thorough understanding of the SLSQ Powercraft Safety Management System located in Section 14 of the POM starting on page 2; and
Demonstrate the ability to apply safe driving practice including but not limited to:
• 1 o’clock wave negotiation
• Parallel running
• Awareness of Powercraft Code of Conduct
TRAINER AND ASSESSOR AWARD SKILLS MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Training Officer
Ongoing endorsement is dependent on the trainer meeting all the following criteria:
- Remaining currently proficient in the SLSA award and the holding the current unit/s or qualification aligned to that award;
- Remaining proficient in contemporary training and assessment practices and holding the relevant units of competency or qualification required in the standards for RTOs; and
- Complete online TAF module and active participation in the annual SLSQ TAF proficiency.
- ECT Trainer – must also attend annual ECT Proficiency and hold a current HLTAID0009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Assessor
Ongoing endorsement is dependent on the Assessor meeting all the following criteria:
- Remaining currently proficient in the SLSA award and the holding the current unit/s or qualification aligned to that award;
- Remaining proficient in contemporary training and assessment practices and holding the relevant units of competency or qualification required in the Standards for RTOs; and
- Complete online TAF module and active participation in the annual SLSQ TAF proficiency.
- ECT Assessor– must also attend annual ECT Proficiency and hold a current HLTAID0009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Facilitator
Ongoing endorsement is dependent on the assessor meeting all the following criteria:
- Remaining currently proficient in the SLSA award and the holding the current unit/s or qualification aligned to that award;
- Hold the current Certificate IV in Training and Assessment with the relevant units of competency required in the standards for RTOs
- Remaining proficient in contemporary training and assessment practices and holding the relevant units of competency or qualification required in the Standards for RTOs; and
*Complete online TAF module and active participation in the annual SLSQ TAF proficiency.
- ECT Facilitator – must also attend annual ECT Proficiency
- Have trained and assessed at least one course in the chosen award in the past 2 seasons.
Endorsed Delegate – SSV and Tractor
- Remaining currently proficient in the SLSA award and the holding the current unit/s or qualification aligned to that award;
- Proposed annually by club Chief Training Officer (CTO) to conduct inductions for club members for SSV and/or Tractor awards only.
- Endorsed Delegates must be re-endorsed annually and meet the same criteria.
All trainers, assessors and facilitators must attend a TAF Proficiency annually prior to 31 December.
RPL BACK TO A LESSER AWARD
Where a member can no longer meet the physical proficiency requirement of their award, they can be RPL back to a lesser award for example:
- If they can no longer complete the timed run-swim-run for the Bronze but can achieve the SRC R-S-R requirements they be issued with an SRC OR
- A member can no longer (or temporarily) meet all the physical requirements or the Bronze and/or SRC they be issued with the observers and radio operators award.
This is to be done by completing the RPL Form – SRC, Observer, Radio and submitting this to SLSQ for processing
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