4.9. OBSERVERS COURSE

COURSE SUMMARY
The aim of the Observers course is to develop your knowledge of surf awareness and skills which will enable you to be able to read the surf, identify potential risks and hazards in the surf and identify persons in difficulty in the surf.

UNIT/S OF COMPETENCY

• This award is currently not aligned to any nationally recognised units of competency.
  

PREREQUISITES

• Financial Club Member
• Minimum of 13 years of age on the date of final assessment
  

COURSE OUTCOMES
By the end of this course, you will be should be able to:

• Describe surfing and environmental conditions and hazards
• Communicate using signals
  

LEARNING RESOURCES

• Signal Flags
• Access to Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue 35th Edition Training Manual
• SLSQ Patrol Operations Manual (available on SLSQ APP or hard copy at your club)
• Observers Assessment Portfolio and PowerPoint
  aXcelerate- Resources- Resources Library- Training Related-
• Observer Award Induction Checklist v1.0(currently 2 identical ones in training library)
• SLSQ Observers Certificate- F2F PowerPoint Nov 2020(71 slides)
• SLSQ Observers Certificate- F2F Assessment Portfolio Nov 2021
• SLSQ Observers Certificate- F2F Marking guide Nov 2020
• Rescue Watercraft Part 5- Signals v1.0
  SLSA Members Area- Document Library-
• Signals Poster
  

E-Learning

• Identifying Victims
• Mental Health Awareness
• Rip Currents
• SLS as a Workplace
• Surf Awareness
• Verbal and Non-Verbal Communications
• Water Safety Signals
  

WHO CAN TRAIN & ASSESS

• Trainer Bronze Medallion or Assessor Bronze Medallion
  

ASSESSMENTS

• Assessment is through completion of Assessment Task 1 – Online theory questions through aXcelerate
• Assessment is through completion of Assessment Task 2 – Practical demonstration of signals
• Theory Questions (42)
• Demonstrate Signals (15)
• Completed Induction Checklist
• Observer Award Competency Record
  

SKILLS MAINTENANCE/PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

• For this award to remain current candidates must perform an annual skills maintenance activity at a Queensland Club between 01 July and 31 December of each year.
• Please note that if you gain your award after 01 July then you are not required to attend a proficiency until the following year
• Members to contact clubs and/or Branch relative to proficient dates in their region
• Please note that QLD members are not permitted to attend proficiency outside the state
  

PATROLLING
To patrol as an award member, that is a member does not hold proficient Bronze or SRC award, you must hold the Observers award and a minimum of one other award, eg Radio, First Aid, ART.
Please refer to SLSQ Patrol Operations Manual for further information.