Bronze Medallion requirements
A surf lifesaver is a trained volunteer that patrols our beaches on the weekends. Becoming a surf lifesaver is satisfying, fun and rewarding.

Surf lifesavers undertake a number of roles including aquatic rescues, providing first aid and emergency care and providing surf safety information to the public. The Surf Rescue Certificate is a stepping stone to the full Bronze Medallion that is generally the minimum standard required for full patrolling duties. The Surf Rescue Certificate was originally intended for young people aged between 13 and 15 years, however, anyone over the age of 13 can qualify at this level. The Surf Rescue Certificate is the minimum standard required for water safety at Nippers and similar events.

The Bronze Medallion course provides participants with the skills and knowledge of patrolling and surf awareness in order to be able to participate in lifesaving operations.

What qualifications or prerequisites do I need?

• Qualifications - no specific qualifications
• Prerequisites - no prerequisites
• Other important requirements - You must be able to swim 400m in under 9 minutes in a pool of at least 25m in length or over a measured open water course, prior to undertaking any water training or assessment activities. If you believe you already possess some or all of the skills and knowledge of this award, or who have received one or more of the related units of competency, you may wish to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer. For example, you may apply to receive RPL if you are transitioning from your Surf Rescue Certificate to the Bronze Medallion. You must be at least 15 years of age on the date of the final assessment.

Duration:
The SRC course is typically run over 6 weeks with one weeknight for theory and one day on the weekend for practical. However, each course schedule can vary depending on trainer availability, weather conditions, and facility availability. Specific schedules will be issued for each course.

Course Outcomes:

• Contribute to the management of work health and safety (WHS)
• Follow workplace procedures for hazard identification and risk control
• Describe surfing and environmental conditions and hazards
• Recognise appropriate beach types, conditions and areas in the surfzone for bathing
• Demonstrate surf skills
• Explain the functions of various systems in the human body
• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques
• Perform basic resuscitation techniques (oxygen therapy, defibrillation)
• Identify basic patient management techniques
• Communicate in the workplace
• Perform radio communications using approved SLSA radios
• Perform patient approaches, support and escapes aided by equipment on a conscious and an unconscious patient
• Identify people in distress in an aquatic environment
• Perform surf skills
• Perform patient retrieval and support unaided by equipment
• Set up a patrol and describe your role on patrol
• Demonstrate standard patrol practices
• Work as part of a team
• Improve fitness

SRC requirements
The Surf Rescue Certificate provides participants with the skills and knowledge of basic patrolling and surf awareness in order to be able to participate in lifesaving operations and act in the role of Water Safety Personnel.

What qualifications or prerequisites do I need?

• Qualifications - no specific qualifications
• Prerequisites - no prerequisites
• Other important requirements - You must be able to swim 200m in under 5 minutes in a pool of at least 25m in length or over a measured open water course, prior to undertaking any water training or assessment activities. If you believe you already possess some or all of the skills and knowledge of this award, or who have received one or more of the related units of competency, you may wish to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer. You must be at least 13 years of age on the date of the final assessment.

Duration:
The SRC course is typically run over 6 weeks with one weeknight for theory and one day on the weekend for practical. However, each course schedule can vary depending on trainer availability, weather conditions, and facility availability. Specific schedules will be issued for each course.

Learning outcomes:

• Surf awareness
• Rescue techniques (boards/rescue tubes)
• Resuscitation (CPR)
• First aid
• Communications
• Radio operations
• Standard patrol practices
• Teamwork
• Improve fitness

 

First Aid Certificate requirements
Every patrol or sports event requires first aid officers who are able to administer basic assistance in the event of an emergency.

The First Aid course provides participants with the skills and knowledge to manage emergency first aid situations until professional medical support is available.

What qualifications or prerequisites do I need?

• Qualifications - no specific qualifications
• Prerequisites - no prerequisites
• Other important requirements -
  • You must be at least 10 years of age to complete the entry-level SLSA First Aid Certificate, unless your state /territory requires a higher age. 
  • You must be at least 15 years of age to complete the SLSA Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate, SLSA Spinal Management Certificate, SLSA Silver Medallion Advanced First Aid, unless your state /territory requires a higher age.
  • You must be at least 18 years of age to complete the SLSA Pain Management Certificate unless your state /territory requires a higher age.

The Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate (ARTC) teaches the principles of airway management and oxygen aided resuscitation.

What qualifications or prerequisites do I need?

• Qualifications - no specific qualifications
• Prerequisites - no prerequisites
• Other important requirements - If you believe you already possess some or all of the skills and knowledge of this award, or who have received one or more of the related units of competency, you may wish to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer. You must be at least 15 years of age on the date of the final assessment.

The Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Crewperson course provides participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively crew an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) in surf rescue operations.

What qualifications or prerequisites do I need?

• Qualifications - no specific qualifications
• Prerequisites - Bronze Medallion

Course outcomes:

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Crew an IRB

• List the different classes of IRB
• Identify the components of an IRB and ancillary equipment
• Contribute to the safe and efficient launching of an IRB
• Demonstrate safe crewing positions while negotiating the surf
• Perform emergency procedures
• Observation, hazards, and risks are identified and clearly communicated to the driver

Maintain an IRB

• Perform pre-operational checks and preventative maintenance of the IRB hull
• Perform post-operational maintenance of the IRB hull
• Report major wear or damage according to organisation procedures
• Perform conscious and unconscious casualty pick-ups
• Perform complex rescues including swimming rescues, sailboarder, and kite surfer rescues.

Duration
Each course schedule can vary depending on trainer and facility availability. Specific schedules will be issued for each course.

 

The IRB Driver is responsible for safely operating the IRB in the surf zone and managing the IRB Crew. The IRB Driver Certificate - Silver Medallion provides participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively drive and manage an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) in surf rescue operations.

What qualifications or prerequisites do I need?

• Qualifications - no specific qualifications
• Prerequisites - Bronze Medallion and IRB Crewperson Certificate and Marine Drivers Licence 
• Other important requirements - Meet local state/NT marine licensing requirements where required If you believe you already possess some or all of the skills and knowledge of this award, or who have received one or more of the related units of competency, you may wish to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Credit Transfer. You must be at least 16 years of age to commence training. You must be at least 17 years of age on the date of the final assessment.

Course outcomes:
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Understand the roles and responsibilities of an IRB Driver, including:

• List the duties of an IRB Driver
• List the safety considerations when operating an IRB
• Provide direction to an IRB Crewperson in all their operational duties
• Communicate effectively with Crewperson, the public and patients in the normal performance of duties

Drive an IRB

• Identify the components of an IRB motor
• Launch an IRB safely and efficiently
• List motor hazards in the surf
• Safely and efficiently negotiate the surf while driving an IRB
• Perform emergency procedures

Perform rescues in an IRB as a Driver

• Perform conscious and unconscious patient pick-ups
• Perform complex rescue operations including swimming rescues, sailboarder and kite surfer rescues
• Contribute to search and rescue operations; liaising effectively with other emergency response services as required

Prepare and maintain an IRB motor

• Perform pre-operational checks and preventative maintenance of the IRB motor
• Perform post-operations maintenance of the IRB motor
• Perform motor re-start procedure after submersion in the surf
• Report major wear and damage according to organisational procedures

Duration
Each course schedule can vary depending on trainer and facility availability. Specific schedules will be issued for each course.

 

The purpose of this course is to help you develop the skills and knowledge to safely and effectively operate an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). The course involves a number of incorporated practical activities to develop your operating skills. To ensure the safety of operators and bystanders, you are required to successfully perform each practical task before being permitted to continue on to the next activity.

What qualifications or prerequisites do I need?

• Qualifications - No specific qualifications
• Prerequisites - Australian car drivers license

Course outcomes:
By the end of the course, you will have the following SSV knowledge:

• Prepare an ATV vehicle for operational response, including
• Understanding personal protective equipment requirements
• Understanding the vehicle controls
• Maintaining the vehicle by completing pre and post operational checks
• Loading vehicle safely with appropriate rescue equipment
• Understanding relevant laws, regulations and guidelines

Duration:
Each course schedule can vary depending on trainer and facility availability. Specific schedules will be issued for each course.

 

The Patrol Captain is the principle leader of their patrol’s lifesaving functions on the beach. At the operational level, the major function of the Patrol Captain is to ensure effective beach management and rescue capabilities are established and maintained during their rostered watch.

The aim of the Silver Medallion Patrol Captain course is to provide participants with the skills, knowledge, and experience required to manage a beach and a team in emergency and non-emergency situations. The course is aimed at people wishing to be Patrol Captains, Lifeguards.

What qualifications or prerequisites do I need?

To commence training for the Silver Medallion Patrol Captains (SMPC) course you must meet the following course prerequisites:

• Be at least 17 years of age on the date of final assessment
• Hold the Bronze Medallion award AND the Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
• Minimum two years patrolling experience
• Be proficient in ONE of the following:Bronze Medallion
  • First Aid
  • Radio Operator
  • Advanced Resuscitation Techniques
  • Note: If Bronze is not proficient, must hold proficient Observers Award

Duration:
Each course schedule can vary depending on trainer availability, weather conditions, and facility availability. Specific schedules will be issued for each course.

Learning outcomes:

• Act as a team leader as required
• Undertake work activities and accept responsibilities
• Set performance requirements and maintain team performance
• Contribute to team outcomes and support team cohesion
• Participate in a work team and communicate with management
• Prepare for beach surveillance and rescue
• Undertake preventive actions
• Complete beach surveillance and rescue recovery requirements
• Respond to casualties in distress

This course has been developed to educate Surf Life Saving Members on the safe operations of operating a tractor in the beach environment. All members that operate a tractor must obtain this award prior

What qualifications or prerequisites do I need?

• Qualifications - no specific qualifications
• Prerequisites - 
  • For vehicles under 4.5 tonnes an open licence is required relevant to the transmission type for the vehicle.
  • Vehicles over 4.5 tonnes require a specific grade of licence.
    All candidates will need to comply with the Qld Transport licencing requirements for the vehicle you are using.
    Refer to 2WD & 4WD Induction Workbook
  • Check individual club insurance policies for restrictions eg. age, licence types etc.

Course outcomes:

• Risk factors and Safety considerations.
• Fundamentals of Tractors – Systems – Preparation and Maintenance.
• Sand Driving techniques, Strategies and extraction methods.
• Trailer towing, reversing, boat launching.

Duration:
Each course schedule can vary depending on trainer and facility availability. Specific schedules will be issued for each course.