VOLUNTEER SURF LIFESAVERS

Known throughout the world, volunteer Surf Life Savers are an amazing group of people that provide a unique humanitarian service. Surf Life Savers are easily recognised by the famous red and yellow cap, and their bright red and yellow uniforms. Surf Life Savers all pay a membership fee to be a part of their local Surf Life Saving Club.

A recent independent economic study by The Allen Consulting Group found a number interesting conclusions to the value of our Surf Lifesavers and what would result in them not patrolling our beaches:

• The services along with the various of other benefits provided by members of Surf Life Saving to the community, have been estimated at being more than $1.4 billion each year
• In NSW it is valued that the lives saved and assisted is worth $723.2 million every year
• Lifesavers in NSW patrol an average of 833,134 hours a year
• The value of these patrol hours has an input value of $29.4 million
• If Surf Lifesavers were not on duty on our beaches 485 people would drown each year
• If Surf Lifesavers were not on duty on our beaches 313 people would be permanently incapacitated as a result of accidents in the surf each year

QUALIFICATIONS

All Surf Life Savers in NSW complete their training through their Surf Life Saving Club for the SLSA Bronze Medallion (Certificate II in Public Safety (aquatic rescue)). The Bronze Medallion comprises of training in OH&S, Beach Types, Wave Patterns, Currents, Resuscitation, First Aid, Communication Techniques, Radio Communications, Multiple Rescue Techniques, Patrolling methods, and are assessed by Nationally Recognised and qualified Assessors.

The SLSA Bronze Medallion provides a base for Surf Life Savers in a number of other awards. Surf Life Savers however will more often than not continue further nationally recognised courses in some of the following: Advanced Resuscitation, Senior First Aid, Inflatable Rescue Boats Crewing and Driving, Defibrillation, Spinal Management, Search and Rescue, Incident Investigation, Debriefing, Media Liaison, Leadership, Administration, Management, Auditing and Training & Assessment.

AVERAGE MORNING OF A SURF LIFESAVER

7:00am - Wake Up, Breakfast, Shower, get patrol gear together
7:45am - Travel to the Local Surf Club (Car, Bike, Walk etc)
8:00am - Arrive at Surf Club and meet with other Surf Lifesavers
8:10am - Pre-patrol Briefing for the morning’s activities
8:15am - Check Equipment, Resources, Surf Conditions and take down to the beach
8:30am* - Raise the Red and Yellow Flags and Radio to Base Station
8:45am - Roving patrols begin North and South of the flags with Boats or Vehicles
9:15am - Patrolling activities at the waters edge
9:30am - Rotation activities (possible go for a swim)
10:30am - Patrolling activities again (ensuring people maintain between the flags)
11:00am - Minor First Aid in the Patrol Arena
11:15am - Completes Incident Report Form
11:30am - Roving patrols begin North and South of the flags with Boats or Vehicles
2:00pm - Continue patrolling and preparing for change over
2:30pm - Complete Logbooks and remove cap.
2:45pm - Participate in Patrol Debriefing
1:00pm - Travel Home

* Times are not actual times of all beaches. Persons should check the bathing times of their local beach before visiting