BECOMING A LIFESAVER

A surf lifesaver is a trained volunteer who patrols our beaches on weekends and public holidays.

Surf lifesavers take on a variety of roles including aquatic rescues, providing first aid and emergency care and educating the public about the dangers of the surf.

Becoming a surf lifesaver is satisfying, fun and rewarding. You can enjoy a healthy lifestyle, be trained in aquatic rescue, make new mates, compete in surf sports events and give something back to your local community. At some point you might also help save someone’s life.

To become a surf lifesaver you need to join the surf club. You are able to join in on Patrols once you have completed SRC (Surf Rescue Certificate) when reaching age of 13 (commonly known as a Junior Lifesaver). To become a full patrolling member you will also need to obtain your Bronze Medallion qualification.

To hold a Bronze Medallion you must be at least 15 and demonstrate proficiency in surf awareness, survival, patrol and rescue procedures, emergency care plus a knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

Once you’ve successfully gained your SRC or Bronze, you can wear the red and yellow uniform and proudly call yourself a surf lifesaver. You will be assigned to a patrol team where you’ll build skills and experience with the help of other qualified lifesavers

Patrolling on a Page

“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something”

Thank you for being a volunteer surf life saver. Here are some tips to make your experience rewarding and help you perform your duties to the high standard that the public expects of us.

Patrol Groups & Roster

You’ll be assigned to a patrol group (named after colours). Each patrol group has a Patrol Captain (PC), Vice Captain (VC) and a variety of other roles.
Patrol groups are reviewed each season to balance up skills and experience; if you want to change group, we’ll accommodate your requests as far as possible.
Each patrol group is rostered a spread of patrols each season (i.e. day, time and type). If you can’t attend a rostered patrol, please try to arrange a substitute.
You can attend other patrols; make sure to introduce yourself to the PC & add your name to the sign in sheet.

Before Patrol

Let your PC know if you are coming or have arranged a substitute; your PC will check for attendance during the week preceding a patrol
Bring your uniform and skull cap
Please arrive in good time; e.g. 30 minutes before the rostered start time if it’s the first patrol of the day
Prepare for the patrol, including: bagging the radios, filling the large Esky with water, filling the small Eskies for each vehicle with ice packs and water, putting extra boards on the trailer, checking the first aid tubs and loading them onto the vehicles, checking the soft first aid and oxy kits for the trailer and conducting patrol vehicle pre-start checks.
Set up the patrol on the beach: position a flag, board and rescue tube at each end of the patrolled area; prepare the patrol trailer for duty

After Patrol

Record the time that you finish patrol
Pack up from the beach (if the last patrol of the day)
Wash-down the trailer, vehicles and boards
Put away everything that came out!
Restock fridge (water) and freezer (ice packs)
Clean the lower ground floor (sweep the floor, empty bins)
Attend the patrol debrief

Taking care of our equipment prolongs its life and reduces the risk of things being mislaid

Communication

Please respond when your PC contacts you (its time consuming to chase up 20 people!)
Join the Facebook group “Coogee Beach WA Patrol Members” for news, patrol substitute requests and pics (facebook.com/groups/coogeebeachpatrol)
Create an account at SLS Portal to update your contact details, pay your membership, check your awards and find information

Training & Development

All patrol members are required to attend a skills maintenance session in the first half of the season (BRZ and SRC awards are only valid to 31 December of each year); dates are well publicised so please plan ahead to attend
Our training team runs many courses to help you develop your skills; your PC can explain them
Complimentary gym membership for >25 patrol hours (subject to conditions)
Off season activities e.g. pool rescue, IRB training

During Patrol

Sign-on to the patrol sheet
Attend the patrol briefing
Look professional and look after yourself: uniform, skull cap, sunscreen, water, nutrition
Do a run – swim – run
Surveillance on the beach and from the tower: prevention is better than cure!
Roving patrols (by foot or vehicle) to the jetties, swimming enclosure and marine trail
Drive vehicles (note licence requirements & SOPs)
Qualified members use the IRBs
Board paddling for exercise and water safety
Treating first aid incidents e.g. cuts, stings
Practice skills e.g. rescues, carries, signals, etc
Use the radios to communicate
Deal with missing person incidents
Patrol at Port Coogee

Water Safety Events

We provide these services at Coogee and other nearby locations; as well as providing valuable income for the club, these services build our reputation and profile. Typically, we need board paddlers and first aiders.