Volunteer Patrol

2 Female LifesaversSurf Lifesavers on Patrol

Surf Life Savers are men and women who volunteer their time to provide aquatic supervision all over Australia's coastal environment. Volunteer Surf Life Savers are an amazing group of people who provide a unique humanitarian service. Currently Surf Life Saving Northern Territory has over 300 active lifesavers that patrol NT beaches over every weekend of the Dry Season through affiliated community based volunteer clubs.

Surf Life Savers wear the internationally recognised red and yellow patrol cap, and a red and yellow uniform.

Beach Patrols

All Surf Life Saving Clubs provide volunteer beach patrols on their allocated beaches with some clubs patrolling two swimming areas or operating on a number of beaches. The beach patrol is a team of volunteer members rostered for duty at a specified time. Each patrol team has a Patrol Captain responsible for the coordination of the patrol and they concentrate on three important activities:

Prevention - defining a swimming with red & yellow flags where lifesavers and lifesaving resources are concentrated.
Recognition - watching for anyone in distress or suffering an injury
Rescue - responding to those in urgent need of help  

Qualifications

All Surf Life Savers in the Northern Territory complete their training through their local Surf Life Saving Club for the Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue). This nationally accredited qualification includes the coveted SLSA Bronze Medallion and comprises:

  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Surf Survival and Self Survival Skills
  • Providing first aid, resuscitation and emergency care, including oxygen therapy
  • Communication techniques
  • Radio communications
  • Rescue techniques
  • Patrolling methods
  • On-the-job Training

Lifesavers are also trained in many Powercraft and Emergency Care awards which assist with their patrolling operations.  They learn to crew and operate Inflatable Rescue Boats and Rescue Jetskis.

A Typical Beach Patrol

Here is an example of a typical 4 hour patrol shift for a Surf Lifesaver…

7.00 am

Wake up, breakfast, shower, get patrol gear together and travel to Surf Club

8.30 am

Arrive at Surf Club and attend pre-patrol briefing with Patrol Captain and other surf lifesavers.  Carry out tasks to set up the patrol.

9.00 am

Raise the red and yellow flags - the patrol is now operational.

9.15 am

Assist the Nipper water safety team.

10.30 am

Participate in Club Swim.

11.10 am

Treat patient for minor first aid in the patrol arena

11.20 am

Complete Incident Report Form

11.30 am

Roving patrol to north and south of flags with IRB or Beach Vehicle.

12.00 pm

Perform a simulated rescue - an asthmatic man with a spinal injury!

12.30 pm

Debrief the simulated rescue and prepare to handover to afternoon shift.

12.45 pm

Participate in the patrol debrief.  Check roster for next month's patrol.

1.00 pm

Sign off and travel home for lunch.