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Skills Maintenance
Keep Your Skills Fresh
At the start of every season all Patrolling Members are required to complete an annual Skills Maintenance Check (proficiency) to demonstrate competency in the lifesaving award/s they hold and in which they wish to remain current.
For the Bronze Medallion, Members are given the choice of set dates, are required to register in advance and attend two (2) of these sessions:
1 - Lifesaving CPR (including online modules in the eLearning)
2 - Beach-based activities.
Any Member who is not proficient by 31 December, or has not completed appropriate awards shall not be allowed to:
• perform patrols
• operate rescue craft, or
• compete in surf lifesaving competitions
until such time as they have met the proficiency requirements as determined for that season.
For Members whose award(s) have lapsed for a period of greater than one year, a gap analysis needs to be completed and the Member may need to complete additional training/updates to ensure they are current with the latest techniques and information. They are required to either sit an in-depth proficiency, a full assessment, or be retrained in order to be considered proficient in the relevant award.
Award Requirements for Proficiency
1
RUN - SWIM - RESCUE (TIMED)
100 m Run - 100 m Swim with a rescue tube in 3 minutes 30 seconds (fins may be worn).
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Conduct a tube rescue on a patient and completed a 100m swim towing the patient (not timed). Finish by assisting the patient to the waters edge.
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The run distance to be taken from waist-deep water, e.g., the run is from a marker, around a marker and to waist deep water. The aquatic components are from waist deep water around two swimming buoys and back to waist deep water.
-
Reasonable adjustment may be made for surf conditions on the day.
2
Lifesaving CPR (Resuscitation with oxygen and defibrillation)
-
Complete the online modules in the eLearning.
-
Complete the face-to-face workshop on modifications to CPR:
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1 Person Primary Assessment
-
1 Person CPR
-
2 Person CPR
-
3 Person CPR with AED
-
4 Person CPR
3
SIGNALS
Demonstrate knowledge of SLSA signals according to SLSA Operating Procedures in the current SLSA Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue Training Manual.
4
SPINAL MANAGEMENT
The following skills must be demonstrated as part of a team. Each member must be control of the head at least once:
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Provide spinal care for a ‘walk up casualty’ with a suspected spinal injury (no use of board as per current PSAR manual).
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Extended-arm roll for stabilisation of the neck and maintenance of the airway in shallow water.
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Spinal board extrication and carry from shallow water.
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Log-rolls: remove a casualty from a spinal board; place a supine casualty on a spinal board.
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Securing a casualty to a spinal board using spinal straps.
During all scenarios spinal alignment and airway management must be maintained and good communication between team members demonstrated.
5
RADIO OPERATIONS
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Members to be assessed on theoretical knowledge of radio operations, protocols and pro-words.
-
A practical demonstration of a scenario involving equipment. The scenario must include demonstrations of the following skills and must be conducted for each candidate:
-
Pre-operation checks
-
Knowledge of local operating channels and uses
-
Rescue procedures and requests for assistance using appropriate protocols and pro-words.
-
Sign on/sign off
-
Inter-patrol communications
-
Radio Operations maybe integrated into other scenarios.
-
RUN - SWIM - RESCUE (TIMED)
100 m Run - 100 m Swim with a rescue tube in 3 minutes 30 seconds (fins may be worn).
-
Conduct a tube rescue on a patient and completed a 100m swim towing the patient (not timed). Finish by assisting the patient to the waters edge.
-
The run distance to be taken from waist-deep water, e.g., the run is from a marker, around a marker and to waist deep water. The aquatic components are from waist deep water around two swimming buoys and back to waist deep water.
-
Reasonable adjustment may be made for surf conditions on the day.
1
Lifesaving CPR (Resuscitation with oxygen and defibrillation)
-
Complete the online modules in the eLearning.
-
Complete the face-to-face workshop on modifications to CPR:
-
1 Person Primary Assessment
-
1 Person CPR
-
2 Person CPR
-
3 Person CPR with AED
-
4 Person CPR
2
SIGNALS
Demonstrate knowledge of SLSA signals according to SLSA Operating Procedures in the current SLSA Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue Training Manual.
3
RADIO OPERATIONS
-
Members to be assessed on theoretical knowledge of radio operations, protocols and pro-words.
-
A practical demonstration of a scenario involving equipment. The scenario must include demonstrations of the following skills and must be conducted for each candidate:
-
Pre-operation checks
-
Knowledge of local operating channels and uses
-
Rescue procedures and requests for assistance using appropriate protocols and pro-words.
-
Sign on/sign off
-
Inter-patrol communications
-
Radio Operations maybe integrated into other scenarios.
4
-
RUN - SWIM - RESCUE (TIMED)
100 m Run - 100 m Swim with a rescue tube in 3 minutes 30 seconds (fins may be worn).
-
Conduct a tube rescue on a patient and completed a 100m swim towing the patient (not timed). Finish by assisting the patient to the waters edge.
-
The run distance to be taken from waist-deep water, e.g., the run is from a marker, around a marker and to waist deep water. The aquatic components are from waist deep water around two swimming buoys and back to waist deep water.
-
Reasonable adjustment may be made for surf conditions on the day.
1
signals
-
Demonstrate all signals covered in the course (8)
2
-
Lifesaving CPR (Resuscitation with oxygen and defibrillation)
-
Complete the online modules in the eLearning
-
Complete the face-to-face workshop on modifications to CPR
-
1 Person Primary Assessment
-
1 Person CPR
-
2 Person CPR
-
3 Person CPR with AED
-
4 Person CPR
-
Remember: If a Member has already completed a Skills Maintenance that required Resuscitation to be assessed i.e. Bronze Medallion, they are considered to be proficient in that section of this award. Members still need to be assessed as competent in sections 2-4 to be deemed proficient in ARTC.
1
Oropharyngeal Airways
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Demonstrate an understanding of when and why an OP airway is introduced into resuscitation.
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Correct measurement and insertion of an oropharyngeal (OP) airway.
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Use of Oropharyngeal Airways maybe included as part of a Lifesaving CPR scenario or covered separately
2
Bag Valve Mask (BVM)
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Demonstrate checks and setup of the BVM.
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Demonstrate correct usage of BVM during a resuscitation scenario.
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Use of BVM maybe included as part of a Lifesaving CPR scenario or covered separately.
3
Provide supplemental oxygen
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Demonstrate an understanding of under what conditions oxygen can be applied.
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Demonstrate use of pulse oximeter and understand its limitations.
4
Control Life Threatening Bleeding
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Demonstrate application of a tourniquet.
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Demonstrate wound packing technique.
5
-
The skills maintenance requirement for this award is undertaking a First Aid course every three years. This award is a pre-requisite for ART and Pain Management awards.
Skills maintenance checks for this award will be required at a minimum every two years. It is recommended that a yearly skills maintenance check be conducted.
Members must demonstrate:
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Proficiency in the pre-requisite awards:
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Advanced Resuscitation Techniques (ART) or ART (AID) award
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First Aid or First Aid (AID) award.
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If any of these award proficiencies lapse during the season, even after successful completion of the Pain Management Skills Maintenance Check, then the Member will become non-proficient in the Pain Management Certificate.
1
Members must Complete:
-
The online theory assessment and assessment portfolio under the supervision of a Pain Management Facilitator.
2
-
Skills maintenance in this award may be assessed by an authorised delegate.
IRB Crew must demonstrate:
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Proficiency in the pre-requisite awards:
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Proficient Bronze Medallion.
-
1
IRB Crew must demonstrate the following skills:
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Parallel running
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Figures of eight
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Conscious/assisted patient pick-up
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Unconscious/unassisted patient pick-up
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Rise crewing position
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Standing crewing position
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Locked-in position
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Emergency punch position
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Re-boarding the IRB
2
-
Skills maintenance for the Silver Medallion IRB Driver award can only be delivered by an IRB assessor. Drivers must also
complete the IRB Crew skills maintenance and have it recorded on Surfguard/App.
IRB Drivers must demonstrate:
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Proficiency in the pre-requisite awards:
-
Proficient Bronze Medallion
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Proficient IRB Crew
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Hold a Recreational Skippers Ticket.
-
-
Pre and post operations checks.
1
demonstrate the ability to apply safe driving practice including but not limited to:
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Parallel running
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Figures of eight
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Response to signals
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1 o'clock wave negotiation angle
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2 o'clock patient pick-up angle
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Conscious/assisted patient pick-up
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Unconscious/unassisted patient pick-up
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Re-boarding the IRB.
2
-
Skills maintenance in the RWC Operator award can only be assessed by an RWC assessor. The RWC course has been
updated for the 2025-26 season with new skills added. It is recommended that RWC Operators review the new RWC Manual.
Note if your Skills maintenance as an RWC Operator has not been conducted in the past 3 years an in-depth skills maintenance program will be required based on you assessed skill level.
RWC OperatoR must demonstrate:
-
Hold the following SLSA awards:
-
RWC Operators certificate
-
-
Proficiency in the pre-requisite awards:
-
Proficient Bronze Medallion
-
-
Hold the following:
-
Recreational Skippers Ticket
-
License to operate a tow vehicle.
-
1
RWC Operators must demonstrate the following skills:
-
Pre operational checks
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Post operational checks
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Emergency crew briefing
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RWC emergency procedures
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Risk assessments
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Rescue operations.
2
-
Members that operate an ATV/SSV must have their Drivers License checked for currency.
A Member who loses their Drivers License (whether through cancellation or suspension) must not be in control of an
ATV/SSV.Complete a Skills Maintenance Check with a qualified WA Facilitator (Drone Patrol Operator).
Drone Patrol Operator must demonstrate:
-
Must be proficient in a Patrolling Award.
1
Drone Patrol Operator must demonstrate the following:
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Knowledge of:
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Emergency procedures
-
-
Demonstration of:
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Pre-flight procedures
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Take off
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In-flight control
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Post flight procedures.
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2
-
To maintain currency of SLSWA Trainer, Assessor and Facilitator (TAF) awards, all award holders must complete the
TAF Currency Form SLSWA at least every two years or have their training/assessing/facilitating activity hours
recorded in Surfguard or clubs may record TAF activity with appropriate detail and send documentation to
SLSWA.
Details of the information required to complete this form are found in the TAF Currency Guidelines.
Both documents are located on the SLS Hub, in the SLSWA section of the Document Library, Education section,
Search Term ‘TAF – Currency’.To maintain currency of SLSWA Trainer, Assessor and Facilitator (TAF) awards, all award holders must complete the TAF Currency Form SLSWA at least every two years or have their training/assessing/facilitating activity hours recorded in Surfguard or clubs may record TAF activity with appropriate detail and send documentation to SLSWA.
Details of the information required to complete this form are found in the TAF Currency Guidelines.
Both documents are located on the SLS Hub, in the SLSWA section of the Document Library, Education section, Search Term ‘TAF – Currency’.
To be Proficient an AGM must:
- Have completed a Member Screening Check as necessary (Please refer to the SLSWA Member Screening Policy).
- Have completed the online Child Safe Awareness Course.
- Attended the online SLSWA Age Managers Information Session.
Be proficient in one of the following patrolling awards:
- Bronze Medallion
- First Aid
- Radio Operator
- Advanced Resuscitation Technique..
Proficiency is required in the prerequisites for this award to remain current.
The prerequisites are:
• Complete a 400-metre swim in 8 minutes or less in a swimming pool of no less than 25m length.
• Hold and be proficient in the SLSA Bronze Medallion.Lifesaving CPR
• Complete the online modules in the eLearning (this may also be completed on the day with the group)
• Complete the face-to-face workshop on modifications to CPR.
Remember: If a Member has already completed a Skills Maintenance that required Resuscitation to be assessed i.e. Bronze Medallion, SRC or ARTC, they are considered to be proficient in this award.
• Members to be assessed on theoretical knowledge of radio operations, protocols and pro-words.
• A practical demonstration of a scenario involving equipment. The scenario must include demonstrations of the following skills and must be conducted for each candidate:
− Pre-operation checks
− Knowledge of local operating channels and uses− Rescue procedures and requests for assistance using appropriate protocols and pre-words
