Surf Lifeguard: Training Manual

Surf Lifeguard
Training Manual
2017
Begin
In 1910 Surf Lifeguards began providing beach patrols. It wasn’t just about making our
beaches safer, it was about the increasing popularity of our beaches for recreation.
There has been a lot of change in the last 100 years and today Surf Life Saving is about
more than just patrolling between the flags. Coastal development has opened up new
beaches and new walk ways lead people to different parts of our beaches today.
Windsurfers, surfing, boogie boards – even wetsuits which we take for granted today,
have all had a significant impact on when and how people use our beaches.
Today we provide patrols at more than 80 of New Zealand’s most popular beaches, but
it’s just part of what we do. Public education, event safety services, search and rescue
and working with councils to ensure effective and consistent signage are all part of our
Lifesaving plan to achieve our purpose.
Membership
Today there are nearly 18,000 members across 74 Clubs. Each year more than 800 new
Lifeguards are qualified. Behind every Lifeguard, a coach, an instructor, and committee
members all have an important role to play.
The oppurtunities available to you as a member of a surf lifesaving club are extraordinary.
Once you have your Lifeguard Award, you can advance through the lifeguard programme
in which ever direction you choose – First Aid, Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB), Lifeguard
development. You are also able to participate in our sport programme and put your skills
on the line against others – be it beach sprints, swimming, surf boats or IRBs.
Award Requirements
Minimum Age 14 years
Pre-Requisite Awards None
The SLA is made up of 13 Units

1. emonstrate knowledge of health and safety issues relevant to Surf Life Saving
D
members (RMG01)
2. Describe the features of the surf environment (PEG01)
3. Identify and describe the roles and responsibilities of a
Surf Lifeguard (RRLB01)
4. Demonstrate knowledge of effective communication (CG02)
5. Demonstrate knowledge of effective scanning techniques and victim
identification (TSLB02)
6. Perform retrieval of underwater objects (TSLB04)
7. Perform releases and tows in an aquatic environment (TSLB03)
8. Demonstrate signals used by Surf Life Saving members for communication
(CG01)
9. Communicate using a two-way radio (CG03)
10. Perform a tube rescue (TSLB01)
11. Provide resuscitation (EMCG01)
12. Provide first aid (EMCG02)
13. Manage first aid in emergency situations (EMCG03)
1
Contents
Prepare
Risk Management pg 03
Health and Safety pg 08
Prevent
Roles and Responsibilities pg 11
Respect
Surf and Beach Environment pg 21
Communicate
Lifeguard Communication pg 27
Respond
Rescue Equipment pg 37
Surf Lifeguard Skills pg 42
Perform
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation pg 55
First Aid pg 63
Assessment
Exam Components pg 72
SLSNZ has adopted a strategic approach to drowning prevention.
public access &

education signage
swimming & patrols & lifesaving

survival skills services
© Surf Life Saving

New Zealand Inc. 2017.
All rights reserved. Apart from any fair use by Surf Life Saving New Zealand Inc. members within their
training, the text and images in this publication, or any part thereof, may not be produced in any
manner whatsoever without written permission from Surf Life Saving New Zealand.
SLSNZ acknowledges the contribution of SLSA for content within this manual.
SLSNZ would also like to thank all those involved in the creation and review of this manual.
3
1 Prepare
This section gives general information for all members
on measures they can take, and measures put in place by
SLSNZ, to reduce risks associated with surf lifesaving.
Risk Management
Areas of risk members are exposed to and preventative measures
that have been taken to minimise them.
Risk Management
Areas of risk members are exposed to
Health and Safety 01
Hygiene
Personal
As a Surf Lifeguard, you must work closely with other Surf
Lifeguards and the public. A clean and tidy appearance
will let the public know that you have pride in the way you
perform all Surf Lifesaving activities.
Environment
Environment hygiene is about keeping your clubhouse free
from clutter or conditions that allow bacteria and vermin to
thrive. Everyone must help. Cleaning and maintenance of
premises and facilities are important, especially in first aid
and operation rooms in your clubhouse. It is important to
clean these areas after every patrol or, in the case of the club
first aid room, after every use.
Personal Protection
The Sun
Surf Lifeguards are at risk from the dangers of exposure
to the sun. Not only can UV rays be absorbed from direct
exposure to the sun, but also from reflection off the sand
and water. Furthermore, harmful UV rays are still present on
cloudy days. 01
It is therefore important that Surf Lifeguards: At Sea
Seek shade whenever possible, particularly between Wear at wetsuit that covers at least the entire trunk area.
10am and 4pm. Never work alone.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat. SLSNZ strongly recommends the use of polypropylene
Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirt with a collar. clothing on land, and wetsuits at sea, on cold days.
Use broad spectrum sunscreens with a sun protection Dehydration

factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, and: On patrol a Surf Lifeguard must drink regularly to:
- Apply before going out into the sun. Reduce dehydration.
- Apply it to exposed skin every 2 hours.
Prevent heat exhaustion.
- Reapply every time you exit the water.
It is a good habit to carry your own refillable water bottle
Wear UV protective sunglasses that meet the AS/NZS while on patrol.
1067:2003 strandard.
Infectious Diseases
Hypothermia
To reduce the likelihood of contracting an infectious disease,
Hypothermia through exposure to cold conditions is a
it is strongly recommended that Surf Lifeguards:
potential risk for Surf Lifeguards. Where possible, a Surf
Use resuscitation masks.
Lifeguard should keep sheltered, warm and dry. If exposed to
Wear disposable gloves if there is any risk of contact with
cold, wet or windy conditions:
blood, saliva, urine or faeces. 02
On Land
Conduct regular and thorough decontamination of training
Wear warm clothing. The more waterproof the clothing,
aids eg manikins.
the more insulated the body will be from heat loss.
Maintain a spotlessly clean First Aid room. Household
Where necessary, wear polypropylene or woollen
bleach is a suitable sterilising agent.
undergarments.
Be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and participate in other
Wear a hat.
inoculation programmes as available.
Never work alone.
5
02 Member Injury Procedures
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) Members undertake
a wide range of physical activities. While risk management
practices are encouraged and undertaken, there will always
be times when injuries occur.
To monitor both trends and injury management, SLSNZ
maintains a ‘Serious Injury Register’, with data from it to be
incorporated into all programme reviews.
In the Member Injury policy, ‘Serious Harm’ is defined as
“any injury that takes place in the course of surf lifesaving
activity that requires medical treatment from a trained and
Alcohol recognised health care provider immediately following the

incident [i.e. Doctor, Dentist etc]”.
Alcohol impairs judgment and can encourage people to
take risks. A swimmer who has been drinking alcohol tires Procedures
easily and the body temperature drops quickly. Cramp is When a Club, Region or National Organisation co-ordinates
also more likely. an activity that results in ‘Serious Harm’ or injury to the
Alcohol consumption on patrol is strictly forbidden. Prior to member, details of the injury will be recorded on the
patrol (the night before), a Surf Lifeguard should take into ‘SLSNZ Incident Report Form’. The form is sent through the
account that blood alcohol remains in the blood for 12 to 20 appropriate channels for entry on the SLSNZ online database.
hours after the last drink.
Personal Risk and Self Preservation

While Surf Lifeguards are trained to perform rescues in the
surf, there may be times when conditions are extremely
treacherous, even for an experienced Surf Lifeguard.
In such conditions, the first consideration should be ‘Self
Preservation’. Surf Lifeguards must decide whether they can
perform (or take part in) a rescue without seriously injuring
themselves or losing their own lives. The responsibility
and decision to enter the water lies in the hands of each
individual.
Remember: Self Preservation is the first priority.
Risk Management
Areas of risk members are exposed to
03 Lifting and Carrying

Surf lifesaving duties involve the lifting and carrying of
equipment and people who have been rescued. A common
injury is to the lower back, caused by incorrect lifting
or handling of heavy, awkward or large objects. In surf
lifesaving, objects such as a fully set-up IRB, outboard motor,
and IRB floorboards are particularly heavy and/or awkward.
They require careful handling and manoeuvring. Not only
could you injure yourself, but you could also damage the
equipment and hurt others around you, if you do not handle
and manoeuvre equipment safely. Health and safety is
everybody’s responsibility.
03 How to lift
Firstly, it is important that the environment or area that you
are required to lift in is safe. This will depend upon things like:
Where and how equipment is laid out.
The storage method of the equipment.
The size and weight of mobile equipment.
How far you have to carry equipment or goods.
The terrain you have to negotiate.
Below is a set of steps that describe how to lift correctly.
These steps outline how to lift heavy items on your own, or
when lifting with two or more people.
Face in the direction of where you intend to lift.
Do not bend forward with your legs straight to lift. This Bend the knees and crouch down, with a straight back.
places excessive load on the lower back. The use of trailers, Balancing with a wide base of support, take hold of the
quad-bikes and 4wd vehicles are also important tools in the
object securely.
transportation of heavy objects.
Keep the load close to the body wherever possible.
One member coordinates the lift and calls ‘Ready, one,
two, three, lift’.
Brace your stomach muscles and, while keeping your
back in a neutral position, lift the object using your legs.
Member Protection
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) has a responsibility
to ensure a safe environment for members and to provide
protection from illness and/or injury. There is also a
responsibility for all members of SLSNZ to ensure a safe
environment for others. This section will give an overview of
the basic ways SLSNZ protects its members, broadly as an
organisation, and also specifically in the areas of lifesaving
and sport. Guidelines of where responsibility becomes that of
the club and the member are also shown.
Member Protection by the Organisation

SLSNZ Regulations: These regulations are made under
Rule 24 of the Constitution of Surf Life Saving New Zealand
Incorporated (SLSNZ). They contain various directions and
7
requirements of SLSNZ which are binding on SLSNZ and 04
its Members. These Regulations are made for the dominant
purpose of ensuring a safe and fair framework, within which
surf lifesaving in New Zealand can be conducted.
For more information visit the member protection toolbox:
http://www.slsnz.org.nz/organisation/about-us/management-
documents/member-protection-toolbox.
Lifesaving Member Protection

Policy Statements: SLSNZ Policy Statements are specific
procedures that help ensure safety for operations. A number
of policy statements have been created for lifeguards for a
range of situations:
Body recovery.
Critical incident management procedures.
Disaster survival and preparedness.
Recommended minimum guidelines for open water
swimming event safety.
Club and Member Responsibility
IRB specifications.
There are many situations where clubs and members are
Lifeguard refresher.
responsible for the health and safety of others. A guide is
Member injuries.
given below.
Patrol support.
Clubs have a responsibility to:
Prototype experimental equipment.
Provide for the health and safety of members and visitors
Rescue water craft.
to the club.
Shark safety.
Provide safe access to the club.
For more information or to view lifesaving policies visit:
http://www.slsnz.org.nz/clubhouse/tower/lifesaving-policies Provide information, training and supervision.
Inspect and control use of gear/equipment.
Sport Member Protection 04
The following have been put into place by SLSNZ to minimise As a member, you have a responsibility to:
any dangers to athletes that may occur during an event: Co-operate with your patrol captains and officials.
Code of conduct. Work, and use equipment, safely.
Risk Assessment and Management Systems. Take care of the health and safety of other members.
Health and Safety plan. Be able to offer first aid, if required, and to deal with
All competitors refreshed. potential and actual injuries.
For more information or to view sport policies visit:
Control the conduct of members you are responsible for.
http://www.slsnz.org.nz/sport/about-us/sport-policies
Warn other members of any particular risk.
As a volunteer, this means you must:

Work in a safe manner by following directions from your
patrol captains and officials.
Use equipment correctly and follow safety directions.
Set an example, with appropriate ‘beach safe’ behaviour.
Health and Safety
05
Wellbeing and colleagues.

Immediate critical incident stress occurs during the incident
General Fitness
itself, and in extreme situations, can render a Surf Lifeguard
Fitness
incapable of functioning at the scene.
It is important that a Surf Lifeguard maintains a high level
It is common for people to go through a time of reworking
of fitness. It is a risk if a Surf Lifeguard goes on patrol in an
their actions in an attempt to answer questions such as:
unfit state. It is strongly recommended that Surf Lifeguards
participate in some form of daily exercise (e.g., run, swim, Did I follow the correct procedures?
ski or board paddle) during the patrol season. Jogging, Did I do everything possible?
water polo or winter sports are a few ways of staying fit in
Did I do anything wrong?
the off-season. 05
Remember:
Skill level During training, it is important that you are aware of the
adverse and unpleasant conditions that may occur during
Surf Lifeguards must undergo regular ‘Refresher Training’ in rescue and resuscitation activities, as well as the fact that
various Surf Lifesaving skills (e.g. resuscitation, IRB) to ensure such actions are not always successful.
they remain proficient.
Management of Critical Incident Stress
A variety of Skill Development and Higher Award programmes Many important tasks must be completed following a major
exist, both at the Club and Region level, and Surf Lifeguards incident. These tasks are collectively referred to as Post
should, wherever possible, take advantage and participate. Critical Incident Management Procedures. The diagram on
the following page outlines the steps that are to be taken
Stress
after an incident has occurred and management of the
What Is Critical Incident Stress?
situation has been completed.
A Surf Lifeguard may, at some stage, be involved in
a stressful or traumatic situation, such as performing
resuscitation or encountering a drowning.
These types of traumatic situations bring with them their
own type of stress (critical incident stress), which may go
unnoticed, as the Surf Lifeguard is unable or unwilling to
express the pain and distress being felt. If left unattended,
this stress can ultimately affect a Surf Lifeguard’s physical
and mental health and also relationships with family, friends
Health and Safety
Post Critical Incident Management

9
Major incident occurs:
Incident management completed.
Initial Operational Support:

Clubs inform SLSNZ, peer supporter dispatched, witness
statements created.
Psychological first aid/defusing:

This is comfort and support offered immediately to people who have been exposed to a traumatic event.
The process involves a review and assessment of patrol members involved in the incident.
Are warning signs of traumatic stress present?
YES
Psychological debriefing: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) services.
Region/peer supporter organise psychological debriefing with EAP services.
NO Debriefing is a structured group process designed to mitigate the stress of a
stressful event.
Does/did the incident involve any of the following:

• A likely chance of legal action?
• Significant injury(s) to Lifeguards or public?
• Significant operational shortcomings or unforeseen events?
YES
Operational Debrief:
NO
An internal SLS review of the events and the associated response efforts during the incident.
Are there any continuing psychological issues with

anyone involved in the incident?
NO: YES: Referral.

No further When a member is referred to a trained counsellor for follow up assistance in dealing
action with the incident.
required. May be needed at any stage of the procedure.
11
2 Prevent
This section provides information that will assist Surf
Lifeguards to be pro-active in fulfilling one of their key
responsibilities: The prevention of drowning and injury.
Roles and Responsibilities

The roles of Surf Lifeguards while on patrol and their
responsibilities as members of SLSNZ.
Requirements to effectively and efficiently patrol a beach
Patrol Methods The Surf Life Saving Club or Service responsible for each
beach determines the patrolling method used. Each Surf
Surf Life Saving’s first duty, as a frontline community surf Lifesaving Service has a current “PATROL OPERATIONS
rescue service, is the safety of the public who visit and swim MANUAL” (POM), which describes in detail the patrol
at popular beaches along the New Zealand coastline. systems utilised. 06
Surf Lifeguards ensure beaches are safe by patrolling them Surf Lifeguards must be totally conversant with the Patrol
on weekends and holidays during the summer season, Operations Manual, as it covers the beach they are patrolling.
incorporating the basic principles of PREVENTION, The document should always be kept on hand in an easily
RECOGNITION, and RESCUE. accessible and visible place. If you cannot locate your Club’s
Patrol Operations Manual, please ask your Patrol Captain.
The standard content is as follows:
SECTION A:
Club Patrol Operations.
Patrol Operations & Geography.
Patrol Capability.
Specific Patrol Operations.
Contact Information.
SECTION B:
Region Patrol Operations
Region Contact Information (must be regularly updated).
Region Lifesaving Standards, Regulations and Policies.
06 Each Surf Lifesaving Service has a current “PATROL
OPERATIONS MANUAL” (POM) which describes in detail Patrol Documentation.
the patrol systems utilised.
Region Serious Incident Protocols.
Lifeguard Protection.
Risk Management.
Member Recognition.
Lifesaving Equipment Maintenance Guidelines.
Lifesaving Quality Assurance Programme.
Media Information.
Region Calendar of Skills Courses and Events.
Call out squad contact details.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand Lifesaving Policies.
This section includes all policies and regulations linked to
effectively patrolling a beach. These can also be viewed at
www.surflifesaving.org.nz
13
07
General Principles and Skills they should be given excellent service and unqualified respect.
of Patrolling Abuse of rescue equipment should be avoided at all times,

as it presents a bad image to the public, many of whom may
Uniform have donated money to SLSNZ.
On patrol a Surf Lifeguard must wear a uniform to make the
Public image is important because the majority of our funding
public aware that a patrol is operating. A uniformed patrol
comes from the public sector, such as from sponsorships,
portrays to the public an image of efficiency and dedication.
donations, and the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board.
As well, members of the public will be able to readily identify
Surf Lifeguards. This is particularly important in emergency Crowd Control
It is essential to control the public on crowded beaches.
situations. The lifesaving uniform cannot be worn in any
This is especially so when a rescue is being performed.
activity other than that detailed in the regulations. Lifeguards
Unintentional interference by onlookers may put the life
should be aware that wearing the uniform to and from
of rescuers and/or patients in danger and prevent the
lifesaving activity is deamed acceptable.
operation’s smooth conduct.
Surf Lifesaving Services can obtain uniforms from Surf Life
It is natural, when an accident occurs, for people to mill
Saving New Zealand.
around the scene. The Patrol Captain should designate a
07 The SLSNZ patrol uniform consists of:
suitable member of the patrol to organise the public and
Red wide-brimmed hat. keep them away from the centre of the activity.
Yellow long-sleeved shirt.
Red shorts.
Accessories include:
Red peaked cap.
Red Jacket.
Yellow short-sleeved rash shirt.
Public Relations
Every time you put on your patrol uniform, you become an
ambassador for Surf Life Saving.
All Surf Lifeguards should be courteous and tactful when
they deal with the public. Whether we deal with the public
face-to-face, over the telephone or in written documents,
Incident Management Patrol Captain’s Report Form

A record of the people involved (lifeguards and members of
An outline follows of procedures to observe and factors to
the public), any actions taken (incidents and preventative
consider during incidents that may occur during a beach
actions), weather conditions during the patrol and any
patrol. It is important to note that some regions may have
equipment used.
slight variations in procedures, particularly in relation to
contacting emergency services. If so, they will be highlighted SLSNZ Patrol Captains Report Form
Patrol & Team Details Type of Service (Tick one box)
by your instructor. Club / service

Patrol team (if allocated)
Voluntary
Regional guard
Patrol captain Callout
Water-based incidents Date of patrol

Patrol location
/ / S M T W T F S Event safety
Other
When dealing with rescues in the water, it is essential to

Patrol description / notes / hazards / additional information:
inform other patrolling members of the incident details i.e. Patrol Information
Patrol start time
Patrol Conditions Start of patrol
Weather
Comments
Patrol finish time Wave height
See codes
position, problem, people. Be sure to assess the situation High tide time
Peak headcount
Surf conditions
Wind strength
before you enter the water.

Total hours worked Wind direction
Patrol Members (contact)
Start Finish Hours Head counts On beach In water Total

First name Last name SLSNZ number Role
Land-based incidents
Use 15 minute time units 06.00
1 07.00
2 08.00
A number of land-based incidents may occur at the beach,

3 09.00
4 10.00
5 11.00
particularly medical emergencies. Surf Lifeguards are trained in 6
7
12.00
13.00
8 14.00
first aid, some to higher levels than others. Those with extensive 10
9 15.00
16.00
first aid knowledge and experience should be alerted and used

11 17.00
12 18.00
13 19.00
in these situations, where possible. 14
15
20.00
21.00
16 22.00
Cliff incidents and falls 17
18
Peak
Notes:
19
Police and ambulance should be contacted immediately.

20
21
22
The police employ a designated cliff rescue unit trained Resources

Number of patrol members Number of people rescued
Actions Number # forms complete
Number of patrolled areas Number of people assisted to safety
to respond in situations where victims are unreachable. If Number of IRBs / RWC Number of people needing major first aid
Number of radios Number of minor first aid incidents
you are able to get to the victim without putting him or her, Number of ATVs
Other equipment: (list below)
Number of people searched for
Number of preventative actions
Est. No. of public involved in preventative actions
yourself, or anyone else in danger, then do so, appropriately Signed: (patrol captain)
treating any injuries and securing the person to prevent Incident Report Form
further injury.
This form is a specific record of every rescue, search and
Reports first aid/trauma that lifeguards respond to. This includes any
During every patrol, documentation must be completed as a incidents at events. All injuries including injuries to any club
formal record of the day’s events. member must be reported.
This information is then fed into the Surf Life Saving New SLSNZ Incident Report Form CONFIDENTIAL
Zealand database, where important statistical information Club

Incident & Team Details
Tasking event #
Police Tasking Information
Incident date / / Tasking officer #
can be found and reviewed. Incident location
GPS or grid ref

Tasking start time
Tasking finish time
Incident start time Incident Analysis
Incident finish time Probability of reoccurrence
Statistics enable Surf Life Saving services to complete Incident level (0-4)
Number of patients involved

Consequence / impact
Accident investigated Yes No
SLSNZ workplace incident Yes No Action required Yes No
analyses of beach usage, rescues and preventative actions Did this happen during patrol? Yes No
Summary of incident (please enter what happened, when and the response effort below)
Patrol occurrence
Patrol team name
EAP required Yes No
and update their patrol methods, if necessary. EAP actioned Yes No
SLSNZ are able to make decisions, based on evidence

that has been gathered for the database. Rescue
Incident Type
Complete patient report form Name
Mass Rescue & Patient Assist Details
Patient assist Address

Patient 1
Statistics provide evidence for continued funding from First aid (major)
Search
Complete patient report form
Complete patient report form
Age*
Gender*
Near miss Ethnic origin*
support organisations, sponsorship and the public.

Activities Involved Name
Swimming Fishing Address
Patient 2
Surfing / bodyboard Attempt rescue Age*

Sail or boat Other Gender*
Statistics provide data that can be supplied to the Walking / running

Incident Conditions (at start of incident)
Ethnic origin*
Name
Weather Address
Patient 3
news media.
Wave height Age*
See codes
Surf conditions Gender*

Wind strength Ethnic origin*
Wind direction Name
Patrol reports help Surf Life Saving to appropriately Other: (rips, holes, equipment...) Address
Patient 4
Resources Used Age*

IRB Radios Gender*
recognise members’ actions.

Rescue tube RWC Ethnic origin*
Rescue board First aid equipment Name
Rescue vehicle No equipment Address
Patient 5
Other: Age*
Lifeguards / Volunteers Involved Gender*
The types of forms used are: First name Last name Surf ID number Ethnic origin*
*Must complete for all patients. In all cases the outcome will be ‘patient left in stable condition’.
If their condition is not stable you must complete a patient report form.
Name & address are optional but must add suburb.
Form completed by First name Last name
Signed
15
Patient Report Form of each lifeguard worked that day.
This form captures all the details for any major rescue, Rescue: Where a person requires assistance to return to
search, first aid or trauma. One form per person must be shore (or place of safety) and who, without assistance, would
filled out. have suffered distress or injury, or drowned.
SLSNZ Patient Report Form CONFIDENTIAL

First Aid/Trauma: Any incident where a victim receives
Additional Patient Information for Major Rescues, First Aids and Searches. Please store this form in a secure location after completing. some form of First Aid treatment.
Patient Details
Search: Any organised search for a missing person, or

Arr. 4 3 2 1 0
Incident level (0 - 4) SLSNZ member Yes / No Number:
Dep. 4 3 2 1 0
First name Gender Male / Female

Last name Ethnic origin (primary)
Date of birth
Address & suburb
DD / MM / YYYY Ethnic origin other
group of people, either at sea or on land. This includes body
City Was a fatality prevented? Yes / No
Incident Reason
Other notes:
recovery.
Drugs / alcohol
Feeling unwell
Inappropriate
Preventative Action: When a Lifeguard identifies a

insect sting
equipment
Exhaustion
swimming
abrasions
Breathing
Jellyfish /
Excessive
difficulty
sunburn
Bruising
clothing
Burns /
Cramp
Other
Cut /
Poor
Patient Outcomes First Aid Treatment

Left in stable condition
Referred to Doctor
History / chief complaint / onset
potentially dangerous situation and takes precautionary
Assisted from the beach Treatment
Ambulance to hospital
Helicopter to hospital
action to prevent the situation from developing into, or
Deceased
Unknown / Not found
Equipment Used
contributing to, a real emergency e.g:
Oxygen FA Supplies
Defibrillator
Stretcher Medications / allergies Shifting the flagged area during the day because surf
Neck brace
Time Interventions / drugs Dose

Response
AVPU
Airway
Patient Vitals
Breathing
Pulse /
circulation
Temp
Blood
pressure
O2 Sat Bld Gluc
conditions change.
/
/
Preventing swimmers from entering a rip or hole.
/
/ Removing broken glass from the beach.

Search Information
Checking on a swimmer who appears to be in difficulty.

Missing person details & description Informant information
Name Informant name
Phone numbers Informant phone numbers
Medical & mental condition Relationship to missing
Description of missing person
Age
Missing person last location
Circumstances of disappearance
When recording a preventative action, record the action, not
Ethnicity
the people.
Gender Point last seen (PLS)
Height & build
Last known point (LKP)
Hair colour
Last seen by whom
Eye colour
Activity (what doing)
Patrol Audits
Clothing / belongings
Search Activities by SLS Volunteers

Time Action
Patrol audits or inspections occur to maintain consistent

NOTE: If there is more than one patient involved in a major incident use a second form. patrolling standards throughout New Zealand. These audits
IRB Operations Log are carried out by Region nominated inspectors against
At the end of each patrol, the IRB Operations log must set criteria. These criteria are aligned to the Club’s Patrol
be completed for every IRB that is used. It is important to Operations Manual.
read the operations log from the previous patrol to check if
there are any problems with the IRB or the engines before
preparing them.
Once all forms are completed, ensure they are sent to the
correct people and a copy is kept with your club.
Definitions
To assist Surf Lifeguards in completing Patrol and Incident
Reports, the following definitions apply:
Voluntary Patrol: Volunteer Surf Lifeguards who undertake

a patrol.
Regional Lifeguard: Surf Lifeguards who undertake a patrol,
or provide event safety for hire or reward.
Callout: Any response to an emergency occurring outside
patrol hours.
Event Safety: Any event where Surf Lifeguards provide safety.
Other: Services provided by Surf Lifeguards not included in
the areas above, e.g. educational activity.
No. of Surf Lifeguards: The total number of lifeguards who
were on patrol that day.
Total Surf Lifeguard Hours worked: The combined hours
Using Rescue Vehicles Calling In Back-Up

If you need assistance, or even think that a rescue operation
is starting to become too large or difficult to control, you
should ask for help sooner rather than later.
It is much better to have help on the way and cancel it, than
to need assistance and have nothing available.
If Emergency Services are required, Dial 111.

You will be connected to a Telecom operator, who will ask
you which service you require, Ambulance, Police or Fire.
Your call will be connected to the service you requested. You
will be asked:
Who are you?
Where are you?
The “Land Transport Act 1998” defines the ‘road’ as including:
What is the emergency?
A street.
Make sure you know the street location of your Surf Club
A motorway. or the street or beach access where you would like the
A beach. ambulance or other vehicle to go.
A place to which the public have access, whether as of Remain calm, and speak in a clear, precise voice that can be
right or not. clearly understood.
All bridges, culverts, ferries, and fords forming part of a Police
road or street or motorway, or a place referred to above. Surf Lifeguards need to contact the police in cases of:
All sites at which vehicles may be weighed for the Public disturbance.
purposes of this Act, or any other enactment.
Any criminal behaviour.
This means that any use of any vehicles for patrolling
Motor vehicle accidents.
purposes must be in accordance with the law.
Whenever a person is reported as missing.
Responsibilities of Clubs and Surf Lifeguards for All Body discovery.
Terrain Vehicles (ATV):
Ambulance
All ATV operators shall hold a current motorcycle or driver’s It is important to summon an ambulance when:
license (learners, restricted or full).
A patient has lost consciousness, even for a brief period.
All ATV operators must wear an approved helmet when
A patient has received resuscitation.
operating an ATV and be a minimum of 16 years of age.
Fire
The vehicle shall carry the following lifesaving equipment: A Surf Lifeguard should always call the Fire Service in cases
First Aid and resuscitation equipment. of:
Rescue Tube and swim fins. Bush fires.
Hand-held radio protected by a waterproof pouch or House fires.
base radio mounted to the vehicle. Chemical spillages.
For more information about ATV policies and safety Search and Rescue
visit: http://www.slsnz.org.nz/clubhouse/tower/ The Police have responsibility for Search and Rescue, and
lifesaving-policies should be contacted in any search or rescue operation that
goes beyond a straightforward surf rescue.
Coastguard
Emergency Services
Most coastal regions in New Zealand have a Volunteer
As a Surf Lifeguard, you should be aware of the emergency
Coastguard that is available to respond to offshore boating
services and other rescue organisations that operate in
emergencies. The Coastguard may be of assistance in
your area. An Emergency Services Phone Index should be
some rescue situations.
displayed next to all telephones in your Surf Club so that
contact numbers are readily available.
17
Rescue Helicopter 08
If your Patrol does not have an established protocol for

calling a rescue helicopter, then dial 111, ask for Ambulance
and advise Ambulance Control that you need a rescue
helicopter.
If you have a patient with a medical problem, the Ambulance
Control will determine the need for an Ambulance or rescue
helicopter.
Patrolling Roles
There are various tasks within a Lifeguard’s duties that
are essential for a successful patrol, and they may vary
from patrol to patrol. As a Lifeguard, you must not only
understand your role, but that of others on duty with you.
Roles will vary from patrol to patrol.
Patrol Captain
Your patrol captain has been appointed to this position 09
because he or she has the lifesaving skills and experience to
effectively manage the surf lifesaving service at your club or
beach. At all times on patrol, act under the directions of the
patrol captain.
08 Tower
A patrol member shall be stationed in an elevated position at
all times during the patrol when swimmers are in the water.
When a beach user enters the water, one set of lifeguard
eyes must remain on the patrolled area at all times. Never
leave the flagged area without observation.
Flag Duty higher level of first aid must take over patient management.
A Surf Lifeguard’s role on flag duty is to keep a constant Mobile Patrol
watch on the swimmers in the flagged area and to The patrol captain may designate pairs of Surf Lifeguards
encourage swimmers to remain swimming between the to walk along the edge of the beach looking for incidents
flags. When on flag duty, always carry a rescue tube and fins. occurring outside the flagged area. Mobile patrols must
09 IRB Driver and Crew always keep in radio contact with the patrol. A tube and fins
The IRB driver and crew must have the IRB ready for use must also be carried.
close to the water’s edge. Should they be needed for a Outpost
rescue, they must respond quickly and efficiently. Radio When there are areas away from the flags that have a large
contact needs to be kept at all times with the rest of the patrol. number of beach-goers, an outpost can be set up. The
Radio Operator outpost can be set up with or without flags, depending on
The radio operator is the link from the patrol to outside the resources available to the patrol. Radio contact must be
communications such as the Police, Ambulance Service maintained between the outpost and the patrol. Sufficient
and SurfCom. It is essential the operator is familiar with rescue equipment and first aid equipment are also needed.
the processes and applications of each support service to
undertake this role effectively.
First Aid
Although all patrolling members will have been trained in first
aid in some capacity, there is a need for at least one member
of the patrol to be trained at a higher level. If there are major
first aid emergencies during a patrol, those trained at this
10
Example of a typical Deploying Lifeguards to appropriate locations/hot spots.
patrolling day The laying out of rescue equipment.

Co-ordination of any emergency situations.
Prior to Patrol
Completing Patrol Captain and Incident Report forms.
Surf Lifeguards should arrive at least 30 minutes before the
Include appropriate positioning for patrol gear/rescue
patrol is due to start to:
equipment, e.g. positioned close to water’s edge and moved
Assess surf conditions.
with the tide, as shown in the diagram.
Check equipment and First Aid supplies.
Defining the Flagged Area
Identify potential dangers.
When selecting the safest area of the beach for swimmers
Define emergency procedures and role of each Surf
and the position of equipment, Surf Lifeguards should be
Lifeguard Patrol member as per the Club Patrol
in an elevated position to gain a true picture of the beach
Operations Manual.
conditions. Surf Lifeguards should also physically test the
Set up the Beach selected area with a swim before the Patrol Flags are placed.
Set out Patrol Flags.
Movement of the Patrol Flags and equipment to as close
Set out signage where necessary. to the water’s edge as practical when the tide falls is an
Set out Rescue Equipment. important function of patrol operation.
10 Setting up a Patrol If there is a significant shift in the flagged area during the
The Patrol Captain is in charge of all aspects of the Patrol. day, the Patrol Captain should make a public announcement
This includes: to notify beach-goers of the change. It is also important to
Defining the safest swimming area, using the red and advise swimmers to swim between the flagged area and/or
yellow Patrol Flags. advise them of the dangers and hazards outside the flags.
Allocation of duties to Surf Lifeguards. Polite requests should be made to any fibreglass board
19
riders within the flagged area to move away, to prevent any
Search and Rescue
injuries to those between the flags.
operations
During the Day
Occasionally, Surf Lifeguards will be asked to take part in
Actively converse with the public.
search and rescue operations during patrol or while off duty.
Perform Preventive Actions. In some situations, Surf Lifeguards may be asked to assist
Perform rescues. in searches in unfamiliar areas away from their own beach,
Rotate duties/watches/activities/training to relieve e.g. in inlets, rivers, lakes, or on other parts of the coastline.
boredom. The main focus of the next section is on missing persons at
Preventing Emergencies the beach.
A good Surf Lifeguard is able to identify a potentially

Missing persons on the beach or at sea
dangerous situation early and take necessary action to
Large crowds and an abundance of activity make reports of
prevent it developing into a real emergency.
missing persons common in the beach environment. In the
These actions are referred to as PREVENTIVE ACTIONS. vast majority of cases, a person reporting someone missing
Some examples are: fears that the person has drowned. Usually, the missing
person is found on the beach later.
Shifting the flagged area during the day because surf
conditions change. Surf Lifeguard tasks
Preventing swimmers from entering a rip or hole. As an on-duty Lifeguard, you may be the first point of contact
Removing broken glass from the beach. for an informant. Your first roles/responsibilities are:
Checking on a swimmer who appears to be in difficulty. Obtain as much information as possible from the
informant about the missing person.
Clearing the beach of swimmers because of a suspected
shark sighting. Keep the informant with you.
Shifting board and ski riders out of the flagged area. Alert the Patrol Captain.
The following questions should be asked:
15 Minutes Prior to End of Patrol
Notify public on beach that the patrol is due to finish. What was the last known point of the missing person?
Consider dropping a bouy or another identifiable object
End of Patrol
that will remain in place at the last known point if in the
Close down Patrol.
water.
Bring in flags and signs. If the person was in the water, did you see him/her
Clean and prepare equipment for next day. submerge?
Complete Patrol, Incident and IRB log forms. General details about the person, age, height, gender,
Debriefing session. complexion, what he or she is wearing.
Be prepared with your fins to get into the water if directed
by your Patrol Captain.
An initial search should be conducted. If the person is still not
found, the Police should be alerted immediately.
Once the Patrol Captain is informed of the situation and
details, you are likely to become a member of the search
team. If you do become part of the searching team, always
follow the directions of the Patrol Captain or the individual
appointed to control the search.
21
3 Respect
As members gain experience and knowledge of the
environment in which they live, work and play, they will
develop respect for it.
Surf and Beach Environment

The unique physical environment members operate in.
Surf Environment
The unique physical environment members operate in
11 Waves
What is a wave?
A wave is a body of water (swell) moving along the surface of
the ocean.
Formation of Ocean Swells and Surf

Wind and storms at sea form pressure differences on the
ocean surface and contribute to the creation of swells.
These undulations travel thousands of miles and gather
together to form swells. 11 (Piha)
12
Size of Swells
The size of swells is determined by three factors:
How hard the wind blows (Velocity).
The length of time it blows (Duration).
The distance it blows (Fetch).
Generally speaking, if any of these factors increases, larger
waves will be produced.
As a swell approaches land and the sea bottom gets
shallower, the waves become higher and narrower, and the
13 distance between each wave becomes shorter. The wave
continues to increase in height until it collapses and topples
over. This is called surf.
Wave Types
12 Spilling Wave
This wave occurs when the top of the wave tumbles down
the face of the wave. These waves are good for swimmers
and board riders. (Piha)
13 Dumper
14 This wave breaks with tremendous force and can easily
throw a swimmer to the bottom. It usually occurs where
there is a steep incline of the sea floor causing the wave
height to increase quickly and dump.
14 Shorebreak
This is a dumper that breaks on a steep beach face. Serious

injuries can result when such waves throw swimmers
violently onto the sand. (Mt Maunganui)
15 Surging Wave
15 This wave may never actually break. This is because the

water is very deep beneath the wave. These waves are
common around rocks and can knock people off their feet
and carry them back into deep water. (Taylors Mistake)
23
Tides Rips and holes
What is the Tide?
Rip Currents
This is the alternate rise and fall of the surface of the sea.
A rip current is a narrow body of water moving out to sea.
It is caused by the attraction of the moon and sun and
It is caused by wave interaction with the environment. Rip
occurs twice a day. When the tide is high, there will be
currents can occur along any coastline that features breaking
less beach than at low tide because the water level is
waves. As waves break, they generate currents that flow in
so much higher. 16 (Lyall Bay)
both the offshore (away from the coast) and the alongshore
Tidal effects on the surf environment directions. The larger the surf, the stronger the rip current.
Changes in the tide can affect the conditions in the Rips often occur where there is a barrier to water movement
environment in a number of ways: along the beach, such as headlands and rocks, or man-
Increase or decrease in the amount of land. made barriers, such as wharves and drainage pipes, as in
Formation of new rips. the permanent rip photo 18 on page 25.
Wave action. How to Identify a Rip Current

Currents. Identifying Features:
For example, at some beaches waves will break at low tide. Calm patches in surf with waves breaking each side.
As the tide rises and waves hit the steep rise, they will start Rippled or criss-crossed water.
dumping as a shorebreak. Waves will also break at high tide,
Discoloured water.
because as the tide falls, less water covers the sand bar and
Foamy water.
the waves will start dumping.
Adjacent sand bars.
Tidal currents also occur at sea, sometimes very close to
Trench or hole
beaches. It is important to know tide changes throughout the
day. Not only will the tide height affect the beach and waves, Escape from a Rip Current
but it will also affect the movement of objects floating at sea. A swimmer caught in a rip should not panic.
This is particularly important in search and rescue operations. The swimmer should ride the current out from the beach until
the current weakens, then swim parallel to the shore for
16 30-40 metres before returning to shore, swimming slowly.
If in trouble:
Float on your back.
Raise your hand.
Wait until the rip stops moving before swimming.
Surf lifeguards can use a rip to their advantage if they need
to get out through the surf quickly.
Surf Environment
17
RIP HEAD
rip diagram being re-drawn
NECK
FEEDER CURRENT
BEACH
17 Rip Current Components Types of Rips

There have been various international studies completed on
Feeder Current
rip classification. As yet, no study has been conducted in NZ.
This current moves parallel to the shore and may be either
Completed international studies discuss four main types of
fast-flowing, or almost indistinguishable.
rips. Each type is greatly affected by the characteristics of
In some situations, there is no danger associated with feeder
the beach:
currents, yet in other situations a swimmer can be swept
18 Permanent rip currents (Karekare)
along the beach and washed into a rip current.
As the name suggests, these rips are stationary year round.
Neck
As the intensity of surf conditions increases, so too does the
This is the river of water moving away from the beach. The
intensity of the rip. The reason for their permanent nature
width of the neck can vary from many metres to only a
is due to very little change in prevailing conditions and on
couple. The majority of rescues and drownings occur in the
the ocean floor. Permanent rips often occur where there
neck, as this is where the rip current has its strongest effect.
is a barrier to water movement along the beach, such as
Head headlands and rocks, or man-made barriers, such as wharves
The head is where the offshore current ends, dispersing and drainage pipes.
the outgoing water in a broad area. The power of the rip is 19 Fixed rip currents (North Piha)
exhausted once the water reaches the head and the water
Fixed rip currents are accompanied by a hole or gully on the
dissipates.
ocean floor, with sand as its primary base. Once established,
the fixed rip may last from several hours to many months.
The length of time depends on the movement of sand. They
are usually created when water from incoming surf increases
25
18 Holes
Besides rip currents, the inshore hole is one of the major
problems for the unsuspecting swimmer and, in particular,
for small children. The formation of holes is related to surf
conditions and rip currents. However, holes can still be
present once both surf and rips have gone. The inshore hole
is commonly a trough that runs parallel to the shore, often
with considerable variation in depth. Swimmers can be swept
into an inshore hole by the backwash of water returning
down the face of the beach. 20
20
19
Rip Tide
Unlike rip currents that are formed by wave energy, rip tides
are caused by tidal action. Rip tides typically occur as water
rushes through estuary and inlet entrances during tidal
changes. 21
21
between the shore and offshore sandbars. The water then

returns to sea through the path of least resistance, the
lowest point in the sandbar system.
Flash rip currents

These are temporary rips generated by increased volumes of
water brought on to the shore. These rips occur unexpectedly,
without warning, and subside rapidly. The nature of these rips
means swimmers can be pulled out to sea quickly from areas
of water that were safe only moments earlier.
Travelling rip currents

Travelling rips move out to sea and along the beach. They
are pushed by the prevailing direction of the waves and
usually occur when the swell is moving strongly in one
direction. Travelling rips moving along the beach can wreak
havoc on swimmers, pulling large numbers offshore.
Surf Environment
Find a Beach website

SLSNZ’s Find a Beach website provides safety, weather, tidal,
fishing and surfing conditions, accomodation, activities, facility and
features information about New Zealand Beaches.
For more information please visit: www.findabeach.co.nz

27
4 Communicate
Knowledge and skills for effective communication
Lifeguard Communication
Types of communication and how to communicate effectively.
Communication
Types of communication and how to communicate effectively
Communicating effectively is an essential part of being a

Verbal Communication
Lifeguard, whether we are communicating to the public or to
Surf Lifeguards communicate verbally in a number of ways:
other patrol members verbally via hand-held radios, or non-
One-on-one, face-to-face.
verbally by using signals. This section will discuss types of
communication and explain how to communicate effectively. Using a hand-held radio.
On the phone.
As a Surf Lifeguard, you might use communication skills in:
In a group discussion.
Performing rescues, alone or in a team.
Speaking to a group.
Informing members of the public about dangers and
Loud speaker or microphone.
safety.
When communicating verbally as a Surf Lifeguard, you will:
Working with other safety organisations and emergency
services. Exchange information
You might ask questions for clarification about an incident, or
Educating and informing others.
give instructions/explanations to a member of the public.
Completing documentation.
Concentrate
Learning new procedures.
On communicating the main points of a skill effectively in a
Working as a member of a patrol team.
training session.
How do we communicate when patrolling? Participate in open-ended discussions
Speaking to Surf Lifeguards and the public face-to-face, To clarify issues or solve problems.
by radio, over a public address system, by phone and
Listen
other communication tools.
To spoken presentations and briefings or explanations, such
Filling in forms and recording information.
as a patrol captain’s briefing at the start of a patrol.
Wearing a Surf Lifeguard uniform to inform the public who
To communicate effectively, we have to match our language
you are.
to the situation. We need to clearly work out:
Using gestures to help the public understand your
The purpose of the communication - what?
message, e.g. pointing in the direction you want people
The audience of the communication - who?
to move.
The best form of the communication - how?
Using signals to communicate with fellow Surf Lifeguards
We also need to:
and members of the public.
Check that our message was understood, by getting
Using flags and signs to help the public use the beach
feedback from the receiver.
safely.
Make sure that we have defined and accepted chains of
communication (i.e. patrol member to Patrol Captain).
Use enough words to ensure our message is understood,
but not too many for the receiver to understand.
Use recognised or shared terms and language.
Make sure the message has a clear structure.
29
Radio Communication 22 Some Basic Rules
Radio communications provide a quick, simple, and efficient Be brief. When you are using the radio, it means that
means of obtaining the assistance, equipment or information others cannot. You may by preventing somebody else
needed during lifesaving operations. from calling for assistance in an emergency. Avoid
meaningless conservations.
There are two types of radio networks in use by Surf
Speak carefully and slowly. It is sometimes difficult for the
Lifesaving in New Zealand;
person receiving your message to hear you because of
1. VHF Marine Radio (Public Radio Network).
the background static at long range. If you speak slowly
2. Private Radio Networks or Land Mobile Network. and clearly across the microphone, you will be more
VHF Marine Radio Network easily understood.
VHF Marine Radio is an international communications Don’t carry, pick up or swing the radio by its aerial.
system used by both recreational and commercial vessels. Language. Remember that many other radio users can
It is a combination of simplex and repeaters so ships can hear what you are saying. Avoid hanging out your dirty
communicate with other ships or to the shore. Some clubs or laundry on the radio.
regions use VHF Marine for patrol and/or Search and Rescue. Do not use abusive language.
To legally operate a VHF radio, you MUST hold a VHF radio Do not have arguments.
operator’s qualification. The radio operations outlined in this The New Zealand Radio Frequency Service monitors Radio
section are intended to provide you with adequate knowledge Channels to make sure that they are being used properly.
and skills to operate a radio. The information does not give
you the qualification required. SLSNZ recommends that you
obtain a qualification through your local Coastguard Boating
Education Service. 22
Private Radio Network

Private Radio Networks are networks that may be owned
and operated by SLSNZ or the regions. These networks use
privately licenced frequencies and are solely for the use of
SLS. Although they are private and free from interference from
others users, they still may be monitored by other rescue
and media organisations. These networks may be a mix
of simplex and repeater channels. These networks may be
either analogue or digital radio systems.
Radio Operation Channels
Surf Lifesaving channel – 69
Emergency distress channel – 16
Digital network channel - 03

Setting up Radios for Patrol
Turn Radio “ON”.
Adjust volume to about half way.
Check battery condition on hand-held radios:
Either a light or a meter will indicate the battery level.
Check that you are on the correct channel.
Adjust the squelch control until a static noise occurs, then
turn it backwards until the static noise just disappears.
Note: Some modern radios have an automatic squelch control.
Place hand-held radios in splash-proof protective bags.

Perform a radio test by calling another radio.
Communication
Call Signs Pro Words

To avoid confusion, each Surf Lifeguard with a radio (i.e. You may hear or use procedural words (pro-words) when
hand-held or base set) is given a call sign, e.g., “Titahi Bay operating a radio. Pro-words are a single word or phrase
Tower”, “Titahi Bay Inflatable”, “Titahi Bay Mobile”. with a common meaning and provide a quick and simple
“Over” way to keep transmissions short. Pro-words should be used
This word means that you have finished speaking and you where possible.
want an answer, e.g., “Can you check on that swimmer by Go ahead - Proceed with the transmission of your message.
the rocks? Over.” Standby - Please wait until I call you back. I need to
“Out” complete my current job or get more information or
This means that you have finished your conversation and assistance for you. Other stations may transmit.
that the channel is now free for other radio operators to use, Roger - I have received and understood all of your last
e.g., “Roger. Titahi Bay Tower, I am returning to base. Out”. transmission.
Wilco - Your last message has been received, understood
and will be complied with. I will do what you have asked me
Using the Radio in Conversation
to.
Listen Before You Speak. If you cut across another
Say again - I missed part or all of your last transmission.
conversation, nobody will hear anything sensible.
Transmit it again.
Hold the microphone 10 cm from your mouth.
Correction - An error has been made; the correct version
Press the Transmit Button. Speak after 1 second.
is...
Give the call sign of whom you wish to talk to.
To attract their attention, say this twice, e.g., “Titahi Bay Affirmative - Yes or Permission is granted
Tower, Titahi Bay Tower.” Speak across microphone, not Negative - No or Permission is not granted
into it. Over - I have finished my message and expect a reply.
Identify yourself using your call sign, e.g., “This is
Out or Clear - The conversation is finished and I don’t
Titahi Bay Inflatable. Over.”
expect a reply. Used at the end of transmission as an
Release the Transmit Button. Otherwise you will not indication to other stations that the network is clear and free
hear anything. for use.
Wait for a reply, e.g., “Titahi Bay Inflatable, this is Titahi Break - I have finished a conversation with one station and
Bay Tower, receiving you, go ahead. Over.” am calling another without breaking my transmission.
Note: If there is no reply, repeat your call.
Proceed with your conversation.

Surf Rescue Communication Centre (SurfCom)
Use the correct procedures, e.g.,
The main roles of SurfCom are to:
Titahi Bay Inflatable: “Titahi Bay Tower, Titahi Bay Tower,
Provide general information to all lifesaving
this is Titahi Bay Inflatable. Over.”
services.
Titahi Bay Tower: “Titahi Bay Inflatable, this is Titahi Bay
Tower receiving you. Over.” Gather and record operational information.
Titahi Bay Inflatable: “We have completed our search. Coordinate major incidents when several lifesaving
Nothing sighted. Over.” services are involved.
Titahi Bay Tower: “Roger, Titahi Bay Inflatable, please Liaise with other emergency services.
return to base. Over.”
For example, during a major rescue SurfCom may assist
Titahi Bay Inflatable: “Roger, Titahi Bay Tower, I am
you by calling the most appropriate rescue services and
returning to base. Out.”
recording key information.
SurfCom may call you during patrol duty for information on
your patrol strength and equipment. Clubs without SurfCom
support should maintain an index listing contact numbers
for other rescue and emergency services and key club
members.
31
Emergency Procedure air-dried.
1. In an emergency, a Surf Lifeguard may have to cut If a radio is dropped in water you must immediately:
across another conversation. To clear the channel, 1. Turn the radio off
press the Transmit Button and say, “RESCUE - RESCUE
2. Check for damage to the unit
- RESCUE” followed by your call sign, e.g., “Rescue -
Rescue - Rescue. This is Titahi Bay Inflatable.” 3. Check that the unit is operating correctly
2. All other radio users on that channel must stop talking If water has penetrated the unit:
and stand by to provide any assistance. 1. Remove the battery and antenna
Rescue Reporting 2. Submerge the unit in fresh water (distilled water is best)
When reporting an emergency, remember the four Ps: for a minute or so to remove or dilute salt water
Four Ps example: 3. Remove from the water, shake gently and pat dry any
Position: One kilometre south of Patrol Tower, excess water – dry it in the air, out of the sun
200 metres off shore. 4. Advise your patrol captain, club radio officer and fellow
Problem: Surf Cat has capsized. patrol members of your actions
People: Two people need help. 5. Record the damage and actions taken in an appropriate
Progress: We have one IRB on its way to assist with two log book.
lifeguards on-board.
MAYDAY - MAYDAY - MAYDAY
This is an international distress signal given when a ship or
boat is in a life-threatening situation and needs immediate
help.
If you hear this, stop and listen carefully to the distress
message that will follow.
Contact the Police immediately.
Radio Maintenance
To maintain maximum operating efficiency of radio
equipment, and to prolong service life, all equipment should
be regularly maintained and checked.
All radios should be checked prior to, and after, their use,
including:
• Operation of on/off and volume control knobs or buttons
• Operation of channel change control knobs or buttons
• Operation of PTT button (Push To Talk)
• Damage to the case or antenna
• Check if water has penetrated the unit
• Check that the microphone is free from water
• Signs of water penetration around and under the battery
• Battery contacts are in good condition
• Operation of any programmed buttons
• Display screens (if fitted) are clearly readable
• Perform a radio check
After use, bags, cases and harnesses should be rinsed
lightly with fresh water to remove salt water and sand then
Communication
Types of communication & how to communicate effectively
Non-Verbal Communication Facial expressions.

Posture.
Communication is more than just words. In fact, words are
only a small part of communication. One study looked at the Gait.
influence of words, voice and gestures and found that the Gestures or hand signals.
message was made up of: General physical appearance.
7% words. Mode of dress and grooming.
38% audible non-verbal communication, such as voice Sounds.

tone, stress, pace and pitch. Voice tones, pitch, volume, pace.
55% visual non-verbal communication, such as body Silence.
gestures, postures and facial expressions.
Non-verbal communication plays an important part in the 23
overall communication process. You need to be aware of

your own non-verbal communication and to be able to
notice and read the non-verbal communications of others.
Body language can be positive, complementing the verbal
message being sent. For example, if you want swimmers
to move so that they are between the flags, blow a whistle
to gain their attention, speak politely but firmly into a
loudspeaker, or use a loud voice, asking them to move back
to between the flags. Point to where you want them to move
and begin to move in that direction. Smile in affirmation as
they move.
Non-verbal communication can also be negative, and
conflict with the verbal message. Frowning, leaning over
people and wagging fingers are all examples of non-verbal
communication methods that can be negative in their effect
on others.
The way we dress as a Surf Lifeguard is important. When we
wear a recognised uniform, we tell people that expertise is
present and that we are of service to them.
We stand out and are easily found, and we give people the
message that we care. It is also important that our dress
and actions give a safety message. Sun Smart clothing, Signals
appropriate clothing for in the water, such as togs and Signals are another type of non-verbal communication used
wetsuits, and behaviour, such as swimming between the flags commonly by Surf Lifeguards. Arm signals and/or flag or tube
and taking care when using a IRB, are crucial in terms of what signals are used to communicate from the land to the sea.
they communicate about our organisation to the public. A Surf Lifeguard should continue to send a signal until it is
It is important that you get feedback on both your verbal clear that the message has been understood by the receiver.
and non-verbal communication skills while you are training Signal communication is not limited to the use of rescue
so that you can be an effective communicator as a Surf tubes. Alternatives include arms, paddles, flags, or
Lifeguard. signalling discs. These methods do, however, have their
23 Remember that the following non-verbal advantages and disadvantages. For example, when a
communications forms can be ‘read’: cross wind is blowing, signal flags can be easily seen, but
Gesture. when the wind is blowing onshore, flags are difficult to use.
Body language. Diagram on following page.
Touch.
Eye contact.
33
Signalling From Land to Sea
To Attract Attention between Boat and Shore Return to Shore Proceed Further out to Sea
Two rescue tubes waved to and fro, One rescue tube held above the head. Two rescue tubes held above the head.
crossing above the head.
Message Understood-Clear. Proceed in the direction indicated Remain stationary

One rescue tube held stationary above One rescue tube held at arm’s length Two rescue tubes held at arms length
the head and cut away quickly. parallel to the ground and pointed in the parallel to the ground.
required direction.
Signalling From Sea to Land
Pick up Swimmers.
One rescue tube waved in a circular manner around Ok Signal
and above the head and a second held parallel to the Internationally recognised diver’s signal.
water’s edge and horizontal to the ground. After signal is One arm is curled round the top of the
acknowledged by craft, direct to swimmers as required.
head to form an “O”.
Shore Signal Received and Understood All Clear Assistance Required

One arm held vertically, then cut away Both arms held in the horizontal position. One arm waved to and fro above the head.
sharply.
Communication
Graphic Signs and Flags

Patrol Flag and
Communication Swim Between Flags Sign
The following signs are examples of those
used by Surf Lifeguards in New Zealand. International Patrol Flag.
For more information on signs and Used together, this Flag and Sign indicate
flags, refer to the Water Safety Signage Surf Lifeguard Patrolled Areas. SWIM
document: NZS 8690:2003 BETWEEN FLAGS sign can also be used
separately at beach access ways and
other areas to indicate where the flagged
area is.
Swimming Not Advised

Used to indicate localised danger areas,
such as rips, holes or when the beach is
closed. If the surf is too dangerous to set
out PATROL FLAGS, then these signs are
placed on the beach instead.
Strong Current
Placed on the beach to indicate to beach-
goers that there is a RIP present.
Shark Sign
International “Shark“ Logo.
Used when there is a shark sighting.
Remove PATROL FLAGS and place
SHARK sign on the beach.
Danger Flag
International “No Swimming“ Logo.
Fly from Clubhouse in place of the
PATROL FLAG when sea conditions are
too dangerous to designate a patrolled
area on the beach.
Signal flag
Used for communicating with other Surf
Lifeguards through the SLSNZ signals
system. Now largely replaced by rescue
tubes.
Hazard Sign
Used in conjunction with a worded
message below the sign, e.g., Stinging
Jellyfish.
Swimming Permitted
This sign is used to show areas where
swimming is permitted.
35
Effective Communication 24 Barriers to Communication
Effective communication is the giving and receiving of There are many barriers to effective verbal communication.
information in a way that is clear and easily understood We can help recipients of our spoken communication by
by both the communicator and receiver. Effective recognising and avoiding barriers.
communication is one of a Surf Lifeguard’s greatest skills. Make sure background noise does not prevent them
The skill of sending and receiving messages in a variety of hearing the message e.g., crowd noise, waves, outboard
ways helps Surf Lifeguards to save lives, to inform and to motors.
educate. Use language appropriate to their language skills and
Effective communicators must understand that different understanding and use other methods of communication.
language is used in different situations. Language changes, If you are speaking to a person who has English as a
depending on: second language, don’t use jargon.
Don’t make assumptions about them, or their beliefs or
What we are communicating about.
feelings on an issue.
The language used on patrol is different from that used
when talking about what someone did last night in general Listen to them. Make sure you understand what they are
conversation. telling you.

Avoid conflict with them. Don’t argue.
Who we are communicating with and the relationship we
Use an appropriate tone, emphasis and volume. Use a
have with them.
calm voice. Don’t shout.
The language used when talking with members of the public
is different to that used with fellow Surf Lifeguards.
How the communication takes place, whether it is
spoken or written.
The language used when we fill out the patrol log is different
to that used when talking to members of the patrol.
To communicate effectively, we match our language to the
situation. We need to work out:
The purpose of the communication - what.

The audience of the communication - who.
The best form of the communication - how.
Five skills to ensure effective communication

There are five key skills that you need to understand and
master to be an effective communicator.
Pay attention
Show the speaker you are interested in what is said.
Observe
Watch the speaker to pick up non-verbal signals.
Listen
Use any pauses in the conversation to think about what the
speaker is saying.
Summarise
Put what the speaker has said into a short concise statement
to clarify what you have heard and understood.
Respond
Show that you have been listening by responding in an
appropriate manner.
24
message TRANSMISSION message

sent CHANGES received
IDEA UNDERSTOOD
(intended meaning) (meaning interpreted)
BARRIERS
Background noise
Language limitations
Assumptions
Physical distractions
FEEDBACK
Body language
Facial expressions
Verbal
Listening Skills
To be an effective communicator, you need good listening
skills. There are three levels of listening. You should aim for
the third level.
Non-hearing
When we are not taking in what is said. We make noises, for
example, um, ah or perhaps nod encouragingly, but don’t
really listen.
Hearing
We hear it all and can even remember little bits of the
conversation, but we probably can’t respond adequately. We
may say yes or no, and nod occasionally.
Listening and thinking

Active listening. We hear and think about what is being said
without tuning out. We respond in an appropriate manner to
what is being said. We absorb it.
37
5 Respond
This section gives details on rescue equipment used by
Surf Lifeguards and outlines the skills and knowledge they
require to respond to rescue situations.
Rescue Equipment
Rescue equipment used by Surf Lifeguards.
Surf Lifeguard Skills

The skills and knowledge required to respond to rescue situations.
Rescue Equipment
Rescue equipment used by Surf Lifeguards
Rescue Equipment 25
Special training and the use of rescue equipment are essential

to lifeguard operations. An in-depth knowledge of this
equipment is required by patrol captains and senior lifeguards.
The equipment’s strengths, weaknesses and limitations must
be known so the patrol captain can employ the right asset at
the right time.
Remember that the daily priority goals of a lifeguard are:
Prevention, Recognition and Rescue

Equipment alone cannot reduce the numbers of people who
drown or need rescuing on New Zealand beaches. A skilled
user, however, can utilise rescue equipment to help prevent
people getting into difficulty. 25 Rescue Tube
It is important that equipment is standardised throughout surf The rescue tube is a flexible foam buoy withvinyl skin and
lifesaving rescue services to ensure consistency and proper embedded strap. Its three major components are:
training in its use.
Flotation capability.
Lifeguard Safety Lanyard/leash.
Drowning victims are desperate for buoyant support. A Harness/shoulder strap.
panicked victim is, therefore, a real threat to an approaching
The rescue tube and surf fins are the core equipment of
Lifeguard. The victim may attempt to grab the lifeguard,
a Lifeguard. Whenever a lifeguard is on duty, he or she
forcing both underwater and into a mutually life-threatening
must always have immediate access to a rescue tube. The
situation. Buoyant rescue devices provided to victims have
rescue tube forms a part of a Lifeguard’s personal safety
an immediate calming effect because the primary source of
equipment and should be available to the Lifeguard at all
fear (submersion) is eliminated. This allows the Lifeguard to
times while on duty.
safely rescue the person.
Listed below are some reasons for having the rescue tube on
Speed hand at all times:
Because the success of some rescues depends greatly on
Constant Readiness
how fast a lifeguard can reach a victim, equipment has been
If a lifeguard is away from his or her station, a fundamental
adapted or developed to decrease Lifeguard response time.
piece of rescue equipment remains at hand for a sudden
response.
26 Identification to the Public

Rescue tubes are distinctive and recognisable. When help
is needed, people will quickly see and identify the person
carrying the rescue tube as a Lifeguard. In a rescue, the
rescue tube helps identify a Lifeguard during water entry,
possibly helping clear the way on a crowded beach or
avoiding confrontations. When a Lifeguard responds to a
rescue with a rescue tube, even in shallow water, people
will often focus their attention on the area, which can be
helpful in bringing family members to the scene to help with
information or ensure better future supervision. In the water,
a victim seeing a swimmer approach may not know the
person is a lifeguard without the presence of a rescue tube.
39
26 27
Identification to fellow lifeguards 27 Surf Fins

Like other people at the beach, lifeguards may be easily
At many Surf Life Saving Clubs, the individual Lifeguard
lost in the crowd, although their bright yellow shirts help
has his or her own personal set of surf fins. The obvious
make them more visible. The characteristics, shape and
advantage of surf fins is the added speed and power that
colour of the rescue tube can assist in identifying a patrolling
they give to the responding Lifeguard. In rocky areas, surf
Lifeguard.
fins provide protection for the feet. They can also be useful
Multiple Uses during search and recovery procedures requiring diving.
Rescue tubes can be used in conjunction with other
Use and selection of surf fins
equipment and taken along without interfering with other
Surf fins should be used in rescues that require a long
devices. Rescue tubes can be adapted to almost any rescue
approach swim and in deep-water rescues involving
situation. They can be modified to carry and store special
currents.
rescue equipment, such as one-way breathing masks. They
Surf fins are not, however, needed in shallow water rescues
can be used for a wide variety of signals on the beach and in
because the time to put on surf fins can delay response.
the water.
Advantages of the Rescue Tube

Hydrodynamic: The rescue tube creates very little drag for a
lifeguard towing it.
Secures the Victim: The victim is actually wrapped in it.
Rescue boat use: It is easily stored and is soft.
Limitations of the Rescue Tube

Single victim use: The rescue tube can be used for more
than one victim, but is designed for a single victim.
The clip of a rescue tube can cause lacerations or other
injury. This is unusual, but it is best to secure the tube
around the victim to avoid this problem. The rescue tube
is particularly susceptible to environmental degradation. It
should be stored hanging up out of the sun.
28 30
30 IRBs - Inflatable Rescue Boats

28 Rescue Board
Inflatable Rescue Boats, or IRBs, were used first by the
The rescue board is an important piece of rescue
Lifeguards of Australia and New Zealand. These boats are
equipment. It is made from a polyurethane foam and/or
polyester glass. This construction makes the board buoyant typically about three metres long and use a small outboard
enough to easily carry two people. Rescue boards are motor (surf special) of 30 horsepower for propulsion. Most
almost always kept as rescue equipment in or near the often, an operator and a crewperson, who sit on the inflated
flagged area. The bright yellow colour helps beach-goers pontoons while holding handles, staff them. The relatively
identify Lifeguards in the water. low weight of these craft allows them to be moved and
launched easily. To keep the vessels light, fuel bladders made
Advantages of the Rescue Board
of synthetic material replace fuel cans. Because they are
Quick response: The rescue board can be paddled more
operated close to swimmers, a propguard is attached to the
quickly than swimming to the patient.
outboard.
High buoyancy: Rescue boards can be used to float a
Advantages of the IRB
number of conscious victims.
IRBs are perhaps the most versatile boats available to
Fending off: Rescue boards can be effectively used to
Lifeguards. Used by trained operators, they can successfully
fend off a panicked victim.
handle large surf conditions. IRBs can be easily operated
Limitations of the Rescue Board in the surf line for extended periods of time. They are fast
Insecure victim: Unlike the rescue tube, a rescue board
because they draw little water as they float across the surface.
does not secure the victim in place. It is the responsibility
When necessary, an IRB can hold two to three victims. In a
of the lifeguard to secure the victim on the board.
mass rescue, the IRB can be used as a raft to which many
Single victim use: The rescue board can be used for
victims can cling until brought to the beach by Lifeguards. IRBs
more than one victim, but is designed for a single victim.
can be successfully used close to large crowds of swimmers
High skill level: Lifeguards using rescue boards with limited risk.
require a high level of skill, depending on conditions, to
Limitations of the IRB
successfully complete a board rescue and negotiate the
IRBs have drawbacks. They are small open boats in which
surf conditions.
the operator and crew can be subjected to heavy bouncing
over waves, and to wet conditions. IRBs can be manoeuvred
well by a trained operator, but when they are used to tow
other vessels, they can be difficult to steer because they do
not have an effective keel. They require constant, though
inexpensive, maintenance. When caught in the wrong
orientation by a breaking wave, IRBs can be flipped. Even
then, however, their soft design means they present less risk
than boats with a rigid hull.
Rescue Equipment
Rescue equipment used by Surf Lifeguards
41
29
29 Rescue Water Craft

A Rescue Water Craft (RWC) commonly known as a
Personal Water Craft (PWC) or Jetski is specially outfitted for
surf interaction and operated by at least one qualified Surf
Lifeguard.
The main use of the RWC is for Support Services, this is
defined as the provision of SLS services over and above the
club patrolling system. Support Services major thrust is to
provide services at remote/inaccessible locations and to
supplement club patrols as applicable.
RWC uses
Rapid response to isolated areas and/or in support of a
patrol incident.
Effective callout after-hours incident vehicle. Effective and
safe use in large surf.
Effective around rocks and in tight operating spaces.
Advantages of the RWC
Speed.
Manoeuvrability around rocks, jetties.
Effectiveness in large surf because they can get out the
back of and/or through the surf efficiently and effectively
Can be operated by one person.
Can be righted and restarted after capsize.
Can be operated in the shallow water of harbours,
estuaries, and inlets.
Limitations of the RWC
Its weight makes it difficult to launch and retrieve.
Its speed and weight pose a risk to other water users.
Significant training, supervision, and adherence to rules
are required.
Two-patient capability, at most.
Lifeguard Skills and
Response Techniques
Skills and knowledge required to respond in rescues
42
Surf Swimming 31
Being a confident and competent swimmer in the surf is

an essential part of being a Surf Lifeguard. Some basic
knowledge needed for surf swimming follows.
Prior to swimming
Lulls
In heavy surf you can watch for a while and look for a pattern
in the waves - maybe six or eight, and then a lull before the
next set. You will have an easier swim through the lull.
Rip Currents
A Surf Lifeguard may need to use the rip current as a means
of getting out the back of heavy surf.
32
Landmarks
Identify landmarks that can be used as a guide while you are
in the water.
Heading out through the surf

31 Wading
The quickest way to get through the shallows is to use the
high hurdle-type stride known as wading. This is achieved
by lifting the knees high and then swinging the legs out to
the side.
32 Dolphin Diving, or Porpoising

Between knee and waist depth, wading becomes difficult. At
this stage a Surf Lifeguard should commence dolphin diving.
33
This technique requires good timing and co-ordination. You
dive into the water, grab the sand with both hands, pull
your knees up to your chest and then push forward off the
bottom. At chest depth you should start swimming.
The Swim Out

On the swim out, you should regularly lift your head to check
where the next wave is, or where the patient is situated. A
good Surf Lifeguard can achieve this without altering his or
her normal swimming action.
33 Negotiating Broken Waves, or Duck Diving

Just before a broken wave reaches you, dive under and grab
the sand, wait for the wave to pass and then push forward
off the bottom with your legs.
Swells, or Unbroken Waves

You can use these to check your position by raising your
head for a quick look when you swim over the top of a swell.
Response Techniques
43
33 Returning through the surf
Body Surfing
Body surfing is the ability to ride waves without any
equipment. The skill required to become a good body surfer
comes from practice.
33 Catching the Wave

As the wave is almost upon you, start swimming towards
shore as fast as you can.
If you are in shallow enough water, you can push off the
bottom for extra speed.
Keep swimming until you feel the wave begin to lift and
carry you. You will probably have to swim a bit to hold your
position on the wave, kicking really deep and hard.
If you started in the right place… you will body surf!
As the wave gets steeper, you will tilt forward and surf along
the face, with white water tumbling and bubbling around or
behind you.
34 How Do I Stop?
As you approach the beach, you will probably want to stop
before you run aground!
You “pull out” by turning your body away from the breaking
face of the wave, or else dive under and grab the sand, wait
for the wave to pass and then push forward off the bottom
with your legs.
Wipe Out
If, or when, you wipe out, keep cool and relax. You’ll tumble
head over heels, surrounded by swirling bubbles and sand.
Curl up in a ball and wait for things to calm down a bit. Then
head for the surface and reposition yourself for the next
wave. While it may seem a long time that you are held under,
it’s no more than a few seconds.
34
44
35 30 Tube Rescue
As mentioned earlier, the rescue tube is the core equipment
of a Surf Lifeguard and should always be able to be at hand.
Tying a Rescue Tube

Roll the connecting cord around the centre of the rescue
tube with the belt tucked in under the last two strands of
cord, so that once the belt is pulled loose from the rope the
rescue tube and the cord will automatically unwind.
Putting on the Rescue Tube

As the tube automatically unwinds when picked up for use
in a rescue, the Surf Lifeguard should place his or her head
and one arm through the belt. The belt should sit on one
shoulder and under the other, crossing the chest diagonally.
It is more comfortable to have the belt on the shoulder
opposite to the side that you breathe on when swimming.
Entering the Water

Swim fins are strongly recommended for use when
performing a tube rescue.
When you enter the water, wade and duck dive to waist
depth, then put on your swim fins before swimming towards
the victim, observing him or her at all times.
35 Approaching the Victim

When you are within voice range, reassure the victim so
you create a calm atmosphere.
Stop about five metres from the victim and push the tube
forward.
The victim will grab the tube, which will keep him or her
afloat.
When the victim has calmed down, the rescuer should
clip the tube around him or her.
Multiple Victims
When two people are in difficulty, the Surf Lifeguard should
assess the best order in which to assist the victims. Let other
Surf Lifeguards know you need help by giving the ‘assistance
required signal’ while approaching. The first victim should
be secured with the tube. Then assist any other victim(s) to
a position where they can lock their arms inside the tube to
keep themselves afloat.
While waiting for assistance, the rescuer should talk to
victims, explaining what will happen when assistance arrives.
Ask questions to keep them calm, e.g., What is your name?
Where are you from? How old are you?
Response Techniques
45
Unconscious Victim Return to shore
Upon reaching an unconscious victim, the rescuer should The Surf Lifeguard encourages the victim to lie back and
immediately give the ASSISTANCE REQUIRED signal. assist by kicking while you swim towards shore, taking
The rescuer should clip the tube around the victim and advantage of surf conditions. 37
immediately carry out the standard assessment procedure. Once in the wave zone, the Surf Lifeguard should do
To secure an unconscious victim who is face down in the backstroke to keep an eye on the victim and the surf. 38
water: If a large wave approaches, the Surf Lifeguard should go
Approach the victim from behind. back, secure the victim and tell him or her to hold their
Holding the clip end of the tube, reach under the armpit breath as you both go under the wave. 39
and across the chest of the victim. Try to duck your heads under the wave and then, while
With your free hand, grab the clip end from under the holding on to the tube kick for the surface.
victim’s other armpit and clip the tube up. On reaching the shallows, the rescuer helps the patient to
The victim’s head should be held above the water while dry land. The rescuer should walk backwards to keep an
you do this. 36 eye on the surf.
Pull the victim on to his or her back and turn the tube
towards you so you do not tangle the rope, and so the
37
clip is above the chest. You may need to have the clip on
the second ring or rope to achieve this.
36
38
39
46
40
Double Tube Tow 41

A Surf Lifeguard providing back-up can assist in returning the
victim to shore by using a double tube tow. This is effective
when you have a large victim or when conditions are difficult,
such as coming out of a rip or near rocks.
The second Surf Lifeguard attaches the clip end of his or

her tube to a ring on the first Surf Lifeguard’s tube.
Surf Lifeguards swim back to the beach parallel to each
other about one metre apart. The second Surf Lifeguard
should be nearly a body length in front, so that the two
rescuers do not tangle with each other. 40
Once in the surf zone, one Surf Lifeguard should do
backstroke to keep a watch on the victim and the surf.
If a large wave approaches, one Surf Lifeguard should
go back and secure the victim, and tell him or her to hold
their breath as you both go under the wave. The other Surf
Lifeguard should go out to the side to avoid a tangle.
41 Two-Person Drag
The two-person drag is one of the easiest ways to transport
a victim who is unable to walk.
Put the victim in a sitting position with his or her arms

extended outwards. One Surf Lifeguard stands on one
side, with the other on the other side.
The Surf Lifeguards each put one arm, (the one closest to
the victim), under the victim’s armpit and grasp the clip of
the tube next to each other.
The Surf Lifeguards use their outside arms to support the
victim’s arms near the elbow.
The Surf Lifeguards lift together, using their inside arms
(the outside arm is only a support), then walk the victim
up onto the beach.
Response Techniques
47
42 42 Single Person Drag
The single person drag is the best way to handle an
unconscious victim when there is nobody to help you.
Grasp the victim in a shoulder grip, maintaining an open

airway.
Drag the victim from the water to the beach as quickly
as possible.
Hint: The higher you hold the victim, the easier it is to drag.
Gently lower the victim onto his or her back, releasing

your grip and supporting the victim’s head in a maximum
head tilt.
The victim is now in a position to be assessed.
On shore
Once you have made it onto the beach, you should:
Check the health of the victim.

Talk to the victim about safe swimming habits.
Inform Patrol Captain.
Complete an SLSNZ Incident Form.
Recovery Position (side stable position)

The recovery position is used to monitor victims who have
a low level of consciousness and who are unable to move
themselves into a position that allows the Surf Lifeguard to
monitor their Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
Tows
43 Cross chest tow
Use when water conditions are rough, as it keeps the
victim’s face clear of the water.
Approach the person in difficulty from behind. Pass one arm

over the corresponding shoulder and chest of the victim.
Grip under the armpit and clamp the elbow to the
victim’s chest.
Use the scissor kick in conjunction with your lower arm
stroke.
44 Double armpit tow

Use when you need to control the victim’s body position or
if you have a larger patient.
The rescuer grips both armpits with straight arms and uses
the lifesaving backstroke kick to tow the victim to safety.
48
Tows Carries
43 Cross chest tow 45 Two-person carry
Use when water conditions are rough, as it keeps the victim’s Kneel on one knee behind the patient, with your other
face clear of the water. foot grounded close to your knee.
Approach the person in difficulty from behind. Pass one arm Place each arm underneath the armpit directly in front of
over the corresponding shoulder and chest of the victim. you, with one hand supporting the head by holding the chin.
Grip under the armpit and clamp the elbow to the Lift the patient’s torso up, leaving the feet on the ground.
victim’s chest. The second Surf Lifeguard lifts the patient’s legs and
Use the scissor kick in conjunction with your lower arm holds them near the knee. The higher up they are held,
stroke. the less weight the first Surf Lifeguard takes.
The Surf Lifeguard holding the legs must communicate
44 Double armpit tow
with the other Surf Lifeguard to direct him or her along a
Use when you need to control the victim’s body position or
safe route.
if you have a larger patient.
The rescuer grips both armpits with straight arms and uses 45
the lifesaving backstroke kick to tow the victim to safety.
43
44
Response Techniques
49
46 Releases
Surf Lifeguards are strongly advised to use recognised surf
rescue equipment such as IRBs, rescue tubes, or rescue
boards when they carry out a rescue.
However, it is still important to know how to keep yourself out
of danger when you to perform a rescue without equipment.
46 Defensive Position
When approaching conscious people in difficulty, the use of
a defensive position allows a Surf Lifeguard to make a final
assessment safely.
Maintain a safe distance from the person in difficulty.
Tuck your legs under your body and push them forward.
Maintain position by sculling.
Give clear instructions and encouragement. When the
person in difficulty attempts to grasp you:
Tuck your legs under your body and push them forward in
the defensive position. Kick away vigorously.
Adopt the defensive position again at a safer distance.
Communication with the patient must be made after the
release has been completed.
Blocking Technique
When a person in difficulty lunges suddenly at a rescuer
before the rescuer can move away, the following blocking
47 techniques can be used.
If the rescuer has a rescue tube, it can be used as a block
between the victim and the rescuer. The rescue tube will also
provide support to the victim.
Arm block
The rescuer’s arms can be extended to press against the
victim’s chest. The rescuer then either dives under the victim,
or combines a strong arm thrust with a quick reverse against
him or her.
Leg block
The rescuer adopts a tuck position, placing one foot against
the victim’s chest, shoulder or hip, and extends the leg to
push off (not kick), forcing the victim away.
Escape Techniques
47 Escape from a wrist grasp
When a patient grasps your wrist with two hands:
Reach down or up between the arms of the patient and
grasp your own hand.
When your arm is going up between the patient’s arms,
pull your arms down with force, or pull up if your arm is
down between the patient’s arm.
When a patient grasps your wrist with one hand:
Reach down or up on the outside of the patient’s arms
and grasp your own hand.
When your arm is going up, pull your arms down with
force or pull up if your arm is down.
50
If this does not break the patient’s grasp, splash water Push the elbow up as vigorously as possible.
into his or her eyes with your free arm.
Every five minutes, change your Posture, Position and
48 Escape from an ankle grasp
Scanning Pattern.
Twist your body to finish either on your side or in the To reduce eye fatigue, move your head and eyes together.
prone position.
Rotation keeps you more alert.
Use a gentle kicking motion until you are clear of the
Movement helps to prevent boredom.
patient.
Count people in the area every five minutes.
49 Escape from a front grasp
Connect the Dots: Work your way through the area you are
scanning by moving your eyes from head to head.
Take a deep breath and tuck your chin close to your
chest to protect your throat. Head Count
Grasp victim’s elbows/armpits, pushing your thumbs into Try to count the number of people in your area, to conclude
the inside of the elbow/armpits. each five-minute period.

49
Push the victim’s arms above your head so you can slide
under. Duck under water to escape being caught again
by victim’s legs or arms.
50 Escape from a rear grasp

Take a deep breath and tuck your chin close to your
chest to protect your throat.
Grasp the victim’s elbow at the back of your head, as well
as the wrist on the same arm.
50
48
Response Techniques
51
Victim Identification Scanning
On the Beach A Surf Lifeguard on ‘watch’ duty should observe all beach
A good Surf Lifeguard is able to pick out those people on and surf users. Priority should be given to those swimming
the beach who are potential victims. within the flagged area.
Children This Surf Lifeguard needs to be on the lookout for:
A young child in the shallows can easily be knocked over Swimmers in difficulty. See section on Victim
by a wave and dragged out to sea. Parents should be Identification.
encouraged to be with their children in the water.
Anything that may prove a hazard to the beach-going public.
Elderly people
51 Scanning Procedures
Usually lack physical strength and stamina, as do those who
Scanning is the systematic watching of an area, its users
are overweight.
and their activities. Effective scanning is the foundation of the
Very thin people Surf Lifesaving patrol (surveillance and prevention) system.
May lack physical strength and are more likely to get cold Scanning requirements and techniques are affected by
quickly. different factors, including:
Migrants The number of users and their activities.
Generally have little experience of New Zealand surf The number of Surf Lifeguards and their location.
conditions. The level of experience and training of the Surf Lifeguards
Flotation Users on duty.
Rubber tyres, wave skis, lilos, boogie boards. A flotation The beach layout and any special geographical features.
user may not be a competent swimmer. Strong offshore The shape and size of the supervision area.
winds can quickly push a person on a flotation device out Weather and surf conditions affecting visibility.
beyond his or her depth.
Effective scanning assumes that Surf Lifeguards can see the
Intoxicated Persons entire area, that they know what they are looking for, and that
Alcohol/drugs and swimming do not mix! they will recognise it when they see it. The basic principles of
scanning are:
Improperly Dressed
Such as in jeans or lava lava. Surf Lifeguards must be positioned so they can maintain
clear, unobstructed sight-lines.
These people are a real danger. Firstly, the weight of their
clothes increases dramatically when it gets wet, making Surf Lifeguards must take steps to minimise the effect
swimming difficult. Secondly, such people are likely to have of reflection or glare, by changing position or by wearing
had little swimming experience, otherwise they would have sunglasses.
proper swimming gear. Surf Lifeguards’ scanning strategies must compensate
for being unable to see below the surface, and for their
distance from the activity of surf users.
51 Surf Lifeguards must understand the signs of potential
trouble and the characteristic behaviours of those in need
of help.
Surf Lifeguards should be rotated at regular intervals of
about 30 minutes for optimum efficiency. Fatigue and other
factors may reduce the effectiveness of a Surf Lifeguard
after that length of time on scanning duty.
If in doubt, it pays to always go out and check on the
swimmer.
52
The senses and what they tell us and those who fit the high-risk profile, such as a lone child
Surf Lifeguards must use their senses to monitor what is at the water’s edge.
happening around them so they can anticipate and spot trouble.
Where to scan
Vision Sweep your eyes over your zone, moving your head to look
Track the general movement of bathers. at things in front of you, to the right and to the left, and look
Watch for changing weather conditions. behind you regularly. Chair or tower Surf Lifeguards should
Monitor the positions and activities of other Surf Lifeguards. also look below them. Include adjacent Surf Lifeguards
Hearing on each sweep, to make sure you receive any visual
Listen for unusual sounds, which might indicate potential communications they might be sending.
danger. Scan the surface of the water. Attend to known or potential

Listen for signals from other Surf Lifeguards or beach users. danger points, such as rips, gutters, drop-offs, rocky out
crops, more often.
Smell
Smells can warn of dangers that may be silent and/or Five Minute Scanning Approach
invisible. This technique is simple to learn and attempts to organise
Be aware of unfamiliar smells. Surf Lifeguards’ visual search patterns into an organised
strategy. It can, in fact, be adapted for any person engaged
How to Scan
in surveillance or supervision.
Studies indicate that drowning can occur in seconds. The
less time it takes to scan an area effectively, the better. Principles
Surf Lifeguards who have patrolled at a beach for a time Every five minutes, change your Posture, Position and
come to know its characteristic sights and sounds, plus Scanning Pattern.
patterns and rhythms of activity that are normal for that To reduce eye fatigue, move your head and eyes together.
beach during any given period. Rotation keeps you more alert.
Fixed focus Movement helps to prevent boredom.
Focus upon specific people and what they are doing. Count people in the area every five minutes.
Look and listen for the unusual. Posture
Wide focus Three types of postures are used when scanning:
Use your peripheral vision, your side view, to detect Standing.

movement and notice activity. Sitting.
Maintain focus and avoid turning your back to the sea, Strolling.
the area under surveillance, for extended periods. Position
Avoiding fatigue Position yourself so you can see everyone. Three main points
Avoid staring fixedly for long periods at one thing. should be viewed. They can be varied by distance to the
Give your eyes a break by focussing momentarily on surveillance area.
some distant object or on the horizon. Connect the Dots: Work your way through the area you are
Move your visual area by turning your head, not just scanning by moving your eyes from head to head.
your eyes.
Head Count: Try to count the number of people in your area,
Moving focus to conclude each five-minute period.
Move your eyes at a moderate pace across the Grouping: Sort beach users into groups (i.e area of activity)
surveillance area, sweeping back and forth to take
Vertical: Start from the shore and scan out to sea in a straight
in environmental conditions that might affect patrol
line, then move left and scan in a straight line back to shore.
behaviour and safety issues.
Horizontal: Start from the shore or horizon, and scan right
Use moving focus for short periods only.
to left, at the end of the beach sweep and return to the start
Tracking and continue closer in or further out.
Track a particular moving target for a set period. Track the
progress of individuals who submerge (go under the surface),
Response Techniques
53
In the Water 52
Surf Lifeguards must be able to detect a person in trouble.
Signs of a swimmer in difficulty include:
Poor Swimmer
Usually able to keep head above water. Has a swimming
stroke that barely clears the water and no visible kick.
Hair In Eyes
The natural instinct of a person in control is to brush his or
her hair out of the eyes. Hair in the eyes indicates that the
person is more concerned about keeping his or her head
above water.
Facing The Shore 53
This is a sign that the person is concerned about his or her

position and wishes to return to shore. Waves may wash over
the head of the person who makes no attempt to duck under.
Hand Waving
Very few people raise their arm when in distress, either
because of pride or lack of strength. What appears to be a
hand wave may be a call for help.
52 ‘Climbing The Ladder’

This is a person in the initial stages of drowning. His or her
head is usually tilted back and facing upwards. The action is
similar to an upward crawling motion. 54
Arms Flailing
This is an attempt to keep the head above the water. The
person seldom screams or waves for help and appears
panicked.
53 Bobbing Up And Down

This person is attempting to get air and is close to giving up.
54 Unconscious Person
Is completely limp in the water. May be on or under the
surface of the water.
Injured Swimmer
Adopts an awkward position in the water, caused by
grasping the injured limb or body part. May not be able to
wave for help. May call for help.
People Clinging to an Object

Often a sign that they are too tired or frightened to continue
swimming. They may use a boogie board, lilo, or rubber tyre
to keep afloat. May also be clinging to rocks or a pier.
Two Heads Together

This could be two people trying to keep each other afloat.
Be careful … it could also be two lovers.
55
6 Perform
The information in this section covers basic first aid and
CPR.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Knowledge and skills needed to perform effective CPR.
First Aid
Knowledge and skills needed to perform first aid.
Emergency Care
A lifeguard will save the most lives by preventing

Chain of Survival
emergencies from happening. But there are times when
Prevention
a lifeguard, as a first responder, has to perform. The
An essential surf lifeguard function is scanning the water and
knowledge, confidence, and ability to do the right thing at the
the beach, identifying risks, and preventing beachgoer harm
right moment doesn’t just happen accidentally. It has to be
from occurring.
practiced regularly.
Early Recognition and Call for Help
Keep in mind that it is not advanced life support or IV
Surf lifeguards use their training to identify, assess, and
medications that save the most lives in community arrests-
quickly respond to emergency situations and initiate a team
-it is basic life support done correctly. Positioning the head,
response. They are the first link in the chain of survival.
neck, and jaw so the airway is completely unobstructed;
getting air in and out effectively through good mouth-to- Early Access to Medical Assistance
mask ventilation; doing adequate compressions, and getting Surf Lifeguards need to send for assistance when required.
an AED on are key lifeguard skills. They’re not hard skills to Early CPR
learn, but they are hard skills to deploy effectively in once-in- Surf lifeguards begin CPR immediately when a patient is
a-lifetime, life-or-death situation. The only way to get around unresponsive and not breathing normally. All surf lifeguards
this is to learn the material well, and practise it regularly. should know Basic Life Support (BLS). The first five minutes
Keep in mind: are critical in preventing brain damage and death in both
In most arrests due to drowning, prompt and effective drownings and cardiac arrests. After 5 minutes submerged,
ventilation (breathing for the patient) is what will save or in any cardiac arrest without CPR, neurologically-intact
the most lives. In most child arrests, it is again early survival is unlikely. Survival drops roughly 10% per minute
ventilation that will yield the biggest survival benefits. in cardiac arrest. The lifeguard is the first link in the chain
In most non-drowning arrests adults, prompt defibrillation of survival that goes on to Early Advanced Care and Post
with an AED is what will save the most lives. Resuscitation Care in contributing to the chance of survival
In all cases, the New Zealand Resuscitation Council’s from cardiac arrest.
Basic Life Support guidelines should be followed.
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
Knowledge and skills needed to perform effective CPR
57
Initial Assessment possible. Finger sweep the mouth to manually remove
An initial assessment should be used every time a Surf
visible, solid, obstructing foreign bodies in the airway.
Lifeguard responds to a medical emergency.
• If the patient loses their airway during resuscitation, roll
Danger them into recovery position and clear the airway, then
A lifeguard should assess the situation, ensure safety for return patient onto their back to continue resuscitation if
themselves and others, and move the patient to safety if they necessary.
are in a hazardous area. If possible, use three or more people • Remove helmets if necessary to manage airway,
to move the patient. A single rescuer can use an ankle or breathing, or control bleeding.
arm-shoulder drag if needed. Move the head and neck gently
55
if possible, however concern for protecting the neck should
not hinder the evaluation process or life saving procedures.
Do not become a victim yourself.
Responsiveness
Check responsiveness: if the patient is not alert, shout “Are
you all right?” and tap them. If they respond normally they
have a patent airway, are breathing, and have adequate
blood circulation.
Manage a patient who is groaning without eye opening as if
they were unconscious. If there is massive, life-threatening
external bleeding, stop it with immediate, firm, direct
pressure.
If there are multiple victims, the unconscious patient takes
priority over the conscious patient.
airway must take priority when assessing responsiveness.
Send for Help

In a medical emergency, shout for help, and call an
ambulance early.
If you’re alone with an adult who is not breathing
normally, go for help immediately.
If the patient is a child or infant, do CPR for 1 minute
then go for help. If feasible, consider carrying the infant or
small child with you as you go for help.
Ask bystanders to call 111 or activate the emergency
response system. Ask them to return immediately to
confirm that the call has been made.
Airway care takes precedence over spinal and

other injuries.
Signs of obstruction can be subtle in the case of a patient
found unconscious.
In a patient lying on their back, the tongue can fall back,
obstructing the airway. Head tilt-chin lift and jaw thrust
help life the tongue off the back of the throat.
To clear an airway of vomit or other debris, roll the patient,
gently turning the head and opening the mouth so
fluids can drain down and out. Support the head when
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resucitation)
55 Breathing Chest Compressions (CPR)

Take no more than 10 seconds to assess for the presence of Perform chest compressions for all persons who are
normal breathing. unresponsive and not breathing normally.
LOOK for movement of the chest and abdomen; Palpation of a pulse is unreliable and should not be
performed to confirm the need for resuscitation.
LISTEN for air escaping from the mouth and nose; and
Interruptions to chest compressions should be minimised.
FEEL for air movement at the mouth and nose.
If the patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally, 56 Locating the site for Chest Compressions
start CPR immediately.
Perform chest compressions on the lower half of the
If there are occasional gasps of breath, or you are uncertain, sternum.
begin CPR.
Place the heel of your hand in the centre of the chest with
If the patient is not responsive and not breathing normally the other hand on top. Place the second hand on top of
after airway is opened and cleared, the rescuer must the first hand. The heel of each hand should be in line
immediately begin CPR. with the breastbone.
The ratio of compressions to rescue breaths is 30:2. With straight locked elbows and your shoulders over the
Mouth-to-mouth, mouth-to-nose, and mouth-to-mask are victim’s chest, press straight down, using the weight of
all viable methods of rescue breathing. Ensure correct head your body to compress the chest. (1/3 of victims chest
depth or no more than 5cm for larger patients)
tilt, adequate air seal and ventilation.
Using a smooth rhythm (50% on, 50% off), give 30
Risk of disease transmission is extremely low. Rescuers
compressions at a rate of 120 per minute.
should consider using a barrier device if this is available.
Give two rescue breaths, with each breath given over one
second.
55
Continue with a compression to breath ratio of 30:2 for all
ages.
There is no reassessment, unless the victim recovers.
Ventilations
Seal the patient’s nose by pinching the nostrils closed.
Take a normal breath in, make an airtight seal on the
ventilation shield, mask, or patients lips. Blow steadily into
the patient for approximately one second, ensuring visible
rise of the chest.
Remove your mouth and let the patient exhale, as you
take a fresh breath for the next ventilation.
Continue resuscitation until advanced medical help
arrives, the victim recovers, it becomes too dangerous
to continue or you are physically too exhausted to
continue.
56
Defibrillation (AED)
Time to defibrillation is a key factor influencing a patient’s
survival.
A defibrillator should be applied to any patient who is
unresponsive and not breathing normally as soon as it is
available.
Children: Adult pads can be used on a child if no specific
pediatric pads are available. Pads must not touch each other
however, and can be applied.
59
Recovery Position
Slide the patient’s arm nearest to you straight above 57
his or her head. 57
Bend the patient’s far leg up so the foot is flat on the
ground next to the other knee. 57
Bring the patient’s far arm across the body and either
onto the far shoulder or across the chest. 58
Grasping the patient’s far hip/knee and shoulder to roll

the patient onto their side.
The patient’s knee and elbow will make contact with the
ground. 59
Be sure to check the patient’s airway is still open and that

he or she is breathing. 58
Check the patient has no serious bleeding and assess
circulation by checking skin colour and temperature.
59
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resucitation)
CPR Key Points and Ratios Immediately:

Contact the Police, if not already called.
Adult
Cover the victim, head to toe, with a blanket.
CPR
Keep bystanders well clear of the scene.
Ratio is 30:2.
Be sympathetic to the emotions and concerns of family or
Breaths should be given over one (1) second.
friends of the deceased, bystanders, yourself and fellow
If the rescuer is alone, go for help immediately, then return Surf Lifeguards. Provide comfort.
and continue.
Shortly After:
Rate is 100-120 beats per minute.
Avoid discussion with media or bystanders.
The correct compression depth is approximately 1-3 of
Meet with fellow Surf Lifeguards to review and debrief the
the victims chest depth.
situation.
Child (one – eight years) Complete necessary documentation and reports.
CPR Seek support for your emotional needs.
Ratio is 30:2. Surf Lifeguards should be aware that they are likely to suffer
Rate is 100-120 beats per minute. varying degrees of immediate and delayed critical incident
Use one-two hands compressions on a child, in the stress.
centre of the chest between the nipples.
The correct compression depth is approximately 1/3 of
the victim’s chest depth.
Infant (under one year)

CPR
The infant must be lying on a flat firm surface.
Ratio is 30:2.
When ventilating an infant, blow into the nose and mouth
do not tilt the infants head back excessively.
Rate is 120 per minute.
Compressions are performed with only the middle and
index fingers, just below the nipple line.
The correct compression depth is approximately 1/3 of
the victim’s chest depth.
Unsuccessful CPR
CPR success rates in New Zealand are only about
16% surviving to hospital discharge. Lifeguards need to
understand that that even if they did a good job, 84 out of
100 patients won’t make it.
In those cases where the patient doesn’t survive, contact
the police. Cover the patient with a blanket, and keep
bystanders clear of the scene.
Be empathetic to the concerns of the family, bystanders,
other lifeguards. Be sensitive to your own feelings as well.
Afterwards, don’t discuss the case with media or
bystanders. Debrief with fellow lifeguards, complete
necessary documentation. Arrange support for your
emotional needs. SLSNZ provides counselling for lifeguards
involved in stressful incidents like these. Understand there
can be an immediate and a delayed stress response to
critical incidents. Seek support through SLSNZ and your
GP.
61
D DANGER
Ensure that there is no danger to:
YOURSELF > BYSTANDERS > THE PATIENT
Do not become a victim yourself.
R RESPONSIVENESS
Check for a response to voice or touch. Manage a
patient who is groaning without eye opening as if they
were unconscious. Promptly stop any uncontrolled
massive bleeding.
S SEND FOR HELP

If unresponsive, CALL 111 emergency services.
A AIRWAY
Check mouth is clear.
If obstructed roll onto side and clear.
Open the airway by tilting the head backwards.
B BREATHING
Look, listen and feel for normal breathing.
Take no more than 10 seconds to do this.
C CHEST COMPRESSIONS (CPR)

Perform Chest compressions of all persons who
are unresponsive and not breathing normally.
Give 30 COMPRESSIONS and 2 BREATHS
100-120 Compressions per minute.
D DEFIBRILLATION
Time to defibrillation is a key factor influencing a
patient’s survival. A defibrillator should be applied to
any patient who is unresponsive and not breathing
normally as soon as it is available. Follow AED voice
prompts.
First Aid
Knowledge and skills required to perform first aid
Bleeding Internal Bleeding

Signs and Symptoms
Bleeding (haemorrhage) is the loss of blood from blood
Broken bones.
vessels.
Bruises.
Blood may be lost from an external wound and be visible,
Weak, rapid pulse.
or may be internal (unseen) into organs or body cavities,
e.g., lungs or stomach. Cold, clammy skin.
Pain, tenderness, swelling or dislocation at site of
Uncontrolled severe bleeding may lead to shock, collapse
suspected injury.
and death.
Treatment
External Bleeding Internal bleeding is an extremely serious condition, and
Signs needs treatment by qualified medical personnel.
Visible bleeding from cuts and grazes. 60
Monitor Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
Treatment
Administer oxygen if you are trained to use it.
Seek immediate medical assistance if:
Monitor for signs of shock and treat where necessary and
Bleeding continues despite pressure on the wound, lie patient in recovery position (side stable position) with
elevate and rest. affected side closest to the ground.
Victim has pale, cold, sweaty skin or weak, rapid pulse. Seek immediate medical assistance.
Victim has loss of normal function in the injured area. Lifeguards should always wear gloves when dealing
Apply direct pressure against the bleeding site. Use a with victim’s blood. If the victim’s blood contacts the
dressing or even a gloved hand, if necessary. If the victim
lifeguard, wash with soapy water as soon as possible. If
is conscious, he or she may be able to assist you.
there are any cuts on the lifeguard’s hands that come into
If the dressing is soaked thorough, do not remove it. Put
contact with the victim’s blood, seek advice from a medical
another on top and continue applying pressure.
professional.
Maintain firm pressure until bleeding stops, or you are
relieved by someone of higher skill.
If the wound is on an arm or a leg, elevate it if possible Shock
while applying direct pressure if no orthopaedic injury is Shock is the inadequate circulation of oxygenated blood to
evident. the body, especially to the vital organs such as the brain,
If there is a foreign object in the wound, only remove it if it lungs and heart. It is a serious condition that can be fatal
is clearly on the surface and not sticking to the wound. if left untreated, and can be caused by many common
When a foreign object is left embedded in the wound, medical problems.
apply pressure around the object, not over it.
Some of the causes of shock are:
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).
Monitor for signs of shock and treat as necessary.
Severe trauma.
Spinal injuries.
60 Poisons.
Loss of blood.
Exposure to extremes of heat and cold.
Severe burns.
Electric shock.
Gas poisoning.
Heart attack.
Illness or serious infection.
Leading To
Failure of the heart to pump sufficient blood.
Severe blood or fluid loss so that there is insufficient
blood in the system.
63
Enlargement of blood vessels so that there is insufficient Choking
blood to fill them.
Choking occurs when a foreign body obstructs the airway.
Breathing problems, resulting in insufficient oxygen
This most commonly occurs when eating.
travelling through the system.
Signs
Signs and Symptoms
Victim will be distressed.
Weakness, restlessness and anxiety.
Victim may grasp his or her throat.
Cold, clammy, and often pale skin.
Victim may make coughing, spluttering and wheezing
Weak, rapid pulse.
noises, if the obstruction is not complete.
Rapid breathing.
Victim may not be able to speak or cough, if the
Feeling faint and/or sick.
obstruction is complete.
Unconsciousness may develop.
Treatment
61 Management and Treatment
In the first instance, ask the victim, “Are you choking?” If
The primary goal for the Surf Lifeguard is to halt the
he or she can respond, there may be a partial obstruction.
progression of shock. Time is critical and treatment
Encourage the victim to cough send for help, and call an
should begin immediately while urgent transport is being
ambulance.
arranged. The key to managing shock is adequate
ventilation and oxygen: If the obstruction is not corrected by the patient, leave them
Monitor Airway, Breathing, Circulation. sitting or standing and follow the following steps:
Administer oxygen if you are trained to use it. Back Blows

If the victim is uninjured and you are able to, place him or Lean the victim forward and support his or her chest
her on their back, with legs elevated 30cm and the head with one hand.
level with the heart. However, if the patient has breathing Give up to five sharp blows between the shoulder blades
or heart problems, ask what position is the most
with the heel of your other hand. Check whether the
comfortable and help him or her to adjust accordingly.
object has been expelled between each blow.
Loosen restrictive clothing.
If the victim becomes unconscious, the rescuer must start
Identify and provide specific care for any other problems, CPR.
e.g. bleeding.
Chest Thrusts
Protect from heat loss.
If back blows are unsuccessful the rescuer should prefer
Do not give food or fluids to victim.
five chest thrusts.
Reassure victim.
Stand behind your patient, placing your arms around
Seek immediate medical assistance.
them, your fist against the middle of their breastbone,
61
and make a quick inward thrust. The Heimlich maneuver
(abdominal thrusts) is never recommended.
If the victim becomes unconscious, the rescuer must start
CPR.
Infant choking
Lie the infants face down on the rescuers lap.
Support the infant’s head by holding it with your cradling
arm. Be sure not to block the airway.
With the heel of your hand, give five firm back blows
between the infant’s shoulder blades.
If object is not expelled, sandwich the infant between
both your forearms, and rotate them face up so they are
then supported by your other arm. Again, be sure the
head is supported and your own arm is supported on
your thigh.
First Aid
Position the infant face up on the rescuer’s lap for up to

62 Naked Flame & Scalding
five mid-sternum chest thrusts, repeating the cycle as Burn Stopped Remove victim from heat source.
necessary.
Extinguish any flames and remove clothing and shoes that
Repeat this sequence of five back blows and five chest
are not sticking to the burn. Cut around stuck clothing.
thrusts until the obstruction has been relieved or the
Breathing Maintained Administer oxygen if you are
infant becomes unconscious.
trained to use it.
If the infant becomes unconscious, place him or her on a
Body Examined Perform secondary survey to check for
firm surface and begin CPR.
other problems.
Burns Cool Run cold water over burn site for at least 20 minutes.
A burn is the damage caused to skin or deeper body Cover Cover burn with plastic wrap. Glad wrap is ideal.
structures by heat, chemicals, electricity and even extreme Carry Arrange transport to medical facility.
cold. Burns are classified as first, second or third degree Do not use lotions, creams or ointments on burns, as this will
burns, depending on the depth of the burn, with deeper make medical treatment more difficult.
burns scoring higher. Do not pop blisters and, where possible, elevate the
affected limb.
Burn Types
First degree burns
The skin’s surface is reddened, and the skin is not broken, 62
e.g., sunburn.
Second degree burns
Blistering of the skin is present.
Third degree burns

Most of the skin is lost, and muscle, ligaments, and tendons
are damaged.
Assessing burns
Use the acronym SCALD to assess how serious a burn is:
S Size
A burn larger than the victim’s palm requires medical
assistance.
Chemical Burns
C Cause Brush off any dry powder chemicals prior to flushing
A victim with chemical/electrical burns or who has inhaled with water.
smoke/fumes requires medical assistance. Flush affected skin under cold water for at least 15-20
A Age of victim minutes.
Medical personnel should see a victim who is under five
Electrical Burns
years of age or elderly.
Be sure to check for danger with electrical burns. Make
L Location sure the power is off before making contact with the
Medical personnel should see a victim with burns to the patient.
head, neck, hands, feet or genital area. Check the patient for entry and exit burns created by the
D Depth electrical current.
A burn that is visibly deeper than the skin also needs Electrocutions can cause serious underlying damage to
medical attention. the body, so further medical assistance is required.
Remember: A Surf Lifeguard does not treat a burn. what you
Sunburn
are doing is caring for the victim until medical assistance is
available. Sunburn is caused by exposure to the ultra-violet rays
in natural sunlight. It is the main cause of skin damage,
premature ageing and skin cancer.
Prevention
Wear a wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing.
Apply sunscreen frequently.
Remove the sting using tweezers, being careful not to
65
Avoid unprotected exposure to the sun, especially
between 11am and 4pm. squeeze the venom sac. Alternatively, use the edge of a
Signs & Symptoms credit card or similar object to scrape the stinger off the
Redness. skins surface. This eliminates the chance of squeezing
Pain. the venom sac.
Blistering. Assess for allergic reactions.

Fever. Spider Bites
Headache. The spiders most likely to be encountered in New Zealand
Nausea. are the Katipo White Tail and, in some parts of the country,
Tiredness. the Australian Red-back.
Treatment The bites of these spiders are not serious unless the victim
Cold compress. develops anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.
Cold shower.
Treatment
Rest in a cool, shaded place.
Wash the bite area and apply an ice pack. Do not apply
Give fluids by mouth.
ice directly to the skin.
If serious seek medical assistance.
Cover the bite lightly and elevate the limb, if possible.
Remember: All Sunburn is preventable.
Seek medical assistance to determine if an anti-venom
Stings treatment is required, usually through hospitals.
Jellyfish After 24 hours a warm compress and simple painkillers

There are a handful of jellyfish in New Zealand capable of can be used if the victim wishes.
delivering a sting. The most common are the bluebottle and
63
portuguese-man-o-war. Bluebottle and other jellyfish stings
are not serious unless the victim develops anaphylaxis, a
severe allergic reaction.
Regardless of the type of jellyfish sting inflicted, the initial
treatment remains the same:
Keep the victim at rest and under constant observation.
Do not rub or allow rubbing of the sting area.
Initially remove as many tentacles in the water as
possible. This minimises further release of toxin.
Pick off any remaining tentacles with fingers or tweezers.
Treatment
Do not apply vinegar to stings as this may make it worse. Anaphylaxis
Place the victims stung area in hot water (no hotter than (Severe Allergic Reaction)
the victim can comfortably tolerate) for 20 minutes. Signs and Symptoms
If the local pain is un-relieved by heat, or if hot water is A ‘Medic Alert’ bracelet or necklace may be worn.
not available, apply cold pack or ice in a dry plastic bag. Breathing difficulties.
Seek urgent medical help if pain is not relieved or Generalised swelling, including eyelids, lips and tongue.
develops, the sting area is large, or the patient appears to
Difficulty swallowing.
be suffering an allergic reaction to the sting.
Nausea and vomiting.
63 Bluebottle Jellyfish Faintness or collapse.
Bee Stings Treatment
Bee stings are not serious unless the victim develops Stop all movement immediately and lie the patient flat (do
anaphylaxis, severe allergic reaction. Even if the venom sac is not allow them to walk or run around).
separated from the insect, it may still contain venom. Victim may carry medication (auto injector, or EpiPen).
Treatment Assist victim to it.
First Aid
Monitor Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Seek immediate medical assistance.

Administer oxygen if you are trained to use it. Do not attempt to replace bones in their original positions.
Watch for signs of shock and treat as necessary. Support the limb in a comfortable position and seek
Seek immediate medical assistance. medical attention.
If the patient has a shoulder dislocation and finds it
Fractures comfortable in a sling, then use a triangular bandage to

support the shoulder.
Fracture is the term used for a broken bone. Two types of
fractures are: Point the right angle of the bandage toward the elbow of
the injured arm and ease it underneath the arm.
Open fractures
Bring the two other points of the bandage together, tying
A wound is present at the fracture site. Often the bone will
them behind the neck.
poke through the skin.
Secure the right angle point with a safety pin or, if not
Closed fractures available, twist it up and tuck it into the sling. 64
A bone is fractured, but there is no visible wound on the skin.
Signs Watch for signs of shock and treat as necessary.
P Pain.
64
L Loss of Function.
U Unnatural movement.
S Swelling.
D Deformity.
I Irregularity.
S Shortening.
C Crepitus (Crunching Noise).
S Shock.
Treatment
Prevent movement of the fracture site to lessen the risk of
further injury. Relieve pain and reduce possible bleeding.
Control bleeding if present. Sprains
Stabilise the injured limb in a natural position without Sprains are injuries in which ligaments are stretched and/
using force. or torn. Common sprains occur in knees and ankles, usually
Monitor Airway, Breathing, Circulation. caused by sudden twists beyond the joint’s normal range of
Watch for signs of shock and treat as necessary. movement.
If an open fracture is present, you will also need to cover Signs
the exposed bone with glad wrap or a sterile dressing to Pain.
prevent infection. Swelling.
Loss of Power.
Dislocations Discoloration, Redness.
A dislocation is the displacement of a bone end from a joint. 65
Treatment
A common dislocation occurs in the shoulder.
Treat using the acronym RICED.
Signs R Rest Stop all exercise on the damaged joint immediately.
Pain at joint.
I Ice Use an ice pack to reduce internal bleeding and
Swelling. swelling and reduce pain. Crush ice, wrap in towel, and
Loss of mobility. apply ice pack to injury site. The ice must be removed
Deformity at affected joint. after 20 minutes.
Treatment C Compression Wrap crepe bandages over ice pack
67
firmly, but comfortably, to compress the damaged area. 66
Leave fingers and toes exposed to check for swelling or
colour change that may indicate the bandage is too tight.
Numbness and/or tingling will also indicate tight bandage.
E Elevation Raise the injury site to reduce circulation to the
damaged area.
D Diagnosis Medical personnel should see a victim to give
a final diagnosis of the injury.
65
Chest Injuries
Chest injuries can include injuries to the ribs, back of the
spine, the breastbone (sternum) and the internal organs such
as the heart, lungs and major blood vessels.
Any disruption to the integrity of the chest is a serious
condition and requires immediate medical assistance.
Signs and Symptoms

Bleeding from a wound or bruising.
Deformity.
Head Injuries Failure of one or both sides of the chest to move normally.
66 Signs and Symptoms Increased heart rate.
Altered level of consciousness. Pain at injury site or when breathing.
Wounds, fractures and bleeding to the face, head and neck. Breathing difficulty.
Discharge from the ears and/or nose. Victim coughs up blood.
Vomiting and nausea. Sucking or open wound at injury site.
Blurred vision. Treatment

Seizures. Seek immediate medical assistance.
Drowsiness or disorientation. If there is an impaled object, leave it in place and stabilise
Slurred speech. it as well as possible.

If there is no impaled object and the wound is sucking,
Management and Treatment
stop air entering the wound by covering it with a sterile,
airtight dressing and seal on three sides, leaving one side
Secure ABCs.
to act as a valve to release air in the chest cavity.
Stabilise the cervical spine in the neutral position.
Place the victim in a semi-sitting position, slightly towards
Control bleeding.
injury side or where he or she is comfortable.
DO NOT block discharge from the ears or nose. Blockage
If the victim is unconscious, place him or her in the
will increase pressure on the patient’s brain.
recovery position with the injured side down.
If the patient’s airway becomes blocked place victim
Place the arm on the injured side in a broad arm sling to
into the recovery position, injury side down, but attempt
help support the injured area. Avoid strapping the chest
to wake him or her every five minutes to check level of
tightly.
responsiveness.
Monitor ABCs and watch for signs of shock. Treat as
If unconscious commence CPR.
necessary.
First Aid
Spinal Injuries 67
Serious injuries to the spine are usually caused by heavy

falls onto the feet or head, and can result in paralysis and,
sometimes, death. It must be acknowledged that in the surf
environment even if a spinal injury is suspected, the airway
must always take priority.
Signs and Symptoms
Pain in the injured area of the spine.
Weakness or loss of feeling in any part of the body.
Headache.
Dizziness.
Abnormal blood pressure.
Other head injuries such as bruising or abrasions to the
head and neck.
Priorities in managing someone who has suffered a spinal
injury remain the same as all emergency care situations, seek
immediate medical assistance.
Safety. 68
Airway.
Breathing.
Circulation.
Then treat and manage the spinal injury.
Log Roll
The log roll is a manoeuvre best performed by a trained team
of four rescuers, rolling the patient from a supine position
onto their side, and then flat again, so as to examine the
back and/or to place or remove a spine board.
A minimum of at least two people are needed to log roll an
injured person in an emergency:
One to stabilise the neck and head, and one to stabilise the
lower spine and pelvis. Additional rescuers can help stabilise
the legs and torso.
Lifeguards should remember that airway integrity has a
higher priority than suspected spinal injuries.
Remove any solid material with your gloved finger. Eye Injuries
Place your hand closest to the patient’s head under the Dirt, sand or other foreign objects in the eye not only
head and neck. cause discomfort, but may scratch the cornea and cause
Grasp the patient’s far arm near the elbow and pull it in to inflammation and infection. It is safer for a Surf Lifeguard to
brace the patient’s side. 67 arrange transportation to a doctor or a hospital (unless the
Roll the patient, keeping the head and neck in line with object proves very easy to remove).
the rest of the body without twisting. 68 Treatment
Roll the patient far enough to allow fluids to drain from the Prevent victim from rubbing the affected eye.
mouth and remove any material that remains. If object is on the white of the eye or on the eyelid, flush
the eye with clean cold water. With the victim positioned
on his or her back and the head titled to one side, hold
the eyelids open and pour clean, cold water over the eye.
The victim may be able to move the object to the corner
69
of the eye by blinking rapidly.
Stroke
If the object has moved to the corner of the eye, remove A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked
it by gently wiping it with the corner of a clean cloth
or ruptures, resulting in damage to the brain tissue.
moistened with cold water.
F Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face
DO NOT attempt to remove an object stuck to part of
drop?
the eye.
A Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm
If difficulty is experienced removing the foreign object,
lmove downward?
place a bandage over both eyes and seek immediate
S Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is
medical assistance
their speech slurred or strange?
T Time: If you observe any of these signs, call for medical
Heart Attack
assistance immediately.
Heart attacks typically occur when one of the arteries
supplying blood to the heart becomes blocked. This can be Treatment
very painful and distressing for the victim, can lead to cardiac Seek immediate medical assistance. Do not wait to see if
arrest (when the heart stops functioning properly), and can the pain or symptoms gets worse.
be fatal. Place the person in a comfortable semi-sitting position.
Encourage the person to rest and reassure him or her.
Signs and Symptoms
Remember to speak slowly and clearly as he or she may
Persistent central chest pain, tightening or discomfort.
have difficulty understanding you.
Radiating pain - may be felt in the jaw, neck or arms.
If the person becomes unconscious, put him or her into
Cool, moist and pale skin.
the recovery position.
Nausea.
Administer oxygen if patient is showing signs of shock or
Shortness of breath.
respiratory distress.
Dizziness.
DO NOT give any fluids or food.
Profuse sweating.
Monitor ABCs and watch for signs of shock. Be prepared
Extreme anciousness.
to begin CPR if the person stops breathing
Treatment
Encourage the victim to stop what they are doing and
to rest in a comfortable position.
If the victim has been prescribed medication such as
a tablet or oral spray to treat episodes of chest pain or
discomfort associated with angina, assist them to take
this as they have been directed.
Call an ambulance if symptoms are severe, get worse
quickly or last longer than 10 minutes.
Stay with the victim until the ambulance or on-site
resuscitation team arrives.
Give aspirin (300 mg) (CoSTR 2015: strong
recommendation/high quality evidence)4. Dissolvable
aspirin is preferred. Only withhold if the victim is known
to be anaphylactic to aspirin.
Administer oxygen if there are obvious signs of
shortness of breath.
If practical and resources allow, locate the closest AED
and bring it to the victim.
If the victim becomes unresponsive and is not breathing

normally, begin CPR.
Hyperthermia (hot) Hypothermia (cold)
Hypothermia is when the body core becomes cold due to an
Heat-related injuries dealt with by Surf Lifeguards fall into two
increase in heat loss, a decrease in heat production, or both.
main categories: Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke.
Body temperature drops 20 to 30 times faster in water than
Heat Exhaustion
in air of the same temperature.
Heat Exhaustion is generally caused by physical activities in a
hot, humid environment. Signs
Feeling cold and shivering.
Signs
Uncontrollable shivering. At a certain degree the shivering
Headache, giddiness and weakness.
will stop.
Profuse sweating.
Skin that is cold to touch.
Thirst and loss of appetite.
Blue/Grey skin colour.
Pale, cool, sweaty skin.
Slow slurred speech.
Weak, rapid pulse.
Denial of problem.
Treatment
Move the victim to a cool place. Lie him or her down. Patient may appear clumsy, confused, drunk and/or
disorientated, drowsy, exhausted.
Remove excess clothing.
Sponge with tepid water and fan the victim lightly. Unconsciousness.
If the victim is fully conscious, give cold water to sip. Weak, slow pulse.
Monitor Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Treatment

Watch for signs of shock and treat as necessary. Always remove victim from cold environment.
Keep victim horizontal, try to aviod any rough handling.
Heat Stroke
Remove all wet clothing.
If untreated, Heat Exhaustion can quickly develop into Heat
Stroke, which will cause death if untreated. Some individuals Insulate victim from the cold, however possible. Use
such as the young, elderly, or those with illnesses can be survival blankets, dry clothes, warm hats and/or blankets.
more susceptible to heat stroke. Put something between the victim and the ground such
The change to Heat Stroke is the point at which the victim as a blanket, sleeping bag, or even newspaper.
ceases sweating and his or her temperature begins to climb. Monitor Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
Signs Watch for signs of shock and treat as necessary.

Mental confusion, anxiety, aggression and agitation. Seek immediate medical assistance.
Hot, reddish, dry skin.
Pupils, initially constricted, becoming dilated. Asthma Attack
Strong, but slow pulse Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the small airways
Treatment in the lungs. The airway narrowing can be caused by
Move the victim to a cool place. Lie them down. triggers such as pollen, dust, animal hair, change in air
Remove clothing, wrap the victim in wet sheets and fan temperature, distress or anxiety, and exercise. When a
the him or her. If victim starts to shiver, slow cooling. person suffers from an asthma attack, the airways constrict
Cooling the patient quickly can also be achieved by and it becomes very difficult to breathe. This can be
applying bags of ice on the neck, armpits, and groin. very distressing to the person, and untreated can be life
Monitor Airway, Breathing, Circulation. threatening.
Watch for signs of shock and treat as necessary. Signs and Symptoms
Seek immediate medical assistance. Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
Wheezing and coughing.
Could have difficulty speaking.
Rapid pulse.
Pale, sweaty skin which may become blue around the lips.
Distress or anxiety.
Feeling tired or exhausted.
71
Altered level of consciousness. Patient History
69 Treatment
Whenever there are illnesses or serious injuries present
If a victim has any signs of a severe asthma attack, call an in a patient, a patient history must be completed. Where
ambulance straight away and: possible, question the patient. If this cannot be done, ask a
Sit the person comfortably upright. Be calm and family member or friend. Using the acronym SAMPLE can
reassuring. Do not leave the person alone. assist you to remember the relevant questions to ask.
Without delay give six separate puffs of a “reliever” inhaler.
S Signs and symptoms: What are you feeling?
The medication is best given one puff at a time via a
A Allergies: Are you allergic to anything?
spacer device. Ask the person to take six breaths from
M Medication: Are you taking any medication? If so, what is
the spacer after each puff of medication.
it for?
If a spacer is not available, simply use the inhaler. Use the
P Past medical history: Have you ever felt like this before?
victim’s own inhaler if possible. If not, use the first aid kit
If so, when?
inhaler if available or borrow one from someone else.
L Last oral intake: When was the last time you had
If there is no or little improvement, keep giving six puffs
anything to eat or drink? What was it?
every six minutes until the ambulance arrives.
E Events leading to the problem: What were you doing
No harm is likely to result from giving a “reliever” inhaler to
when this happened?
someone without asthma.
If there is severe shortness of breath, give oxygen. Ensure
it does not delay or impede the use of the asthma inhaler. Seek Immediate Medical
If a severe allergic reaction is suspected, follow the Assistance
anaphylaxis treatment guidelines.
In this section, seeking immediate medical assistance is
If victim is unresponsive and not breathing normally,
advised several times. If a doctor or other qualified medical
commence CPR. practitioner is readily available, consider seeking their
assistance. Otherwise, contact the Ambulance Service for
69 assistance, and transport to a medical facility.
Except for obviously minor conditions, do not provide
transport in a private vehicle.
As a Surf Lifeguard, you are expected to be familiar with
the emergency services in your area. In New Zealand the
Ambulance Service is accessed by dialling 111 and asking
the operator for the Ambulance Service.
In most regions, rescue helicopter services are accessed
through the same Ambulance Control Room and calls should
be directed to the Ambulance Service.
If there is any doubt about the victim’s medical condition,
help should be requested immediately.
Some medical conditions can cause the victim to deteriorate
rapidly. It is better to be cautious and seek expert help than
to disregard signs and symptoms that may develop into
life-threatening problems.
Remember: Do not undertake the role and responsibilities of a
Health Professional.
72
Assessment
The Exam
The Surf Lifegaurd Award Examination.
Exam
73
Once you have completed the questions and tasks contained in this workbook
you will need to attend a Surf Lifeguard Award examination. Below are details
regarding each of the four components that make up the examination.
Exam Components
Candidate Workbook Check
The candidate workbook checked MUST be completed satisfactorily, if not, the candidate must
not complete the exam and all other candidate workbooks from the club must also be checked
1 Candidate Workbook One randomly picked candidate workbook must be checked
from each attending club
Pool Test
Candidates must complete this section before they progress to the beach component.
2 400 Metre Swim Pre requisite for ‘Perform a tube rescue’ unit (TSLB01)
Releases and Tows Perform releases and tows in an aquatic environment (TSLB03)
Tube Rescue (Pool) Pre requisite for ‘Perform a tube rescue’ unit (TSBL01)
Theory Test
3 Theory Paper
Practical Test
4 Radio Communicate using a two-way radio (CG03)
Signals Demonstrate signals used by Surf Life Saving members for
communication (CG01)
Resuscitation Provide resuscitation (EMCG01)
First Aid Provide first aid (EMCG02)
Manage first aid in emergency situations (EMCG03)
Run-Swim-Run Pre requisite for the tube rescue unit (TSLB01)
Tube Rescue Perform a tube rescue (TSLB01)
Notes
Notes
75
Surf Life Saving New Zealand
PO Box 39129
Wellington Mail Centre
www.surflifesaving.org.nz
[email protected]

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Surf Lifeguard

The SLA is made up of 13 Units

public access &

swimming & patrols & lifesaving

© Surf Life Saving

Health and Safety 01

Use broad spectrum sunscreens with a sun protection Dehydration

Alcohol recognised health care provider immediately following the

hours after the last drink.

Personal Risk and Self Preservation

03 Lifting and Carrying

Member Protection by the Organisation

Lifesaving Member Protection

As a volunteer, this means you must:

Wellbeing and colleagues.

Post Critical Incident Management

Initial Operational Support:

Psychological first aid/defusing:

Are warning signs of traumatic stress present?

Does/did the incident involve any of the following:

Are there any continuing psychological issues with

NO: YES: Referral.

Roles and Responsibilities

The standard content is as follows:

Patrol Operations & Geography.

of Patrolling Abuse of rescue equipment should be avoided at all times,

Incident Management Patrol Captain’s Report Form

Patrol & Team Details Type of Service (Tick one box)

by your instructor. Club / service

Water-based incidents Date of patrol

When dealing with rescues in the water, it is essential to

Patrol finish time Wave height

before you enter the water.

Patrol Members (contact)

Start Finish Hours Head counts On beach In water Total

A number of land-based incidents may occur at the beach,

particularly medical emergencies. Surf Lifeguards are trained in 6

first aid knowledge and experience should be alerted and used

in these situations, where possible. 14

Cliff incidents and falls 17

Police and ambulance should be contacted immediately.

The police employ a designated cliff rescue unit trained Resources

Number of patrolled areas Number of people assisted to safety

Zealand database, where important statistical information Club

Incident date / / Tasking officer #

can be found and reviewed. Incident location

GPS or grid ref

Tasking finish time

Incident start time Incident Analysis

Incident finish time Probability of reoccurrence

Number of patients involved

Accident investigated Yes No

SLSNZ workplace incident Yes No Action required Yes No

Patrol team name

EAP required Yes No

and update their patrol methods, if necessary. EAP actioned Yes No

SLSNZ are able to make decisions, based on evidence

Patient assist Address

support organisations, sponsorship and the public.