EDUCATION

Port Kembla Surf Club takes pride in its commitment to excellence in education, training, assessment, and proficiencies. Our primary goal is to support our members in advancing their skills while delivering top-notch educational programs. Successful lifesaving relies on volunteers having specific, relevant, and up-to-date training.

Our lifesavers use their expertise to provide essential services of prevention, promotion, and protection to the beach-going public. We offer a comprehensive training and education program, which includes introductory, standard, and advanced courses in lifesaving techniques, equipment usage, and emergency care. This training not only enhances lifesavers' ability to support the community but also helps them maintain and develop their skills.

Many of our courses are nationally accredited, offering valuable credentials that can be used to gain or retain employment outside of the lifesaving movement. Each year, our highly qualified volunteer trainers equip community members like you with crucial life-saving skills. Starting with qualifications such as the Bronze Medallion or Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC), you can begin participating in beach patrols or assisting with water safety at our Sunday Nipper program. Your journey doesn’t end there—numerous educational pathways are available to further enhance your qualifications, including advanced resuscitation, first aid, and training to operate the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB).

SURF RESCUE CERTIFICATE

GENERAL COURSE INFORMATION

This course is designed to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge in basic patrolling and surf awareness, enabling them to effectively engage in lifesaving operations.

The SRC is recommended for Surf Life Saving (SLS) members who aim to serve as water safety personnel (it is the minimum qualification for supervising junior activities) or join a lifesaving patrol.

As a volunteer-run member club, we provide crucial lifesaving services to the community. Our trainers and assessors donate their time to conduct these courses. Upon completing your training, you will become a valued member of the Port Kembla community, with responsibilities including regular rostered patrols from September to May and/or serving as water safety.

SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must meet the following criteria:

Be a financial member of an SLS club
Be at least 13 years old on the date of final assessment.

LEARNING APPROACH

The Surf Rescue Certificate is delivered through a blended learning approach, incorporating both face-to-face instruction (classroom, beach, and water activities) and self-paced learning (online or paper-based, completed independently).
Before starting the course, demonstrate the ability to swim 200 meters in five minutes or less, unaided (goggles/mask permitted), pool of not less than 25 m. This swimming ability will be assessed before engaging in any water training or evaluation activities.
Candidates unsure of their swimming capability should ensure they meet the required time before the course begins. Failure to meet this requirement on the first day will result in removal from the course and exclusion from further water activities.
Full attendance at all sessions is mandatory to complete the course.

COURSE OVERVIEW

COURSE TOPICS
The SLSA Surf Rescue Certificate covers skills and knowledge in:
1. SLS as a Workplace
2. Mental Health Awareness
3. Radio Communications
4. Radio Protocols
5. Water Safety Signals
6. Rip Currents
7. Surf Awareness
8. Identifying Victims
9. Primary Assessment
10. CPR
11. Deciding to Rescue
12. Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Awareness

Certification
Upon successful completion, you will receive the SLSA Surf Rescue Certificate, as well as the following nationally recognized qualifications and units of competency issued by Surf Life Saving New South Wales (PUA20119):

1. PUAOPE013 Operate communications systems and equipment
2. PUASAR012 Apply surf awareness and self-rescue skills
3. PUASAR013 Participate in an aquatic rescue operation
4. HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation

For further details on these qualifications, visit the Australian Government’s training.gov.au website.

Assessment
Assessment will involve demonstrating, presenting, and applying all elements of competency in practical scenarios. This includes role-plays, oral and written questioning, practical demonstrations, and performance in scenarios.

SURF RESCUE CERTIFICATE TO BRONZE MEDALLION

SURF RESCUE CERTIFICATE TO BRONZE MEDALLION COURSES

Upon successful completion of the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC), members will have covered some of the content required for the Bronze Medallion (BM). Proficient SRC holders can transition directly to the BM, receiving credit for the skills and knowledge they've already acquired.

If members choose this pathway and are eligible, they may not need to attend all BM face-to-face training sessions. Additionally, they will not be required to complete the SRC online modules or the associated assessment tasks.

This transition pathway is supported by an online module titled 'SLS – SRC – BM Transition Course,' available in the Aquatic Rescue category of the SLSA eLearning Training Library. This module includes only the online components relevant to the transition program.

Members may still attend BM face-to-face training sessions or revisit the online SRC modules if they wish to refresh their skills and knowledge. Engaging in these sessions also helps build team cohesion and strengthen relationships within their club.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

SRC holders are eligible to apply if they meet the following requirements:
Be a financial member.
Have completed at least 10 patrolling hours as a qualified SRC award holder within the past 12 months.
Are currently proficient in SRC.
Completed their SRC within the last 3 years before starting their BM.
Commence and complete their BM within the same season.
Are at least 15 years old on the date of their BM final assessment.
Are confident in their abilities as an active member of a lifesaving patrol.
Understand and are willing to participate in all scenarios to ensure the effectiveness of activities for other participants and to demonstrate their new skills.
Complete an unaided swim of 400 meters in 9 minutes or less (goggles and masks permitted) in a swimming pool of at least 25 meters, or over a measured open water course. This swim must be observed before participating in any aquatic training.

Bronze Medallion

COURSE AIM

This course aims to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge in surf awareness, aquatic rescue operations, radio communications, resuscitation, emergency care, spinal management, teamwork, and Surf Life Saving (SLS) patrol operations. Building on the SLSA Surf Rescue Certificate, this award is a prerequisite for various other SLS pathway awards. It is ideal for SLS members who wish to:

Serve as a qualified lifesaver at 15 years of age or older
Compete in SLS surf sports that require proficiency in the Bronze Medallion
Advance through the SLS Aquatic Rescue or Powercraft award pathways

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To begin training for the Bronze Medallion, you must:

Be a financial member of an SLS club
Be at least 15 years old on the final assessment date
Complete an unaided swim of 400 m in 9 minutes or less (goggles and masks permitted) in a swimming pool of not less than 25 m, or over a measured open water course which will be observed prior to you undertaking any water training or assessment activities. Evidence of this must be provided to the assessor prior to commencement of the assessment for this qualification/SLSA award.

COURSE TOPICS
1. SLS as a Workplace
2. Mental Health Awareness
3. Radio Communications
4. Radio Protocols
5. Water Safety Signals
6. Rip Currents
7. Surf Awareness
8. Identifying Victims
9. Primary Assessment
10. CPR
11. Deciding to Rescue
12. On Patrol
13. Difficult Conversations
14. Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
15. Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Awareness
16. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 1 - Operating Systems and Equipment
17. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 2 - Applying Surf Awareness
18. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 3 - Participating in Aquatic Rescue
19. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 4 - Providing CPR
20. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 5a - Providing Emergency Care
21. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 5b - First Aid Response
22. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 6 - Communicating in the Workplace
24. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 7 - Working in a Team
25. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 8 - Working Effectively
26. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 9 - Following OHS
27. Bronze Medallion Assessment Part 10 - Spinal Management

CERTIFICATION: PUA20119 CERTIFICATE II IN PUBLIC SAFETY (AQUATIC RESCUE)
1. PUAOPE013 Operate communications systems and equipment
2. PUASAR012 Apply surf awareness and self-rescue skills
3. PUASAR013 Participate in an aquatic rescue operation
4. HLTAID010 Provide basic emergency life support
5. PUACOM001 Communicate in the workplace
6. PUATEA001 Work in a team
7. PUATEA004 Work effectively in a public safety organisation
8. PUAWHS001 Follow defined work health & safety policies & procedures

INFLATABLE RESCUE BOAT (IRB)

IRB CREW CERTIFICATE

COURSE AIMS
The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively crew an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) in rescue operations. To qualify as an IRB Crew member, you must be at least 15 years old and hold a Bronze Medallion. The course involves several weeks of practical training and workbook learning, totalling at least 20 hours before you can sit for the final assessment.

Training covers both theoretical and hands-on elements. As an IRB Crew member, you'll be trained in essential skills such as manoeuvring around the IRB while the driver operates, safely retrieving patients, handling challenging waves, and maintaining stability of the IRB before and after departure. Once you successfully complete your qualification, you will be able to assist with patrol duties and provide water cover during training sessions or carnivals.

COURSE TOPICS

1. Introduction to IRBs
2. Equipment & Preparing to Operate
3. Safety & Wellbeing - General
4. Safety & Wellbeing - Injury Mitigation
5. Safety & Wellbeing - Risk & Fatigue Management
6. Regulatory Requirements
7. Operations - Crew
8. Rescues - Crew
9. Emergencies and Troubleshooting
10. Search & Rescue
11. Crew Assessment

SILVER MEDALLION IRB DRIVER

COURSE AIM
The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively drive and manage an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) in rescue operations.

To become an IRB Driver, you must be at least 17 years old, hold a Bronze Medallion, have completed the IRB Crew qualification, and possess a boat driver's license from state authorities. The training takes place at Port Kembla Beach, where you'll learn to navigate challenging conditions like heavy swells, both during practical sessions and assessments.

The course includes a theoretical component on outboard motor mechanics, pontoon pressure, and equipment handling, but the majority of the training focuses on practical skills. You will learn to operate and maneuver the IRB effectively, including handling large, rough surf both with and without a crew member. Successful completion of the IRB Driver qualification allows you to drive the IRB for patrols and water cover operations.

COURSE TOPICS
1. Introduction to IRBs
2. Equipment & Preparing to Operate
3. Safety & Wellbeing - General
4. Safety & Wellbeing - Injury Mitigation
5. Safety & Wellbeing - Risk & Fatigue Management
6. Regulatory Requirements
7. Operations - Driver
8. Rescues - Driver
9. Emergencies and Troubleshooting
10. Search & Rescue
11. Driver Assessment

For enquiries please email pksceducation@gmail.com

EDUCATION

SURF RESCUE CERTIFICATE

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