Silver Medallion Patrol Captain Courses

The Patrol Captain course is a vital opportunity for members to develop leadership abilities and ensure the safety of our community.

The Silver Medallion Patrol Captain Course is a two-day course that aims to equip members with the skills and knowledge required to confidently manage a beach and run patrols as a Surf Life Saving Patrol Captain, especially under different and challenging situations.

“It plays a crucial role in standardising the emergency response by local patrols, ensuring that our procedures are consistent and effective across the State. I strongly encourage all eligible members to consider enrolling in future sessions” says Sean Faulkner, SLSSA Lifesaving & Emergency Operations Manager.

The Silver Medallion Patrol Captain courses are scenario based to provide the best learning opportunities and experience. Stephanie Horne, a Patrol Captain at South Port SLSC, participated in the course last year and greatly benefited from the learnings, successfully applying the knowledge to her patrols in season 2023/24.

“I liked how we had scenarios where there were multiple rescues and first aid cases. I also learned how to manage my team and resources effectively, so that the beach was still able to remain as safe as possible. After the training, I had the confidence to put the things I had learned into practice. This included briefings and post-incident debriefings, to ensure that as a patrol, we were better placed for next time something happened and as a result, other patrol members seemed to be more engaged and understood what they needed to do,” she said.

In light of the upcoming 2024/25 season, this is a great opportunity for SLSSA and clubs to support the development of volunteers to ensure they are equipped with the skills, understanding and abilities to support South Australian beachgoers.

COURSE DETAILS

• Learning Outcomes

  By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  • Know the role and responsibilities of a patrol captain including lead patrol set up and pack down, and managing the beach

  • Apply leadership techniques to manage multiple incidents as a patrol captain

  • Apply the principles of effective leadership to motivate and engage team members

  • Coordinate the response to minor and major incidents including working with multi-agencies

  • Effectively communicate in difficult situations, including managing inappropriate public behaviour

  • Action operational risk and hazard management

  • Effectively manage a patrol team including the delegation of operational tasks

  • Conduct effective briefing and de-briefing, including follow-up.

• Target Group

  The Patrol Captain course is aimed at those who are current Patrol Captains, Vice Patrol Captains or those who are looking to step into these roles in the near future.

• Requirements & Pre-requisites

  Requirements

  • Minimum 18 years old

  • Hold a SLSA Bronze Medallion or have held a SLSA Bronze Medallion and currently hold a patrolling award

  • Have 2 years patrolling experience

  Pre-Requisites

  • Completed the eLearning, including online assessments

  • Completed and saved the leadership workbook found within eLearning

  • Downloaded the SLSSA Operations app and have access to the Surf Risk Rating

• Course Delivery & Assessment

  • Face to face training completed over 2 full days.

  • Day one is theory based and day two is practical scenarios

  • eLearning component (6-8 hours) including online assessments

  • Completed the On-the Job Third Party Report.

    This may be signed off by an active Patrol Captain, Patrol Vice Captain, Club Captain or Chief Instructor

  Assessment Requirements

  • Online eLearning Assessment

  • Practical Assessment

• Cost

  Course is free for all members

COURSE DATES & LOCATIONS

 APPLICATION PROCESS

• Each course is limited to 12 candidates and therefore a selection process is in place.

• Successful applications will be based on the quality of the application and support from your Club Chief Instructor or Club Captain.  

• If interested, please submit an application via the link below:

Key Dates

• Applications close: 19th August

• Club Approvals close: 21st August

• Notification of Selection: By 23rd August  

• eLearning due: One week prior to the start of your course

Pathway Opportunities

Gaining this award is recommended for those considering senior lifesaving opportunities such as:

• Patrol Captain or Club Captain at your club

• Duty Officer within the SLSSA Emergency Operations Group (EOG)
  

More Information

Any questions, please contact the Member Education Team via:

E: member.ed@surflifesavingsa.com.au | P: 08 8354 6900.

Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue Opportunities

This April, SLSSA will deliver two Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue award courses, otherwise know as SMAR. The courses will be open to those members who wish to obtain the SMAR award, the members of the Emergency Operations Group (EOG), and members working towards the PUA30322 Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search & Rescue).

SMAR is an award that provides participants with the skills and knowledge to participate in search and rescue operations. Once completed members will gain skills and knowledge enabling them to:

• Contribute to preparation activities for search and rescue operations

• Perform search and rescue of a missing person

• Demonstrate recovery and stand down procedures

The course is very practical-based award and takes place in a few different locations including South Australia Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Surf Central (the home of SLSSA), and Port Noarlunga SLSC.

Josh Warne, Glenelg member and one of the state’s SMAR trainers, said “The SMAR award takes you beyond your normal beach training, where you develop new skills on working safely around rocks and jetties. Members also gain a greater understanding on working with Jet Boats, Jet Skis and other emergency services. It’s an award I enjoyed completing, and now training others in. It has also provided me with lots of opportunities and experiences”.

Besides being a valuable assist at your club, gaining this award also opens the door for other SLSSA opportunities. It is a core award to hold if you are looking to become a member of the Emergency Operations Group (EOG) who manage and fulfil Jet boats, Jet Skis, Helicopter and Duty Officer roles.

“The EOG are a key incident response group who are called by club patrols and other emergency services when an incident at one of our beaches goes beyond the scope of the club patrol,” Cameron Smith, SLSSA Lifesaving and Emergency Operations Coordinator, explained.

“The training members undertake in SMAR is great knowledge to have a club level, but it essential for those who respond at a time of crises.

“It is also a highly valued award for those who are considering becoming an SLSSA Lifeguard (Beach).”

If you are interested in obtaining this award, please read the information below, speak to your Club Chief Instructor and complete the EOI before the closing date of 9am, Monday 13th March.

• AWARD DETAILS

  Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue Award

  • PUAWHS002 – Maintain Safety at an Incident Scene

  • PUASAR011 – Search as a member of an aquatic search team

  Learning Outcomes

  Contribute to preparation activities for search and rescue operations

  • Interpret task information

  • Use basic navigational techniques

  • Select appropriate search and rescue equipment

  Perform search and rescue of a missing person

  • Identify hazards to self, bystanders, and patient at an incident scene

  • Minimise risks

  • Select appropriate personal protective equipment

  • Communicate incident details to relevant personnel at appropriate stages

  • Demonstrate an advanced water entry technique

  • Describe search patterns

  • Operate as a member of a search team

  • Perform retrieval of a submerged object at a depth of 3-5 meters below the surface

  • Participate in a night search operation

  Demonstrate recovery and stand down procedures

  • Complete operational documentation

  • Perform equipment recovery, cleaning, and maintenance in line with organisational procedures

  • Describe symptoms of operational stress and sources of support

  Pre-Requisites

  Candidates must meet ALL the following conditions:

  • Be at least 16 years of age on the date of final assessment

  • Complete a 400-metre swim in 8 minutes or less in a swimming pool of no less than 25m length (completed at the Pool Session)

  • Hold and be proficient in the SLSA Bronze Medallion

  • Attend all the training detailed in the timeline

  • Have access to all personal equipment detailed in the resources.

  Assessment Requirements

  Assessment is through demonstration, presentation, and application of all elements of competency in the workplace. Students will be required to complete activities that may include role-plays, oral and written questioning, practical demonstrations and performing scenarios. Assessment also includes:

  • Online learning

  • Written questions

  • Verbal questions

  • Practical scenarios

  Session Delivery

  The SMAR course involves three sessions, consisting of:

  Session Details

  Pool session: Includes completion of the pre-requisite swim as well as assessment of submerged object retrieval.

  • The Pre-requisite swim requires completing a 400-metre swim in 8 minutes or less in a swimming pool of no less than 25m length.

  • Successfully completion of the pre-requisite swim is required to continue with the rest of the SMAR

  The pool session is a mandatory component to the course.

  Theory & night search:

  • Identify the basic procedures of search and rescue operations.

  • Practical night search

  Practical & assessments:

  • Water activities

  • Assessment

  Learning Resources

  All resources are accessible from the members eLearning area:

  • Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue members eLearning course

  • Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue Learner Guide

  • 35th Edition Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue Training Manual

  Costs

  $49.00 for Club members.

  • The course will be held over the equivalent of two and a half days, and the cost covers materials, all food, snacks, water, and all other resources.

  • Members that are completing SMAR as part of their cert III VETiS program will be invoiced separately (unless prior arrangements made directly with members school). VETiS enrolments should refer to the VETiS Course Fee document for more information.

  • Payment will be required at the time of registration.

• SMAR COURSE DATES

  SMAR COURSE 1

  SMAR Pool Session:

  • Wednesday 27th March, 7pm - 9pm

  • Marion SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre 443 Morphett Road, Oaklands Park

  SMAR Theory, Night Search

  • Saturday 6th April, 2pm - 10pm • SLSSA , 2 Barcoo Road, West Beach

  SMAR Practical

  • Sunday 7th April, 8:30am – 4pm

  • Port Noarlunga SLSC , Saltfleet St & Esplanade, Port Noarlunga

  SMAR COURSE 2

  SMAR Pool Session:

  • Thursday 28th March, 7pm - 9pm

  • Marion SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre 443 Morphett Road, Oaklands Park

  SMAR Theory, Night Search

  • Saturday 13th April, 2pm - 10pm

  • SLSSA , 2 Barcoo Road, West Beach

  SMAR Practical

  • Sunday 14th April, 8:30am – 4pm

  • Port Noarlunga SLSC , Saltfleet St & Esplanade, Port Noarlunga

• APPLICATION PROCESS

  SLSSA recognise this is a highly desirable course and with the limited number of places available, there is no guarantee that all members who apply will be able to participate.

  • Those interested MUST submit an Expression of Interest form by the closing date.

  • Successful applications will be based on their applications and SLSSA receiving payment as soon as possible (if applicable).

  o If enrolment and payment are not completed by the due date, your position maybe withdrawn and the opportunity given to someone on the waitlist

  • Those who are not successful will be added to the waitlist for future courses.

  KEY DATES

  Applications close: 12noon, Wednesday, 13th March

  Notification of selection: Friday, 15th March

  Online enrolment due: Wednesday 20th March