8.1.2 Senior Lifeguard Responsibilities

Purpose

To define the operational responsibilities and expectations of Senior Lifeguards during patrol operations.

Overview

The Senior Lifeguard is responsible for the supervision, coordination, and operational management of lifeguard services and personnel. Senior Lifeguards are expected to maintain safe and effective patrol operations, provide leadership to operational staff, support member and staff welfare, and ensure compliance with SLSSA operational procedures and workplace health and safety requirements.

Senior Lifeguards may operate independently or alongside Patrol Captains, Duty Officers, or other emergency services depending on the operational environment.

Procedure

Operational Supervision

Senior Lifeguards must:

  1. Maintain operational oversight of patrol operations and public safety activities.
  2. Ensure patrol operations are conducted in accordance with SLSSA procedures, local requirements, and operational directives.
  3. Supervise lifeguards, operational personnel, and where applicable volunteer patrol teams.
  4. Maintain awareness of environmental, operational, and public safety risks.
  5. Escalate operational concerns, hazards, staffing deficiencies, or significant incidents as required.
  6. Ensure operational resources and equipment remain available and serviceable.
  7. Promote a professional and safe operational environment.

Patrol Preparation

Prior to patrol commencement, the Senior Lifeguard must:

  1. Conduct or review a Surf Risk Rating (SRR) using the SLSA Operations App.
  2. Determine the safest practical patrol configuration and flagged patrol area location.
  3. Ensure patrol equipment, rescue assets, radios, and emergency equipment are operational.
  4. Ensure minimum staffing and operational capability requirements are met.
  5. Conduct or oversee a patrol briefing in accordance with SOP 8.3 – Patrol Briefings.
  6. Ensure operational communications systems are functional and monitored.
  7. Review operational notices, hazards, weather conditions, and relevant intelligence where available.
  8. Ensure patrol personnel understand operational expectations and emergency procedures.

Patrol Management

During patrol operations, the Senior Lifeguard must:

  1. Coordinate patrol operations and personnel activities.
  2. Ensure effective surveillance and preventative actions are maintained.
  3. Monitor personnel welfare, fatigue, hydration, and operational fitness.
  4. Allocate operational tasks, surveillance positions, and rotations appropriately.
  5. Maintain communication with the State Operations Centre (SOC) and other operational stakeholders where required.
  6. Support incident coordination and operational decision-making.
  7. Ensure operational records, logs, and reporting requirements are completed appropriately.
  8. Ensure professional standards and public conduct expectations are maintained.
  9. Liaise with local government, emergency services, contractors, event organisers, or external stakeholders where required.

Incident Management

Where an incident occurs, the Senior Lifeguard must:

  1. Coordinate the operational response until relieved or supported by additional resources.
  2. Ensure appropriate personnel, equipment, and rescue assets are deployed.
  3. Escalate incidents to the State Operations Centre (SOC) where required.
  4. Maintain situational awareness and operational control.
  5. Consider requesting additional operational resources where required.
  6. Ensure the safety and welfare of operational personnel remains a priority.

Workplace Health and Safety

Senior Lifeguards must:

  1. Promote safe systems of work during patrol operations.
  2. Identify and manage operational hazards where reasonably practicable.
  3. Ensure personnel utilise appropriate PPE and safety equipment.
  4. Report operational hazards, incidents, injuries, or near misses in accordance with SLSSA procedures.
  5. Support the physical and psychological wellbeing of operational personnel following significant incidents where required.

Conclusion of Patrol

At the conclusion of patrol operations, the Senior Lifeguard must:

  1. Conduct or oversee a patrol debrief in accordance with SOP 8.3 – Patrol Briefings.
  2. Ensure patrol equipment is checked, secured, and returned appropriately.
  3. Ensure operational issues, hazards, incidents, or equipment faults are reported and documented.
  4. Ensure patrol operations are signed off appropriately using the Operations App.
  5. Ensure relevant operational handover information is communicated where required.

References

This document must not be displayed, including in a patrol room, or reproduced in any form, without permission from the Lifesaving Department, Surf Life Saving SA.

8.1.1 Patrol Captain Responsibilities 8.1.3 Patrol Team Responsibilities