8.11 Adverse Weather and Environmental Conditions (“Inclement Weather”)

Purpose

To provide clear guidance for Surf Life Saving SA (SLSSA) patrols when responding to adverse weather or environmental hazards, including severe weather, harmful algal blooms, pollution events, or other conditions that may impact the safety of members or the public.

Definition

“Adverse weather and environmental conditions” refers to any situation where weather or environmental factors create unsafe conditions for patrol activities or public participation. This includes:

Severe weather (strong winds, heavy rain, lightning, extreme heat or cold)

Environmental hazards (algal blooms, pollution, fish kills, discoloured water, odours, or airborne contaminants)

This is colloquially known as “inclement weather”.

Overview

Patrol Captains are responsible for:

Assessing local conditions using the Surf Risk Rating (SRR) module in the Operations App, including visual cues (water discolouration, fish kills, odours) and any relevant health alerts.

Making adjustments to Patrol and Beach Status to protect members and the public.

Aligning decisions with expert guidance and health authority advice.

Escalating concerns to the State Operations Centre (SOC) for operational support and coordination. The SOC ensures consistent response across the organisation.

Procedure

1. Conduct Initial Risk Assessment
   Use the SRR in the Operations App to assess both weather and environmental risks.
   Consider in-water hazards, on-shore hazards, and airborne risks.
   Determine if patrol operations can continue safely.

2. Immediate Response
   Lower patrol flags to indicate that conditions are unsafe for public swimming.
   Erect hazard-specific signage (e.g., “Swimming Not Advised – Pollution Risk” or “Harmful Algal Bloom Warning”).
   Ensure all equipment remains accessible but protected from adverse conditions.
   Maintain minimum personnel in safe positions to provide emergency response if feasible.

3. Initial Retreat / Temporary Withdrawal
   If risks are unacceptable, cease patrolling and remove members from the beach environment, including airborne hazards.
   Relocate personnel to the SLSC or another safe shelter while maintaining surveillance where safe to do so.
   Continue monitoring conditions and record observations in the Operations App.

4. Communication & Escalation
   Notify the SOC of altered Patrol and Beach Status and any environmental hazards identified.
   Align public safety messaging with health authorities and expert guidance.
   Escalate unresolved or complex hazards for coordinated response.
   The SOC ensures consistent response and messaging across all clubs and patrols.

5. Ongoing Management
   Conduct continuous risk assessments to determine when a full patrol can safely resume.
   Update incident logs for all environmental and weather-related hazards encountered.
   Resume normal patrols only when conditions are safe and public health guidance permits.

Requests to Cease Patrolling

Requests to cease patrolling, once all options have been exhausted, must be endorsed by the rostered Duty Officer or Lifesaving Department, by contacting the State Operations Centre, before a patrol signs off.