8.2 Opening of Patrol (Start of Patrol)

Purpose

To outline the key required actions when opening a patrolled area.

Overview

Opening a patrol requires SLS personnel to assess prevailing conditions, establish a safe patrol area, confirm operational readiness, and ensure appropriate deployment of personnel and equipment.

Procedure

Establishing a Flagged Area

The flagged patrol area should be established in the safest practical area for swimming and sized appropriately based on conditions, hazards, personnel, and operational requirements.

Patrol flags and rescue equipment should be positioned as close to the water’s edge as practical and adjusted throughout patrol operations as conditions and tide levels change.

The decision not to establish a flagged patrol area does not constitute a beach closure. Any SLS activities conducted without a flagged patrol area must be supported by an appropriate risk assessment where required.

Patrol Area Considerations

When establishing a patrol area, consideration should be given to:

• Prevailing weather, surf, tide, and beach conditions,
• Identified hazards including rips, currents, rocks, sudden drop-offs, debris, or marine hazards,
• Anticipated patronage, beach usage, and public activity types,
• The swimming ability and experience level of beach users where identifiable,
• Recreational equipment or craft operating in or near the patrol area,
• The size, geography, and accessibility of the patrol area,
• Available personnel, rescue equipment, and support resources,
• Communications capability and emergency response access,
• Adjacent beach users and competing activities, including surf craft operations, and
• Facilities, infrastructure, and operational support available to the patrol.

Equipment

Patrol equipment and emergency response equipment must be checked prior to patrol commencement.

Any damaged or missing equipment must be reported in the log, tagged and reported and escalated as soon as reasonably practicable to the Club Captain or Lifeguard Coordinator.

All patrolling equipment must be checked on each deployment, with specific attention to the condition and operability of power craft, rescue equipment, first aid and resuscitation equipment.

Powercraft

• Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) checks
• Side-by-Side Vehicle (SSV) checks
• 4WD Vehicle checks

Rescue Equipment

• Rescue board checks
• Rescue tube and fins checks

Oxygen Resuscitation Kits

• System test and miscellaneous equipment check.
• Check oxygen cylinder is over 1⁄2 full.
• At least one spare oxygen cylinder should be available where practicable.

Defibrillators

• System test and miscellaneous equipment check.

First Aid Kits

• Condition and contents check

Radios

• Fully charged and operational and set to the correct channel(s) as per SOP 7.5 - Zones and Channels.

Patrol Sign On Procedure

Patrols must complete a radio communications check with the State Operations Centre (SOC) following patrol commencement.

The Operations App is the primary method for patrol sign on and sign off, with radio communications used as a backup where required.

Reference

• Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue training manual, 35th Edition, Module 10 – Patrol Operations