Patrol Guide

PATROL GUIDE

JUNIOR WATER COVER PATROLS

2 separate JWC Patrol Teams will be rostered on Junior Training days, patrolling once a fortnight.

JWCs patrol from 1:15-4pm, and while patrol uniforms can be worn, patrol caps must NOT be worn. Orange Caps & Vests will be provided at sign on.

The aim of JWC is to provide water safety to our Juniors, and JWC members MUST be prepared to be in the water for the duration of Junior Training. It is suggested that wetsuits be worn on inclement days.

REGULAR PATROLS

Regular Patrols run from 12:30pm to 5pm and must include at least 4 proficient Bronze Medallion holders.

There are 8 Regular Patrol Groups, with each patrol rostered on a rotational basis across the season.

Patrol Captains can use their discretion to schedule a Standby Patrol from 5-6pm. A minimum of 2 proficient Bronze Medallion holders is required to carry out these patrols.

A minimum Standby Patrol status is expected to be manned during the Summer months, ie December, January and February until 6pm, in line with our current patrol agreement.

Depending on weather conditions, the Patrol Captain may use his or her discretion, and sign on with the Surf Rescue Radio Room as a “Standby Patrol“. A minimum of 2 proficient Bronze Medallion holders are required for these patrols and the rest of the patrol members can be deployed in or around the club rooms.

ON PATROL

Patrolling members are expected to arrive and be signed on for patrol no later than 12:30pm, to assist with the setting up patrol equipment. Equipment must be in place and the patrol signed on with Surf Command by 1:00pm. All patrol members are expected to assist with the pack up at the conclusion of patrols.

PATROL SETUP

Each patrol is responsible for ensuring a safe swimming area is setup and designated by 2 Patrol Flags. Additional equipment as set down in our Patrol Agreement, must also be setup, including patrol shelter, IRB, 2 rescue boards, 2 rescue tubes, first aid kit, stretcher and oxygen kit. The first aid area in the bottom of the tower should also be made ready in the event of a first aid emergency.

SIGN ON

Each patrol member is required to sign on in the Patrol Log Book and the patrol will be required to sign on with Surf Command.

Surf Command should also be advised as soon as the IRB is made operational.

The IRB and Radio logs should also be completed before the end of each patrol, and beach statistics recorded at the start, middle and end of patrols .

Please note that the patrol Captain and/or Vice Captain are the only persons who should write in the patrol logs, other than patrolling members recording their signatures.

UNIFORM

Whilst on Regular Patrol, every patrolling member is required to wear

•  SLSC Patrol Cap
•  DHL sponsored shirt and shorts
•  Club issued, black or red bathers
•  Broad brimmed hat or peaked cap

The patrol cap must be worn at all times during patrol.

In inclement weather, patrolling members are permitted to wear black tracksuit pants. A number of broad brimmed hats are available for loan from the tower.

For those rostered on Saturday patrols, you may be required to assist with Junior Water Cover. It is suggested a wetsuit be worn, given members may need to spend long periods in the water.

The Patrol Uniform will only be worn when performing official SLSA activity.

For example, if you go shopping or to the Club after patrol, you are required to change from your patrol attire.

ADDITIONAL PATROLS

In addition to the minimum patrol requirements set down in our contract with SLSSA, several additional patrols may also be scheduled. These include carnival water cover (which may include carnivals hosted by other clubs), club and community based activities, such as long swims. Any hours performed will be reported to SLSSA and accrued to the member’s record.

VOLUNTARY PATROLS

Members may sign onto patrols in a voluntary capacity, subject to the approval of the Patrol Captain on the day. A maximum of 20 bronze holders per patrol applies, however this does not include Outpost Patrols, Junior Water Cover and Carnivals. Any hours performed will be reported to SLSSA and accrued to the member’s record.

WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE MY ROSTERED PATROL?

If you are rostered on patrol, you are expected to attend UNLESS you arrange for a substitute to patrol in your place. There is a function in the Members Portal that has the ability to request and accept patrol substitutions.

It is your responsibility to find a replacement patrol member if you cannot attend.

Contact phone numbers and an email distribution list will be made available to all patrolling members, to make the job of finding a sub a little easier.

It is important that we maintain the skills on each patrol. This means that you should ideally swap with someone with similar skills. Ie IRB Driver with another IRB Driver; ARTC holder with another ARTC holder.

The Patrol Captain will sign the substitute patrol member on as your designated “substitute”. It’s an unwritten law that if someone subs for you, you in turn sub for your sub. Failure to turn up for a rostered patrol, will result in you being placed in “default”.

Patrolling members are expected to be on time and remain for the duration of their rostered patrol. If you know you cannot commence a patrol on time or if you need to leave early, you are advised to arrange for a substitute for the entire patrol to avoid default hours and leaving your patrol short.

Default Hours will be applied as set down in the club’s constitution:

•  failure to attend – two (2) penalty patrols
•  late attendance – one (1) penalty patrol
•  failure to complete any penalty patrol – suspension

Penalty patrols must be performed by the member to whom they are given. Penalty patrols shall be completed within two (2) months of being imposed.

PATROL INSPECTIONS

SLSSA will schedule 3 patrol inspections for each Club at some stage during the season. These can occur at any time, with a score awarded for each.
The points earned throughout the season will then decide the SA Patrol Efficiency Award. SLSSA will make contact with the Patrol Captain on arrival and then ensure that

•  all members are appropriately attired in full uniform
•  all members are correctly signed on for patrol
•  the patrol equipment as stipulated in the patrol contract is correctly setup and operational

The inspection will require the patrolling members to perform a series of scenarios to test their skills, written and oral tests, and can cover any area of patrols, such as rescues, resuscitation or signals.

Be prepared and read your manuals prior to patrol.

PATROL HOUR QUALIFICATION

For members to compete at State Titles, a minimum of 16 patrol hours is required to have been performed from January to December in the previous calendar year.

The number of hours for returning members or those receiving Bronze or SRC awards during the season will differ on a pro rata basis.

For queries or further information regarding patrols, please contact our Vice Captain – Patrol Admin