SeaCliff SLSC

Become a Lifesaver

What is a Lifesaver?

At Seacliff SLSC, surf lifesavers are trained volunteers who patrol our beaches on weekends, playing a vital role in ensuring everyone’s safety. Becoming a surf lifesaver is a rewarding, enjoyable, and fulfilling experience.

As a volunteer, you’ll be responsible for a range of duties, including conducting aquatic rescues, administering first aid, and providing important surf safety information to the public. Throughout the summer, you’ll spend your weekends on patrol at the beach, staying alert to assist those in need, offering first aid when necessary, and educating beachgoers about potential hazards.

Why Join?

Surf Life Saving offers an incredible opportunity to gain valuable skills, connect with a passionate community, and experience a true sense of accomplishment. As a member, you can look forward to:

  • Having a great time

  • Getting fit and active

  • Building strong teamwork skills

  • Embracing a spirit of friendly competition

  • Creating lasting friendships

  • Contributing to a vital role in the community

  • Learning essential life-saving techniques

Our training, patrols, and competitions are not only exciting but also foster a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie. It’s a fantastic way to meet like-minded individuals and share a common passion. At Seacliff SLSC, we provide training that helps boost your fitness and develop new, life-saving skills.

How to Become a Lifesaver:

To become a surf lifesaver, the first step is to attain your Bronze Medallion (or Surf Rescue Certificate), which is the essential qualification for all lifesavers. You must be at least 15 years old to begin the Bronze Course (or 13 for SRC). The course takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks to complete, with training sessions held around 4 hours each week. During this time, you’ll gain the necessary skills to confidently swim in the surf, perform rescues using various lifesaving equipment, and administer first aid and resuscitation.

You’ll also learn essential lifesaving techniques and gain a thorough understanding of the methodology behind keeping swimmers safe. The Bronze Medallion is not just a qualification – it’s a commitment to becoming part of a community of dedicated lifesavers who play a critical role in ensuring the safety of others.

How to Register for a Course?

Course details will be updated as they become available.

If you’re keen to know more please email our Chief Instructor, Zac Cowan – instruction@seacliffslsc.com.au

Certificates & Training

The Basics

Surf Rescue Certificate

Award Overview:

This award introduces participants to fundamental surf awareness and patrolling skills, equipping them with the knowledge needed to assist in basic lifesaving patrol operations.

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 13 years old on the day of the final assessment

  • Must be able to swim 200 meters in five (5) minutes or less

Opportunities:

Upon completion, participants can take part in patrols under the supervision of experienced lifesavers. This award also serves as a pathway to further skill development, including the opportunity to obtain

Bronze
Medallion

Award Overview:

This course equips participants with essential skills and knowledge in surf awareness, aquatic rescue, radio operations, resuscitation, emergency care, spinal management, communication, teamwork, and Surf Life Saving patrol operations. Upon completion, participants will be qualified to take part in lifesaving patrol duties.

Successful participants will receive a Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue).

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 15 years old on the day of the final assessment

  • Must be able to swim 400 meters in nine (9) minutes or less

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Opportunities:

This award builds upon the SLSA Surf Rescue Certificate and serves as a prerequisite for various advanced Surf Life Saving pathway awards.

Radio Operators Certificate

Award Overview:

This course provides participants with the essential skills and knowledge needed to perform basic communication practices, with a focus on effective radio use in lifesaving operations.

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 13 years old on the day of the final assessment

Opportunities:

Upon completion, participants will be equipped with the skills to confidently and effectively use radios as a communication tool while on patrol.

Further Awards For Progression

First Aid
Certificate

Award Overview:

This course equips participants with the essential skills and knowledge to manage emergency first aid situations until professional medical assistance arrives. Successful participants will receive the following nationally recognized certifications:

  • HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

  • HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 14 years old on the day of the final assessment

  • Must be an active patrolling member or enrolled in a course to begin patrolling

Opportunities:

Participants will become specialized first aid patrolling members, playing a vital role in lifesaving operations. They can further enhance their expertise by pursuing additional emergency care qualifications.

Advance Resuscitation Techniques

Award Overview:

This course provides participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively use oxygen, airway management devices, and an automated external defibrillator (AED) during resuscitation. It also covers the administration of oxygen to conscious or unconscious breathing casualties.

Successful participants will receive the following nationally recognized certifications:

  • HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

  • HLTAID015 Provide Advanced Resuscitation and Oxygen Therapy

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 15 years old on the day of the final assessment

  • Must hold a HLTAID011 Provide First Aid certification

  • Must be an active patrolling member or enrolled in a course to begin patrolling

Opportunities:

Upon completion, participants will become specialized resuscitation patrolling members. They can further enhance their expertise by pursuing additional First Aid or emergency care qualifications.

SSV & 4WD
Award

Award Overview:

This course equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to safely and effectively operate a Side-by-Side Vehicle (SSV) and/or 4WD for lifesaving operations.

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 17 years old

  • Must hold a current driver’s license

Opportunities:

Upon completion, participants will be able to take on additional responsibilities during patrols by safely operating an SSV, tractor, and/or 4WD to support lifesaving efforts.

Primary Water Craft Awards:

IRB Crew

Award Overview:

This course equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively crew an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) during rescue operations.

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 15 years old

  • Must hold a Bronze Medallion certification

Opportunities:

Upon completion, participants will be able to assist with patrols and water safety by crewing an IRB. They can further advance their skills by obtaining an IRB Driver Certificate.

IRB Driver

Award Overview:

This course provides participants with the skills and knowledge required to safely and effectively operate an Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) during rescue operations.

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 17 years old on the day of the final assessment

  • Must hold a South Australia Marine License

  • Must hold a Bronze Medallion (BM)

  • Must hold an IRB Crew Certificate (IRBC)

Opportunities:

Upon completion, participants will be qualified to drive an IRB, enhancing their ability to assist with patrols and water safety operations.

RWC

Award Overview:

This course provides participants with the skills and knowledge required to safely and effectively operate a Rescue Water Craft (RWC), commonly known as a jetski, for lifesaving operations. It covers essential rescue techniques, patrol operations, and the maintenance and handling of RWCs in various surf conditions. Operators play a critical role in rapid response rescues and water safety support.

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club
  • Be at least 18 years or older at date of assessment
  • Bronze proficient and hold Certficate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
  • Hold valid Provide First Aid certificate
  • Hold Advance Resuscitation Techniques award
  • Must hold a South Australia Marine License
Opportunities:

Upon completion, participants will be qualified to operate an RWC as part of lifesaving patrols and emergency response operations. They can further develop their skills through advanced rescue training and specialist lifesaving awards.

Further Awards Available:

Training Officer Certificate (TOC)

Award Overview:

This course equips participants with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to effectively deliver training for lifesaving awards.

Successful participants will receive the following nationally recognized certifications:

  • TAEDEL301 – Provide Work Skill Instruction

  • BSBCMM401 – Make a Presentation

Participants who already hold these certifications or a TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment can automatically become probationary trainers.

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 17 years old on the day of the final assessment

  • Must have held the SLSA award they wish to deliver for at least 12 months and remain proficient in that award

Opportunities:

Upon completion, participants will be qualified to train other club members. They will initially undertake supervised training in a specific award and can further enhance their expertise by obtaining an Assessors Certificate or a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Assessors Certificate (ASC)

Award Overview:

Award Overview

This course provides participants with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to competently assess lifesaving awards.

Successful participants will receive the following nationally recognized certifications:

  • TAEASS401 – Plan Assessment Activities and Processes

  • TAEASS402 – Assess Competence

  • TAEASS403 – Participate in Assessment Validation

  • TAEASS502 – Design and Develop Assessment Tools

Participants who already hold these certifications or a TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment can automatically become probationary assessors.

Prerequisites:
  • Must hold an active membership with a lifesaving club

  • Must be at least 18 years old on the day of the final assessment

  • Must hold the SLSA award they wish to assess and maintain proficiency in that award

Opportunities:

Upon completion, participants will be qualified to assess club training courses. They will initially undertake supervised assessments in a specific award and can further enhance their expertise by obtaining a Training Officer Certificate or a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Skills Maintenance

More Information Coming at The Start of The Season……..

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Upcoming Courses

More Information Coming at The Start of The Season……..

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Still Got Questions?

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our amazing team today!