Junior Water Safety

junior
water safety

Many activities that will be completed by children as part of Junior Activities will be conducted in the water. This page outlines the processes and procedures that have been put in place to ensure all conducted in a safe environment.

Before the commencement of any water based lifesaving training, a documented risk assessment must be carried out on the selected area. Refer to the SLSA Policy 1.01 – Water Safety for the form.

Water safety must be provided for all Junior Activities being conducted in the water. For all water safety requirements, please refer to the SLSA Policy 1.01 – Water Safety.

Additional to regular craft and personnel water safety, it is also a requirement for all competitors to wear hot pink rash vests while competing. More information regarding this can be found in the SLSQ MS13 ‐ High Visibility Clothing Policy. Please also check requirements regarding wearing high‐visibility rash vests during all open water activities with your Branch Junior Activities Chairperson.

In addition to SLSA Policy 1.01—Water Safety, it is requirement of SLSQ for all water-based Junior Activities that there is a MINIMUM of 1 water safety person to 5 participants. Branches may have additional requirements on top of this policy. Please make sure you check with your relevant branch for further details.

All participants and water safety personnel should ‘sign-on’ for their training activity with the age manager, coach, or water safety coordinator keeping a record of attendance (patrol logbooks can be used for this).

Clubs must ensure all water safety officers hold all relevant qualifications prior to taking part in water safety, and that the water safety cover matches the need.

Patrol Hour Accreditation

Active and Cadet patrolling members rostered to water safety duty may have their hours accredited if the club allows. If the club approves the water safety hours being accredited then this should be minuted at the commencement of the season and the hours performed appropriately logged.
Other water safety personnel should have their ‘hours’ recorded for acknowledgement at the end of the season presentations and in the club’s annual report.

water safety policy

High Visibility clothing policy

water safety supervisor

As the Water Safety Supervisor, you will be responsible for managing and implementing adequate water safety for all water based activities. This is a key role within a surf life saving club, ensuring the safety of members, in particular during junior activities sessions. You will be overseeing a team of water safety officers and be responsible for completing risk assessments in conjunction with key personnel (e.g. Patrol Captains, Lifeguards, Junior Activities Coordinators, etc.).

AQUATIC RISK CHECK AND MANAGEMENT FORM

The Aquatic Risk Check and Management Form is a mandatory risk assessment, required by SLSA to be completed by an accredited coach, activity leader, water safety supervisor or training officer before commencing any water-based activities.

The Aquatic Activity Risk Check and Management Form has been designed and developed to assist clubs and Branches with risk management and assessment procedures and to ensure the safety of members. As per the SLSA requirement, it is mandatory for a risk assessment of the selected area to be conducted before the commencement of any water based lifesaving activities. This includes but is not limited to:

Lifesaving activities for Surf Life Saving members (including Junior Activities)
Lifesaving activities for members of the public
Competition activities for Surf Life Saving members

Branches will regulate the use of the form to ensure that all clubs are complying with SLSA requirements and to guarantee that all members of the association are operating within a safe environment.

The SLSA Aquatic Activity Risk Check and Management Form can be found in the SLSA Policy 1.01a – Water Safety Procedure or on the SLSA Members Portal.

The form is also available as a mobile app through SLSA. For access to the app, download and complete F049 – IT Systems Access Form, by visiting visit the SLSA Members Portal: Library> Governance> Policies, Forms, SOPs and more > Forms > SLSA.

Branches may have additional requirements in regards to the use of the form. Please make sure you check with your relevant branch for further details.

MID WEEK TRAINING FORM TEMPLATE

water safety personnel

Every surf lifesaving water event requires a dedicated and well-trained team of water safety officials working behind the scenes. As part of the water safety team at an event/activity, you will work closely with officials, water safety supervisors, Junior Activities Coordinators and/or first aid officers to ensure the safety of all members and participants when entering the water.

WATER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

The MINIMUM water safety ratio for Junior Activities is 1 water safety to 5 participants; however your club or branches may have additional requirements on top of this policy.

To be considered as water safety, you must hold either a Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion.

SURF RESCUE CERTIFICATE

The Surf Rescue Certificate is usually a stepping-stone towards the Bronze Medallion.

The requirements to complete a Surf Rescue Certificate are:

Minimum age of 13 years
Ability to complete a 200m pool swim in under 5 minutes
Attend a 35 hour (approx.) course (spread over a number of days/weeks as determined by your club)

BRONZE MEDALLION

The Bronze Medallion (Certificate II in Public Safety) is the primary award that most patrolling members hold. After obtaining a Bronze Medallion, members can go on to obtain further awards such as the IRB Crew and IRB Drivers.

The requirements to complete a Bronze Medallion are:

Minimum age of 15 years
Ability to complete a 400m pool swim in under 9 minutes
Attend a 40 hour (approx.) course (spread over a number of days/weeks as determined by your club)

Once you have successfully completed the Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion, you will not only be qualified to provide water safety for Junior Activities but will also be eligible to patrol.

To find out further information about gaining a Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion, please contact your club’s Chief Training Officer or Club Administrator.

U6 & u7 water safety requirements

The Under 6/7 Activities guidelines have been created to outline the rules and regulations for Clubs to comply with in respect to the safe participation and administration of Under 6/7’s programs.

Individual Clubs may apply additional criteria for the inclusion of Under 6/7’s in Club activities in terms of parental involvement and duty of care. Consideration should also be given to a shorter time on the beach for Under 6/7’s given their attention span and concentration levels.

The following guidelines must be observed:

All participants in the Under 6 and Under 7 age group must wear a different coloured lifesaving cap during all junior activities sessions. i.e. Fluorescent green or coloured caps that vary from all other age groups for safety reasons.
The absolute minimum age for such children is 5 years. Age is determined as at midnight on 30 September at the commencement of that season. A child may join as soon as they turn 5. No club is to accept membership of a child until they have reached the age of 5 to comply with insurance requirements. A child who reaches 5 after the 30th of September may join nippers at that time for the remainder of the season; however, this child will be required to stay in the U6 nippers age group again the following season. it is the clubs responsibility to explain this to the parents. Note: proof of age must be sighted for all new children joining a club.
Children involved in Under 6/7 Activities can participate in shallow water activities up to knee depth of the participant
Children can utilise Club foam boogie boards (no hard plastic, rails or fins) in shallow water (broken waves only).
Under no circumstances are these children to participant in structured competition activities and should only partake in fun social activities.

heat management policy

nipper adult assistant induction (Naai)

Following the release of the NAA Induction in 2021/2022 there was a variety of feedback given to SLSQ Staff and the Junior Activities Advisory Panel (JAAP).

The feedback covered a range of information. One of the reoccurring pain points was the significant number of prerequisites in the initial release of the award.

The NAAI is to provide a non-fitness orientated position to allow members to contribute to the beach and aquatic supervision of our youngest nippers (U6 – U8 age groups). Nipper Adult Assistants are qualified to provide water supervision for wading and ‘shallow water’ activities to the age appropriate depth.

Course Prerequisites

To complete the SLSQ Nipper Adult Assistant Induction, Candidates must have met the following course pre-requisites:

Be a current financial member
Minimum of 18 years old at date of assessment
Hold a valid working with children suitability (Blue) Card which is linked to SLSQ
Complete the SLSQ Child and Youth Risk Management Strategies e-learning Course
Complete the SLSA Child Safe Awareness Course
Ability to float in water
Ability to swim 50m or more (freestyle)

Roles and Responsibilities

Attend Nipper activities safety brief prior to commencing daily duties;
Assist with supervision of Nippers (U6 to U8 age groups) on beach and/or in shallow water activities as directed by the Age Manager;
Be aware at all times of the safety and welfare of those involved in the activity and immediately report any concerns to the Age Manager;
Advise the Age Manager of any pre-existing ailments that may impact their participation or if their competency does not meet the activity requirements or conditions;
Not exceed their qualification or competency in the surf/ water zone; and
Be wearing the appropriate water supervision (NAA) uniform.

Key Activities

Wading (skills, individual races & relay races)
Body Boarding
Other shallow water activities identified by club or in the SLSQ Games Manual (discuss what activities your club do at Nippers in shallow water)

Uniform

A high visibility (fluorescent) bib style vest with “NAA” printed on the front and back.

Note: The colour is to be a fluoro green as per SLSQ High Visibility Clothing Policy MS13.

If the member chooses to wear a wetsuit, stinger suit or sun shirt, the high visibility (fluorescent) vest must be worn as the outer most garment (i.e. over top of the wetsuit or stinger suit).