Surf Life Saving WA's Lifeguard Service is built on the resources of its people, both part-time and casual staff who work hand-in-hand with the extensive voluntary network. The services throughout WA are part of the Australian Lifeguard Service network and Surf Life Saving uses the experience and knowledge of their people, combined with a long and distinguished history, to be the leading authority in aquatic safety in Australia.
The services are designed to provide lifeguard services to Local Government and private corporations throughout Australia. The Australian Lifeguard Service is part of Surf Life Saving Australia and is the largest provider of professional lifeguards in the country. Combined with its access to a national infrastructure that includes communications networks, specialist rescue services, the provision of nationally accredited training, as well as international experts in medical research, rescue equipment and coastal management, this makes Surf Life Saving the employer and provider of choice. The Surf Life Saving WA Lifeguard Service is contracted to nine local government authorities, patrolling fifteen beaches along the entire coast of Western Australia.
Surf Life Saving WA is in a unique position to offer councils and developers a highly professional and cost-efficient lifeguard system to suit their needs. Lifeguard Services offers a number of key benefits to clients that cannot be matched by other beach patrol services in this country.
Some of these key benefits are;
- Saving of council management and administrative time;
- Detailed knowledge of existing beaches and lifeguarding requirements;
- Risk assessment auditing and ongoing data collection of the Australian Beach Safety Management Program leading to safer beaches and more effective lifeguarding strategies;
- National best practice training, signage and professional audit systems;
- Seamless linkage to the extensive network and immediate recognition of the Surf Life Saving volunteer clubs; and
- Provision of direct training to members of the local community in areas such as surf awareness and water safety through SLSWA Surf Education programs.
Importantly lifeguard and Surf Life Saving functions are the core function of Surf Life Saving Services. We are the only group in WA to specifically focus on these functions. The higher level of staff training, equipment and skills of our lifeguards reflects this focus every day.
International Expertise
Surf Life Saving is internationally renowned as a leading authority on aquatic safety. The standards in place for our lifeguards remain at the top end of the international scale. Surf Life Saving is also affiliated with the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) and is actively involved in designing and implementing international safety standards, including aquatic safety signage, uniforms, rescue equipment and craft. The International Lifesaving Federation has recently recognised the red and yellow lifeguard uniform as the standard for all aquatic safety services throughout the world, as used by the SLSWA Lifeguard Service.
Qualifications & Duties
Essential Qualifications:
- A current SLSA Gold Medallion or have the ability to obtain a SLSA Gold Medallion
- A current Senior First Aid Certificate
- Demonstrated ability to work unsupervised
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with staff and the public
- Possess good interpersonal skills
- Lifeguarding/lifesaving patrol experience
- Demonstrate an ability to work in a team situation
- A current WA motor vehicle driver's license
Essential personal specifications:
- The lifeguard is required to keep physically fit to perform all lifeguard duties with the fitness to be at a level to enable him/her to pass the following:
- 800 metre pool swim under 14 minutes
- 1600 metre run under 7 minutes
- Demonstrate an ability to rescue and return to shore on rescue board over 250 metres
- Demonstrate an ability to negotiate a surf break on return to shore on rescue board
- Demonstrate an ability in a 150 metre rescue tube swim, patient pick up and return to shore
- Successfully demonstrate EAR and CPR - one and two person
- Successfully complete a theory examination
- Successfully complete a run/swim/board time trial
Lifeguard Responsibilities
The role of our Lifeguards is to ensure a safer beach environment for visitors. Their role also includes -
- Prevent death and/or injury to members of the public
- Ensure that beaches under State's jurisdiction are maintained to Surf Life Saving's ‘best practice' standards
- Conduct lifeguard operations within the area(s) allocated by the Beach Services Coordinator of SLSWA
- Maintain a level of proficiency in lifesaving and additional skills and fulfill the physical requirements expected of a lifeguard at any given time
- Be responsible for maintaining good public relations and maintenance of the Lifeguard Service "image" whilst on duty
- Attend lifeguard meetings and training sessions as required
- Maintain clothing and equipment provided by SLSWA
- Assist with community education programs as required
- Prepare and submit regular reports to the Beach Services Coordinator of SLSWA
- Complete all documentation on a daily basis that is required for this position
- Adhere to the principles of current human resource management practices including (but not limited to) Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Occupational Health and Safety and Anti-discriminatio
For further information on becoming a lifeguard contact the Beach Services Coordinator at Surf Life Saving WA on (08) 9243 9444.
