Lifesaving Competition

Introduction to Lifesaving Competition

An important part of competition is the development and honing of skills that will assist members while performing their patrolling duties. SLSA conducts many competitions that highlight the skills involved in rescue, resuscitation and first aid. Lifesaving competition events are described briefly in this section and in separate manuals and bulletins which may be issued from time to time.

If you are interested in possibly competing for our Club in any of the Lifesaving competitive events listed, please contact the Club Captain or your Patrol Captain for further information.

Champion Lifesaver

This event provides individual SLSA members the opportunity to demonstrate in a competitive manner the physical, life saving and knowledge skills required of a lifesaver. Credit is also given for life saving awards held.

It is determined on a point score basis, currently the total maximum points are 130. The four sections that comprise the Champion Lifesaver event are:

Competition Events (max. 40 points)
Questionnaire (max. 40 points)
Resuscitation (max. 50 points)
Awards (max 10 points)

Rules, point’s allocation and procedure for the conduct of the Champion Lifesaver event are outlined in the SLSA Surf Sports Manual.

First Aid

The First Aid Competition is a team event designed to promote and to demonstrate a high standard of First Aid prowess by SLSA members. The competition is held with a simulated accident scenario and a set time limit for each team in the event. All teams receive the same scenario, where every effort is made to achieve realism with the scenario and in the presentation of casualties, giving the competitors the correct atmosphere by using casualty make-up, acting and staging.

Teams consist of two members from the same club. Judging of the competition is effected by marking sheets, which are related to the following seven sections of the scenario:

  • Approach to casualty
  • Examination of casualty and diagnosis of injuries
  • Specific points for all treatments
  • Disposal of casualty
  • Management of the incident
  • First Aid kits
  • Judge’s discretion

The rules, point’s allocation and procedure for the conduct of the Champion Lifesaver event are outlined in the SLSA Surf Sports Manual.

Patrol Competition

The aim of the SLSA Patrol Competition is to demonstrate how lifesavers work as a team in performing some or all of the skills associated with surf rescue patrol work. Team members in the Patrol Competition must be members of the same Club, but not necessarily be from the same Club patrol.

The Patrol Competition includes a number of physical skills, practical and theory tasks involving racing, rescue and/or first aid situations.

It is important to note this is not the same as our own Patrol Competition. Cronulla SLSC judges on such issues as patrol hours, 100% attendance, random inspections and participation in awards and lifesaving competitions. In contrast, SLSA have divided their Patrol Competition into 4 basic sections:

  • Physical skills
  • Theory
  • Resuscitation
  • Task (scenario)

The team with the greatest number of points from all sections is declared the winner.

Each team consists of six (6) competitors who are all proficient holders of the Bronze Medallion and Advanced Resuscitation Certificate. At least one needs to have their IRB Drivers Certificate, with one other also being either a proficient IRB Driver or IRB Crewman.

The rules, point’s allocation and procedure for the conduct of the Champion Lifesaver event are outlined in the SLSA Surf Sports Manual.

Rescue & Resuscitation

The Rescue & Resuscitation (R&R) competition provides the opportunity for SLSA members to demonstrate in a competitive manner some Rescue and Resuscitation methods.

The rules and regulations of the R&R event are encompassed within the Rescue & Resuscitation Competition Manual and subsequent bulletins.