Surf Rescue Magazine 2013-2014

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5 Minutes with Ryan Rosenbaum

Lifesaving News What you need to know for this season

Introducing National Rescue of the Month

North, South, East and West Profiling four clubs from around Australia

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CONTENTS 10

06

04

WELCOME

03

LIFESAVING NEWS

04

5 MINUTES WITH...

06

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

08

MEMBER EDUCATION NEWS

10

IT NEWS

13

16

SLS PROFILES

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PUBLIC EDUCATION NEWS

20

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

22

RESEARCH NEWS

24

SLS LIFESAVING COMMITTEES

25

DROWNING SNAPSHOT

26

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Surf Rescue welcomes your contribution; in fact we want to hear from you! If you would like to contribute an interest piece or member profile, please send a letter and high-resolution photos to ‘The Editor – Surf Rescue’: Surf Life Saving Australia Locked Bag 1010, Rosebery, NSW 2018 info@slsa.asn.au PUBLISHER: Surf Life Saving Australia, Locked Bag 1010, Rosebery, NSW 2018 (02) 9215 8000 EDITOR: Bree Corbett—Surf Life Saving Australia CONTRIBUTORS: Sarah Anderson, Anthony Bradstreet, Barbara Brighton, Gary Daly, Norm Farmer, Mark Fife OAM, Ryan Rosenbaum, Dr Shauna Sherker, Amy Teale DESIGN: Tom Parsons and Virginia Batstone — Surf Life Saving Australia, Front cover image: Nathan Edwards/Newspix

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WELCOME

H

ere we are at the beginning of another season, 2013/2014.

Last season we collectively carried out more than 11,533 rescues Much has happened over the past 12 months: • ‘ Blackspot’ funding from the Federal Government, targeting drowning hot spots throughout the country; • PFDs (personal flotation devices) to be worn by all IRB operators (drivers and crews) in all SLS operations; • The continuing of PPE (personal protective equipment) trials for member safety;

• C ontinual updating of risk management guidelines for the SLS aquatic and on-beach environment; • Our members in Tasmania are working with VMR (Volunteer Marine Rescue) to expand services to coastal areas that don’t have a lifesaving service; and • All states and territory are operating ‘after hours’ callout services. These services have responded to flood evacuations, river rescues and many first aid and resuscitation emergencies throughout Australia.

Our patrolling members continually put themselves at the forefront of protecting the bathing public in first aid, preventative actions and rescues. Last season we collectively carried out more than 11,533 rescues, performed 905,574 preventive actions and 64,645 first aids.

The recent release of the 2013 National Coastal Safety Report highlights the coastal safety trends (page 26).

At the recent National Awards of Excellence, Ryan Rosenbaum (Tacking Point SLSC) was announced as the DHL Surf Lifesaver of the Year. An outstanding lifesaver and representative for the movement, you can read about Ryan’s story in this issue on page 6.

There have also been some outstanding rescues performed by our members.

Read some of their stories and see the full list of our Meritorious Award recipients on page 8.

Our patrolling members continually put themselves at the forefront of protecting the bathing public in first aid, preventative actions and rescues Surf Life Saving Australia continues to grow and expand services, but this outcome has only been achieved because of the untiring commitment that our members give.

Thank you to all our members who give their time and uphold the vision for the movement - vigilance and service.

Yours in Lifesaving,

Mark Fife OAM National Director of Lifesaving

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Lifesaving News

Lifejackets in IRBs S

LSA has recently mandated the compulsory wearing of lifejackets by all IRB operators (drivers and crewperson/s) in all IRB operations.

This decision was made to enhance the safety of members operating in an IRB and also conforms to relevant state or territory maritime authority regulations.

(AS:4758 or ISO:12402 at Level 50) and ideally be in relevant SLS lifesaving colours (for front-line lifesaving operations).

All IRB operators...must wear a lifejacket when operating an IRB for front-line lifesaving services and during competition

By 1 October 2014, all clubs and services must ensure full compliance with this new regulation. All IRB operators must wear a lifejacket when operating an IRB for front-line lifesaving services and during competition (including all training sessions).

To assist with the implementation of this decision, SLSA will have high-quality lifejackets for sale on the SLSA online store. To visit the store click here. These lifejackets have been designed as a highquality, competition-style lifejacket, are certified to the AS: 4758, and are branded for front-line lifesaving operations.

The lifejacket must be certified to the Australian or International standards

For more information please refer to SLSA bulletin 03/13–14 link.

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Lifesaving News

Patrol Uniforms P

atrol shirt and short allocations for the 2013/14 lifesaving season have been finalised.

As per previous seasons, all clubs will receive a free allocation of patrol shirts and shorts to cater for new active patrolling members (new SRC and Bronze Medallion patrolling members).

Clubs have recently been advised of their patrol shirts and shorts allocation via the issue of a credit coupon. Credit coupons were emailed to the club email address as listed in the SLSA online shop database. Clubs can retrieve their free allocation of patrol shirts and shorts via the SLSA online surf shop. Clubs may select the uniform sizes they require and also the most appropriate delivery address.

New uniform stock is available from the SLSA online store now here.

For more information please refer to SLSA circular 7/13-14 here.

Lifesaving EQUIPMENT MBF fuel cells for IRBs were approved for use.

SUP Trial SLSWA and SLSQ are conducting a trial to assess the suitability of stand-up paddleboards (SUP) in front-line lifeguard operations.

The trial will continue through the 2013/2014 season.

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5 MINUTES WITH... dhl SURF LIFESAVER OF THE YEAR RYAN ROSENBAUM AGE 27 CLUB TACKING POINT You’re currently a lifesaver at Tacking Point in NSW. Is this where you started out with Surf Life Saving?

Yeah, so I started at the club in the under 6’s as a Nipper, from there I grew up through the ranks and completed my Surf Rescue Certificate in 1999 and started patrolling duties. From there, I completed my Bronze Medallion in 2001, as time passed I obtained my Basic Beach Management in 2007 and became Patrol Captain for the first time, taking over from my well-experienced father.

When did you join Surf Life Saving and what made you join? What keeps you involved?

I was young when my father, a Life Member of Tacking Point Surf Life Saving Club, taught me the ways of the water.

For the past 35 years, Bob has been a member of the organisation and I have indicated that I intend to follow in his footsteps. Even from the earliest stages of my life, I have been exposed to the beach life—the surf, the sun and the waves.

Lifesaving was taught to me from a very young age and consequently Surf Life Saving flows through my veins.

Even from the earliest stages of my life—I have been exposed to the beach life—the surf, the sun and the waves What’s your key role at Tacking Point SLSC? I currently hold positions at club, branch and state levels. I am Patrol Captain within Tacking Point Surf Club and a mentor for young up-and-coming Patrol Captains. I also hold the position of Deputy Director of Lifesaving for the Mid North Coast (MNC) Branch and I am responsible for the support operations including duty officers, night operations, RWC operators, and search and rescue teams. But,

more importantly I am one of three administrators for Taree Old Bar SLSC on the state’s lower North Coast.

What’s your most memorable lifesaving moment?

The best moment would be in 2007, Tacking Point was holding the Stramit Country titles for NSW, the starter gun went for the boat crews and all of a sudden the sweep on one of the boats had a heart attack on the line, he was pulled out of the water by the crew unconscious and not breathing. CPR was started by the boat area doctor and a club member, I called for the defibrillator

unit and the years of training kicked in, it was like clockwork between myself on the defibrillator and the other two doing CPR, the defibrillator advised of a shock, and that moment of pressing the button and watching someone come back to life was priceless—a moment where you give life back not only to the patient but the family also.

What’s your best achievement in your lifesaving career?

The day I received my Bronze Medallion.

At that moment I could stand alongside my father on the beach and become a full patrol member, I could make a difference.

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5 MINUTES WITH...

AN RY M SENBAU RO

What does the future have in store for you and Surf Life Saving?

The coming season I see myself at the 18-to-25 networking camp as a presenter, the 15-to-17 Junior Lifesaver of the Year Workshop as a facilitator for SLSNSW and I have also nominated for the National Leadership College through SLSA, all the programs are great opportunities that are offered through Surf Life Saving. I will continue to patrol at my home beach along with the rescue water craft (RWC) patrols within the MNC area, I will also be looking for opportunities through SLSA and its states to represent the importance of Surf Life Saving and the organisation.

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AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Awards of Excellence

S

urf Life Saving recognises the hard work, selflessness and enthusiasm of our volunteers. Each year the ‘Awards of Excellence’ looks back on the past year and acknowledges the outstanding contribution our members make.

Some of this year’s finalists and winners are…

DHL Surf Lifesaver of the Year

DHL Volunteer of the Year

Winner: Ryan Rosenbaum (NSW)

Winner: Sam Edwards (NT)

Introducing National Rescue of the Month Lifesavers and lifeguards provide an essential service to communities throughout Australia. Many exceptional rescues and first-aid actions performed each year are over and above normal duties and showcase excellence in lifesaving skills and procedures.

The SLSA board has endorsed the implementation of a National Rescue of the Month program commencing in December 2013. It expands on similar successful recognition programs currently being run by SLSNSW and SLSQ.

Finalists:

Finalists:

• • • • • •

• • • • • •

Deryck Taylor (QLD) David Nankervis (VIC) Mark Ackroyd (TAS) Kylie Ellison (SA) George Mumford (WA) Andrew McGuiness (NT)

Megan Williams (WA) Adrian Goldsmith (SA) Sandra Gadsby (TAS) Darren McLeod (VIC) Trent Thomas (NSW) Terrance Lund (QLD)

DHL Club of the Year Winner: Noosa Heads SLSC (QLD)

The Rescue of the Month recognises excellence in lifesaving and service delivery, measured against industry best practice and operating procedures. It does not encourage unnecessary risk or neglecting safety considerations and standard operating procedures.

The program is designed to: 1. Increase the recognition and promotion of surf lifesavers, ALS lifeguards and support operations services after an incident; and 2. Increase the number of meritorious awards.

Each state and territory will award a Rescue of the Month. The monthly winners will automatically be nominated for the National Rescue of the Month.

The National Rescue of the Month will be awarded quarterly to recipients at Parliament House in Canberra. The Rescue of the Month is a separate recognition program to the SLSA Meritorious Awards.

Finalists: • Woonona SLSC (NSW) • Brighton SLSC (SA)

• North Cottesloe (WA) • Gove Peninsula (NT)

Members, clubs and support operations services and Australian Lifeguard Services may nominate to both programs separately.

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AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Meritorious Awards

M

eritorious Awards are awarded to affiliated clubs and/or their members and/or the public for outstanding deeds of bravery performed in the sphere of operations of SLSA (lifesaving­—both during and outside of designated patrol hours).

Individual Certificate of Merit w/Silver Insert Bradley Heard, Gary Murphy, Mark Puglisi (Ballina Jet Boat Surf Rescue Service) Bradley, Gary and Mark are recognised for their bravery on 15 April 2013 when the Ballina Jet Rescue Boat, Surf Rescue 40, was tasked by the Surf Rescue Emergency Response System to assist two vessels in distress at the mouth of the Richmond River at Ballina. Facing swells of over 2 m, the crew of SR 40 undertook night operations to locate and rescue the four crew of the Marine Rescue vessel which had capsized whilst responding to a motor cruiser in trouble. Upon retrieval, SR 40 successfully manoeuvred through the surf zone and beached the boat at Shelley Beach. The bravery, skills and swift response shown by the crew and volunteers of the Ballina Jet Boat Surf Rescue saved four lives.

Bradley Heard (Ballina Jet Boat Surf Rescue Service) Individual Certificate of Merit w/Silver Insert Gary Murphy (Ballina Jet Boat Surf Rescue Service) Individual Certificate of Merit w/Silver Insert Mark Puglisi (Ballina Jet Boat Surf Rescue Service) Individual Certificate of Merit w/Silver Insert Michael Banister (Cronulla SLSC) Individual Certificate of Merit w/ Bronze Insert Andrew Mizzi (Broulee Surfers SLSC) Individual Certificate of Merit w/ Bronze Insert Anika Morgan (Woolgoolga SLSC) Individual Certificate of Merit Trent O’Shea (Scamander SLSC) Individual Certificate of Merit Toby Adams (North Wollongong SLSC) and Iain Adams Individual Certificate of Merit for Toby Adams and a Letter of Commendation for Iain Adams

Gary Barben and Bronwyn Gilchrist Individual Certificate of Merit for Gary Barben and a Letter of Commendation for Bronwyn Gilchrist

Beau Jeffries (Avoca SLSC) Group Certificate of Merit (Declan Tancred, William Hardy, Beau Jeffries)

SLSQ Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service Group Certificate of Merit w/ Bronze Insert

Mooloolaba SLSC and Bulli SLSC Letter of Commendation sent to both clubs

SLSQ Bundaberg Region 24-Hour Emergency Response Crew Group Certificate of Merit w/ Bronze Insert Ballina Jet Boat Surf Rescue Service Group Certificate of Merit Point Lonsdale SLSC Group Certificate of Merit SLSQ Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service Group Certificate of Merit Declan Tancred (Avoca SLSC) Group Certificate of Merit (Declan Tancred, William Hardy, Beau Jeffries) William Hardy (Avoca SLSC) Group Certificate of Merit (Declan Tancred, William Hardy, Beau Jeffries)

Mooloolaba SLSC & Alexandra Headland Letter of Commendation sent to both clubs Holly Pascoe and Richard Pascoe Individual Letters of Commendation

National Medals The National Medal was established by the Commonwealth Government of Australia in 1975 as one of the original elements of the distinctive Australian system of honours and awards. The medal recognises long service in organisations that protect life and property at some risk to their members.

For eligibility and application details for SLS awards please refer to the member recognition section of the SLS website: sls.com.au.

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MEMBER EDUCATION news

New Courses for 2013/14

• A dvanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate; and • Spinal Management Certificate.

The Pool Lifeguard Bridging Course is aligned to the following nationally recognised units of competency, which are a part of the SIS10 Pool Lifeguard Skill Set. • S ISCAQU202A Perform basic water rescues • SISCAQU306A Supervise clients at an aquatic facility or environment • SISCAQU307A Perform advanced water rescues On successful completion of this course, participants will be issued with an SLSA Pool Lifeguard Bridging Course Certificate and the SIS10 Pool Lifeguard Skill set, enabling them to be employed at aquatic facilities as qualified pool lifeguards.

Online Introduction to Search and Rescue This new online course is recommended for Patrol Captains and Vice Captains as part of their ongoing skills maintenance, but is also available to any Bronze Medallion holder. The course has been developed to provide access to the theory content of the Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue course that is most relevant to the role of Patrol Captain.

Silver Medallion Communications Centre Operator This season we have introduced a new award—the Silver Medallion Communications Centre Operator. The aim of this course is to provide participants with the skills to work in an SLS communications centre. This award replaces the Silver Medallion Radio Controller award and is aligned to the following nationally recognised units of competency: • P UAECO001A Operate telephone systems; • PUAECO002A Process emergency incident calls and enquiries; and • PUAECO003A Operate and control radio networks.

Pool Lifeguard Bridging Course A trial is underway of the Pool Lifeguard Bridging Course. This course is designed to facilitate a career pathway into pool lifeguarding for surf lifesavers who already hold the following awards and associated units of competency: • Bronze Medallion/Cert II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue); • Apply (Senior) First Aid;

NEW ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR THE BRONZE MEDALLION/CERT II ASSESSMENT AND PROFICIENCY During the CPR section of a Bronze Medallion assessment or proficiency, CPR must now be demonstrated on an infant manikin AND on an adult or child manikin.

Previously, CPR demonstration on an infant manikin was not a compulsory task for this assessment and/or proficiency.

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MEMBER EDUCATION news Course Developments Updated Resources A number of courses were trialled during the 2012/13 season, and these courses have all now been endorsed for release by the Lifesaving Standing Committee.

Updates have been made to the course resources based on participants, trainer, assessor and facilitator feedback.

• S ilver Medallion Basic Beach Management • Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue • Radio Operator Certificate • Silver Medallion Advanced First Aid Overall feedback on these courses has been very good; in particular people have praised the practical, applied nature of the Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue and the revamped Silver Medallion Basic Beach Management.

The Advanced First Aid Manual and the training support materials to accompany it have also been updated. The Silver Medallion Advanced First Aid award includes the modules: • • • •

Spinal management; Pain management; Advanced resuscitation techniques; and Advanced first aid.

The new course resources for the Spinal, Pain and ARTC awards will be phased in over the 2013/14 season and will replace the previous versions that are not linked to the Advanced First Aid Manual.

Resuscitation Certificate—a learner guide, delivery and assessment guide and PowerPoint are now available for the Resuscitation Certificate. Previously these course materials were incorporated into the Apply (Senior) First Aid course resources but have now been separated for clarity and ease of use.

Learner guides are available in the Members Portal library section: Education\ Members\SLSA\Learning Resources.

Delivery and assessment guides are in the library under Restricted Resources—ask your state Education Manager for access.

eLearning News For the 2013/14 season we are launching three new online course resources: • Introduction to Search and Rescue; • Spinal Management; and • Pain Management .

The Introduction to Search and Rescue is a wholly online course. Upon completion a member’s SurfGuard record will be updated to include the award.

The Spinal and Pain Management online components are theory learning and assessment courses designed to reduce the amount of face-to-face learning time required. They ensure that candidates have a basic level of knowledge and understanding before they attend their course. Upon completion of the online component candidates must also complete some face-to-face learning, practical instruction and assessment tasks.

We are also commencing development of a new online Bronze Medallion/ Cert II resource.

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HELPING:

For BRP, our SLS partnership extends beyond our endorsed supplier status.

DID YOU KNOW?

Official Powercraft Sponsor of SLS

In 2009, the BRP & SLS partnership was born & ever since we have been providing significant financial & product contributions.

In addition, our Club Support Program assists all SLS clubs in upgrading their personal watercraft, side-by-side vehicles & outboards. Products are specifically factory configured to meet the unique rescue requirements of SLS. BRP is committed to the ‘Surf Life Saving’ movement. This commitment extends a whole lot further than our title as the official powercraft partner at the top of the endorsed supplier list.

BRP supply Sea-Doo watercraft and Can-Am Commanders as a turnkey solution to SLS.

(Approved by SLS)

(Approved by SLS)

Sea-Doo GTX 155 & GTI130 / 155SE

Can-Am Commander 800 DPS

• Intelligent Brake & Reverse (iBR) - The world's only

• Powerful ROTAX engine & auto-locking 4x4

• Industry exclusive Closed Loop Cooling System (CLCS) -

• Impressive 680kg towing capacity for heavy loads

on-water braking system for enhanced rescue safety.

system for optimal soft sand performance

the only PWC that uses coolant as opposed to corrosive saltwater to cool engine for greater reliability.

such as surf-boats & PWCs

• Learning Key - limits speed for beginners, allowing

• LFI Hull for greater stability and control in challenging

surf clubs to safely train the next generation of lifesavers.

surf conditions.

To learn more call us today, we have staff dedicated to supporting the BRP / SLS partnership: Jayson Ginn (02) 9355-2710

BRP is also the manufacturer of: SKI-DOO EVINRUDE ROTAX ®

© 2013 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates.

®

®

BRP.COM

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IT NEWS

Lifesaving Online

W

ith the 2013/14 season upon us, clubs will be welcoming back existing members and signing up new members.

Members Portal Goes Live

club member can review and update their personal details (address, email, mobile etc.), view assessments (including proficiency expiry dates), view patrols (including roster and hours patrolled), access eLearning courses (such as Age Manager and parts of the Bronze Medallion) and, of course, join a club or renew their membership. If you’d like to use Lifesaving Online, we’ve produced a short how-to video that explains the whole account creation process—you can find it on YouTube.

Back in 2009, SLSA embarked on a project to unify its systems and applications to create a single log-on system that would give members access to the systems in one location.

The amalgamation of our organisation’s databases has been a sizeable task, but we have now rolled out the Member’s Portal and invite all surf club members, administrators, lifeguards and members of support organisations to create and activate an account.

Enables members of surf lifesaving clubs to access their own records as well as connecting you to eLearning

In the past that would have meant a large pile of paperwork for the club’s long-suffering registrar, but these days, SLSA’s self-service membership system Lifesaving Online can take much of the strain out of this busy part of the year.

Lifesaving Online connects directly to SurfGuard (the national membership database) and enables all members of surf lifesaving clubs to access their own records as well as connecting you to eLearning. Once a Lifesaving Online account has been created, a surf

The portal is a member-facing system carrying member-specific news, announcements and job listings on its noticeboard. It includes a new library carrying national files and also state (and later branch and club) documents. It also features a communications system. Going forwards, club officials will be able to access SurfGuard through the portal to carry out club administrative duties; access personal records; access and administer library documents; and view news. It will begin with the inclusion of Lifesaving Online into the portal in the new year and the retirement of the Lifesaving Online web address.

The new Patrol Ops app is currently being trialed. Patrol members can use the GPS capabilities of their device to log flag locations, hazards and incidents on the beach. The results are used operationally and displayed in Beachsafe. Lifeguards and support personnel can also use the app to log their movements while away from base, details are sent to Surfcom. If you’re interested in trialling the app, please contact your state centre.

Since many accounts are only accessed at this time of the year in order to renew membership, usernames and passwords are often forgotten. If you’re having problems logging in, then simply click on the forgotten username/password link at the top of the page and follow the prompts. If you still can’t gain access to your account because your email address and mobile phone number have changed, then contact your club and they’ll be able to update your details manually.

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IT NEWS Beachsafe Our Community Safety Portal

The Beachsafe suite of websites and apps is our shopfront for coastal aquatic safety and helps the public and tourists make safe choices when visiting the beach. We encourage all clubs to ‘own’ their beach in Beachsafe by:

Patrol Ops App for Patrol Members

T

he new Patrol Ops app works with the new portal and brings recording hazards, incidents and patrol information to the smartphone. It uses the GPS capabilities of smartphones to log all elements of a patrol.

In order to log the patrol information correctly, a patrol member need only log in and then stand next to each item that needs recording. For example, to log the location of the flags, they stand next to the left flag and press the appropriate link in the app and then repeat for the right flag. Hazards, such as rips, can be recorded in the same way and rescue

data, such as preventative actions, can also be instantly recorded.

Information recorded on the app is sent to the Surfcom patrol management system for use by Surfcom operators, and also to Beachsafe where members of the public can view real-time information on patrols that may even include a photograph taken by a patrol member that very day.

Please note, access to deployment of the Patrol Ops app to clubs is being coordinated of the state centres. They are assessing the systems that SLSA has created and will determine the timetable to release them to their affiliated clubs and support organisations.

• C hecking information is up-to-date and sending updates to your state centre; • Ensuring your patrols advise Surfcom when hazards exist at your beach OR use the Patrol Ops app to track hazards; • Cross linking your club to your beach in Beachsafe; • Promoting the ‘Near Me’ and the multi-lingual functionality; • Using the Surf Ed information for community education; and • Adding club-related events to the ‘What’s On’ facility.

Beachsafe is available on the web through a browser at beachsafe.org.au, through iTunes as an app, on an Android through Google Play and on other smartphones through their built-in browsers.

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IT NEWS

SurfGuard With the addition of Queensland to the states using SurfGuard, we now have a complete nationally administered, country-wide membership system. Members of the organisation can arrange transfers to or from any SLS organisation safe in the knowledge that their membership records, all their awards and patrol hours, and personal details will be able to electronically move with them.

Get Connected

I

f your club operates their own social media page then we encourage you to connect with other clubs in the branch, your state and the national pages and groups.

You can find SLSA’s facebook page at Facebook—feel free to drop by and Like us and we’ll return the favour. Our facebook page often has the news first, along with great photos from the various sporting events SLSA and its affiliated organisations operate.

The Beachsafe website has social media connections to your beach and also has the ability for you to log events related to your beach. We encourage you and your club to use beachsafe.org.au as it contains a large amount of very useful information.

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SLS PROFILES North, South, East and West SLSA profiles four clubs in four very different locations.

N

Gove Peninsula SLSC Northern Territory

S

Ulverstone SLSC Tasmania

E

Burning Palms SLSC New South Wales

W

Coogee Beach SLSC Western Australia

North Gove Peninsula SLSC, Northern Territory When was the club formed and why?

Gove Peninsula SLSC was formed in 1972.

How many patrolling members does the club have?

In the season just finished (May–October) we had 42 registered patrolling members.

Qualifications range from Gold Medallion members right through to SRC cadets.

What makes your club unique?

Gove is a small town of approximately 4,000 people, but this season we passed 600 social members. You haven’t been to Gove until you have done a Friday night BBQ at our surf club. We conduct patrols at the Town Beach, and a couple of times a year we conduct a remote patrol at

Little Bondi, which is about 40 minutes in a four-wheel drive.

What’s new this season?

You haven’t been to Gove until you have done a Friday night BBQ at our surf club What are some of the challenges facing the club?

Living at the very top of Australia we are constantly threatened by various marine creatures such as crocodiles and marine stingers. This past season we suffered many changes to our program because a pesky 3-m croc set up residence at the end of our boat ramp.

Despite our gear shed and caretaker’s residence burning down some 18 months ago, this season saw our club host the Northern Territory titles. It was a great weekend, which included pool rescue and ocean events—one of the highlights being beach flags under lights on a purpose-built beach flags arena within our grounds.

Grant Barnett President Gove Peninsula SLSC

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SLS PROFILES

South Ulverstone SLSC, Tasmania When was the club formed and why?

The first meeting was on 6 December 1928, at which meeting the minutes recorded the following: ‘should speedily develop into one with a large membership that will not be averse to giving a hand to those who wish to keep afloat.’

How many patrolling members does the club have?

The club currently has 80-plus active patrolling members and a total membership of around 250 people.

It has produced two gold medallists at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships: Charlene Best (1992 Women’s Board)—Charlene still takes an

active part in coaching members in board and swimming; and John McIver (2000 Under 16 Male Surf Swim).

The club has been well served by many fine members—three have been awarded Life Membership of SLSA: Alan (Pop) Sloane, Norman (Darkie) Wilson and Harold (Binni) Wilson.

Two members—Danny Redman (2002) and Graeme Rollins (2010)—were awarded Volunteer of the Year and Chris Jacobson was awarded Lifesaver of the Year in 2012.

will generate the next generation of members. The club’s success is in no small part due to the ‘Water Awareness/ Learn to Swim’ program that it has operated for the past 35 years, purely on a voluntary basis, with a charge for members of $2.00 per session.

The club currently has 80plus active patrolling members and a total membership of around 250 people

Over the past 30 years, the club has been awarded SLST’s Premier Club award 14 times.

What’s new this season?

This season will be one of consolidation, with a new constitution and committee structure and without renovations.

What are some of the challenges facing the club?

One of the challenges facing the club is maintaining the enthusiasm that

Graham Barry President Ulverstone SLSC

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SLS PROFILES

What are some of the challenges facing the club?

The beach caters to the cabin community, bushwalkers and is on a popular walking coastal track from Bundeena to Otford.

We continue to be strong and financially sound in an environment without businesses. We still run weekly meat raffles at the Mortdale Hotel in Sydney, and receive strong support from the NSW Government for grants and Surf Life Saving NSW, which we appreciate.

East Burning Palms SLSC, New South Wales When was the club formed and why?

Burning Palms is situated in the Royal National Park, south of Sydney. It is one of only two surf clubs that have no road access, the other is our sister club, Era. To reach the beach is a 2.5 km walk down an escarpment from a bush car park to the surf club, surrounded by 26 cabins, which make up the community.

Burning Palms was formed in 1939 by campers who used permanent tent sites and cabins built in the Depression. This season is our 75th anniversary.

How many patrolling members does the club have?

We have 33 active members over four patrols, with a bronze squad in training. Total membership is 228 people.

What makes your club unique?

The club house is unique with its main hall, kitchen, male and female dormitories, and two family rooms. The clubhouse was built by the members, and materials were carried down the hill or brought in by boat. It is an excellent achievement to have a building, such as we do, in a beautiful part of Australia.

Burning Palms was formed in 1939 by campers who used permanent tent sites and cabins built in the Depression In competition, we have a March Past Team (Australian Champions) and a surf boat crew competing at all major carnivals and championships. Our major event each year is a 12-km row down the Georges River called ‘Rooster’s River Run’. We attract up to 50 surf boat crews each year, this year was its 25th anniversary.

What’s new this season?

This season, again our focus is on new members, awards and building our junior members, which is continuing to work well.

Peter M Pearce Honorary Secretary Burning Palms SLSC

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SLS PROFILES West Coogee Beach SLSC, Western Australia When was the club formed and why?

The Coogee Beach SLSC is located on Cockburn Sound within the Woodman Point Regional Park, just south of Fremantle in Western Australia. The club was formed in May 2002 and rapidly grew to some 400 members in its first year. It was formed in response to community demand for a Surf Life Saving club on the beaches of the rapidly growing Perth southern metropolitan suburbs. The club patrols some 3 km of Cockburn coastal beaches, and has a plan to extend this coverage to up to 7 km of Cockburn beaches as development of old industrial areas opens up public access to additional beaches, particularly in North Coogee.

How many patrolling members does the club have?

The club currently has a total membership of more than 1,200 people, with some 90 active patrolling members and a very large Nipper group. The community interest in the new facilities has been outstanding with membership growth already up 40 per cent on last year. The club also has an active youth council, which focuses not only on surf lifesaving activities for this group but also youth-specific social activities.

What makes your club unique?

The Coogee Beach Club is unique because while it is still predominantly a junior club, it is constantly being innovative and has integrated extremely well into the community fabric of the City of Cockburn. It is held up as a community model to aspire to across the city, having a membership catchment area across the whole of Perth metropolitan suburbs south of the Swan River.

What’s new this season?

The club has recently moved into new facilities, which were custom designed for the club and other community groups. The facilities included a $7-million design and construction of a new Regional Beach Access Node, with car parking and new public open

space facilities. The node contains the Coogee Integrated Community Facility, which includes the new clubrooms that are managed by the club with extensive community consultation.

The community interest in the new facilities has been outstanding with membership growth already up 40 per cent on last year Significant sustainability elements have been included in the building design, such as passive heating and cooling elements, and use, where possible, of recycled products to reduce embeddedenergy and greenhouse-gas footprints.

The design also included rainwater harvesting and grey-water recycling for use onsite, solar water heating with solar energy production from solar

panels, and plans for a future wind turbine. The construction program included rehabilitation of some 9 ha of the Woodman Point Regional Park and coastal sand dunes. The facility was designed to blend into this local environment.

A number of other community groups, including the Cockburn Masters Swimming Club, Coogee Beach Stand Up Paddle Board Club, Cockburn Dragon Boat Club, Fremantle Outrigger Canoe Club, Coogee Beach Kite Surfers, and Coogee Beach PADI dive group, are affiliated with, and share the facilities with, the club.

Daryl Smith Development/Public Affairs Coogee Beach SLSC

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PUBLIC EDUCATION NEWS

Back row (L-R) Dr Yuelong Miao, Dan Jaksa, Alex Batty, Michael Peach, Rick Bailey, Craig Holden, Rob McNeil, Anthony Bradstreet, Sarah Anderson.

Front row (L–R) Kimina Lyall, Anna Bligh, Wendy Johnston, Matilda Heselev.

The Australian Disaster Forum Stories capture hearts and minds, hold valuable lessons and also save lives This message was the driving force of the inaugural Australian Disaster Forum held at Questacon in Canberra on 14 October 2013.

Surf Life Saving Australia, in association with the Attorney-General’s Department, presented the forum which explored key themes of: • Disasters will happen; • Disaster resilience is your business; • Connected communities are resilient communities; • Know your risk; • Get ready—then act; and • Learn from experience.

The forum showcased 11 disaster experts and eyewitnesses who related their stories, lessons and ideas across several hazards, including tsunami, bushfire, severe storms and floods.

Following a contemporary TED- style philosophy (Technology, Entertainment, Design www.ted.com)—the presentations were succinct, personal and highly visual.

Speakers were encouraged to share what they had learned from their personal experiences of disasters. Emergency management professionals and students considered aspects of disaster resilience and built a better understanding of disasters through the experience of others.

The speakers ranged from members of government, emergency management professionals and science experts to surf lifesavers and disaster survivors. The

keynote speaker was Anna Bligh, former Premier of Queensland, who discussed her experience in the Queensland floods and severe storms of 2011 and highlighted the importance of resilient communities. Other presenters told inspiring stories of survival, community unity and recovery from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, the 2011 Japanese tsunami and the 2013 the Bundaberg floods.

More than 100 emergency management professionals and high-school students attended the forum, and the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. The Australian Disaster Forum promoted ideas and provided the emergency management community with a face-to-face opportunity for dialogue.

Attendees made new connections and deeper understandings of the devastation

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PUBLIC EDUCATION NEWS

Australian Disaster Forum Program Inner Warning Systems: Lessons from the Tsunami Kimina Lyall, writer and survivor of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Digital Story: Into the Flames Interview with Black Saturday firefighter, Simon Roylance. that natural disasters can wreck and how important it is to be prepared. The stories of the destruction caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami compounded by the lack of a warning system, highlighted this point most strongly. Out of such adversity, however, came good will and spirited international collaboration that ultimately led to the establishment of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System

Bundaberg Floods: Community Partnerships Craig Holden, Regional Operations Manager, Surf Life Saving Queensland, and Wendy Johnston, volunteer lifesaver, Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club.

The Best Worst Thing that Ever Happened to Me Matilda Heselev, Year 9 student who witnessed the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive

Digital Story: Yellow Morning Caitlin Foley, a schoolgirl, gives her account of the Lennox Head tornado.

The forum was produced as part of the Australian Government’s National Strategy for Disaster Resilience. The presentations were filmed and will be available on the Australian Emergency Management Institute’s Knowledge Hub website.

The Development of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System Rick Bailey, Head of Tsunami Warning and Ocean Services, Bureau of Meteorology.

Ausnami: Be Prepared for the Worst Daniel Jaksa, Section Leader of the Australian Earthquake Alert and Tsunami Warning System, Geoscience Australia, and Dr Yuelong Miao, National Manager Tsunami Warning Services, Bureau of Meteorology.

Bushfires Are Inevitable Alex Batty, Qualified Firefighter, Victorian Country Fire Authority.

Australia’s Response to the Japanese Tsunami Rob McNeil, Assistant Commissioner, Fire and Rescue NSW Tsunami Recovery: Thailand Michael Peach, Disaster Management Standards Branch, Emergency Management Queensland.

The Resilient Community Anna Bligh, former Premier of Queensland.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Summary

T

he SLSA international development program is expanding each year. SLSA is grateful for the support from its volunteer surf lifesavers who give their time and expertise to assist develop foreign countries’ lifesaving, drowning prevention and organisation capacity and capability.

SLSA is a supporter of the federal government’s Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program that enables long-term volunteer placements. Information on the AVID program can be found on their website.

Brunei 2012 Lifesaver of the Year, Chris Jacobson (TAS), will attend Brunei’s Beach Bunch International Conference event from 6–8 December 2013.

China SLSA has been assisting the ShenZhen Surfing Association with lifesaving development including the creation of surf safety education and lifeguard training in ShenZhen. Thank you to Anthony Bradstreet (NSW) for his assistance. Volunteer lifesaver David Guest (TAS) conducted lifeguard training in ShenZhen in November 2013.

Cook Islands SLSA is assisting development of lifesaving in the Cook Islands by supporting the Cook Islands Water Safety and Surf Lifesaving Inc. and through involvement by SLSA photographer Harvie Allison.

Fiji • SLSA continues to assist development of the Water Safety Council of Fiji. There was a recent promotion for a second volunteer to work as an education officer.

• SLSA and the Fiji Surfing Association continue to collaborate on the development of surf lifesaving in Fiji. The second SLSA volunteer in Fiji, Andy Eames (NSW), is currently assisting with a range of SLS programs from Nippers to lifesaving training.

Hong Kong SLSA is liaising with two expat Australians who are starting a Nippers program in Hong Kong. They have also been introduced to the Hong Kong Life Saving Society (HKLSS) in an effort to foster further growth and collaboration.

India • SLSA continues to partner with the Rashtriya Life Saving Society India (RLSSI) in the Australian Sports Commission’s Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) in India. RLSSI and SLSA have been successful in receiving funding for a surf-lifesaving based Beach Festival to be held in Kerala in February 2014. The funding also includes a research project in India that will investigate the contribution of swimming and water-safety education to drowning reduction.

• The Australia–India Council has supported SLSA and RLSSI with a grant for a surf sport coaching and development program. Jim Harrison (VIC) conducted this training program in November 2013.

Indonesia SLSA AVID volunteer, Emma Larssen, will complete her surf lifesaving development assignment in Bali with Balawista in mid-December 2013.

Kenya The Kenya Lifesaving Federation (KLF), in conjunction with SLSA, is seeking the services of an AVID volunteer surf lifesaver to spend six to nine months in Kenya assisting the KLF with surf lifesaving and lifesaving sport development.

Information is available on the SLS website.

Malaysia In June 2013, a grant from the Australia–Malaysia Institute enabled volunteer surf lifesaving sports coach and official, Jeff Mowbray (NSW), to travel to Penang, Malaysia, to conduct surf coach and officials training for 40 lifesavers.

Mauritius SLSA continues to provide ongoing lifesaving assistance and guidance to SLS Mauritius with an emphasis on capacity and capability building.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Jeff Mowbray coaching in Malaysia

International Sister Clubs New Sister Club exchange programs under development include: • Manly LSC (NSW) and Ho Tram in southern Vietnam; and • Merewether SLSC (NSW) and New Norfolk SLSC in the UK.

Volunteer surf lifesaver, Greg Collins (NSW), travelled to Mauritius earlier in 2013 to conduct surf lifeguard and training officer trainer.

Nauru SLSA continues to support the Nauru Surf Club in the development of surf lifesaving in Nauru. In addition, both organisations are providing the Nauru Lifesaving Service for residents and visitors to Nauru including the refugees. SLSA Trainer, Steve Allan (NSW), has been instrumental in ensuring the Nauru lifeguards are delivering a high-quality service.

Philippines Philippines Life Saving and SLSA have been attempting to recruit a surf lifesaving AVID volunteer to assist with developing surf lifesaving training in the Philippines.

Watch the SLS website for more details.

Papau New Guinea (Manus Island) Trevor Radburn, SLSNT, travelled to Papua New Guinea in late July 2013 on a scoping visit to prepare for a possible lifesaving service for the refugees stationed on Manus Island. It is hoped a service will commence in early 2014 using local people trained by SLSA trainers.

Samoa Volunteer David Guest (TAS) completed his assignment in October 2013. The next AVID volunteer for Samoa was being recruited in November 2013.

Sri Lanka • SLSA continues to assist the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka (LSASL) with operational advice.

• SLSA volunteer, Michael Kenny (NSW), was recruited to travel to Sri Lanka in October and November 2013 to train

the Sri Lanka Coast Guard lifeguards to international standards.

• Life Saving Victoria’s Building Future Leaders program visited Sri Lanka in October 2013 and delivered a range of lifesaving training to LSASL volunteers.

Thailand SLSA Trainer, Tom Allen (NSW), was selected to travel to Phuket, Thailand from 20 September to 18 October 2013 for a skills-maintenance and beach-management enhancement project. Tom trained lifeguards at the five main beaches in Phuket.

Vanuatu WA volunteer surf lifesaver, Martin Wilke, recently completed his AVID volunteer assignment in Vanuatu. During his time in Vanuatu, Martin facilitated the formation of the Vanuatu Surf Life Saving Association.

Vietnam • SLSA is currently waiting for approval of the formation of Surf Life Saving Vietnam from PACCOM in the Vietnamese Government.

• SLSA AVID volunteer, Stephanie McGuiness (NSW), completed her assignment on 15 September 2013. The third AVID volunteer for Vietnam will be David Field from Cudgen Headland SLSC who commences in Danang in mid February 2014.

• Manly LSC (NSW) volunteers, Sophie Tyner and Tony Tier, visited Ho Tram in early December 2013 as the start of an ongoing surf lifesaving development exchange program.

If you are interested in volunteering internationally with SLSA check out the SLS website. Look out for updates in Surfline and your state or territory news.

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RESEARCH NEWS Effective decisions are made using evidence-based research. Since the inception of a formal research department at SLSA in 2010, our team has been working hard to develop the evidence to help us do that — make expert decisions about saving lives. Here’s a taste of the projects the team has been working on.

New Grant to Help Improve Rocky Coast Safety

F

riday 28 June 2013, the Australian Research Council (ARC) announced Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) as the co-beneficiary of an ARC linkage grant.

The grant is a collaborative project between the University of Melbourne, the University of Wollongong and industry partner, SLSA. According to SLSA’s 2013 National Coastal Safety Report, there were 23 drowning deaths (19%) along rockdominated coasts this past year. Most rocky-coast-related drowning deaths this year have occurred during rock fishing activity (17, 14.0%).

According to SLSA’s 2013 National Coastal Safety Report, there were 23 drowning deaths (19%) along rock-dominated coasts this year.

The grant will see the development of the highly innovative project ‘Rocky Coasts: a framework for risk assessment in order to reduce drowning’. Rolling out over a three-year period, the project aims to assist in reducing rocky-coast fatalities through the creation of a wave hazard and risk framework for Australia’s cliffs and rock platforms.

‘Rocky Coasts’ will be an extension of SLSA’s present standing risk management system

for beaches—ABSAMP (Australian Beach Safety and Management Program), which is a comprehensive and standardised risk application for sandy beaches. The new project will see the risk management system extend to cover rocky coasts.

Using analysis via airborne and groundbased laser surveying and wave modelling, the hazard of people being washed into the sea will be quantified.

How users perceive waves on rock platforms will be analysed though

questionnaires to quantify how perception and use correlates to actual amounts of wave inundation.

The integrated risk framework, once developed, will provide a completely new and critically needed understanding of hazards on rocky shores and will allow SLSA, emergency services, all levels of government and other stakeholders to put in place appropriate evidence-based measures to reduce the risk of drownings around coastal rock platforms.

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SLS LIFESAVING COMMITTEES Lifesaving Directors Chair

Mark Fife

QLD

Peter Lucas

NSW

John Restuccia

VIC

Darren McLeod

TAS

Christopher Jacobson

SA

Bruce Hosking

WA

Mark Hills

NT

Alan Cross

Dr Natalie Hood—National Honorary Medical Advisor Henry Scruton—National Honorary Power Craft Advisor Marcia Fife—National Honorary Marine Stingers Advisor Chris Stevens—National Honorary Communications Advisor Lifesaving Managers Chair

Anthony Bradstreet

QLD

George Hill

NSW

Andy Kent

VIC

Greg Scott

TAS

Tony van den Enden

SA

Shane Daw

WA

Chris Peck

NT

Tony Snelling

Committees correct as at 6 December 2013.

Get involved in the decision- making process!

Do you want to influence the decisionmaking process? Do you want to make a change to national policy?

Think you have a better system of administration? Want a topical lifesaving issue discussed?

There are many ways members can contribute to the national agenda.

• Y our State Director (or Branch Director) of Lifesaving or Education may advocate for

you at scheduled meetings and conferences.

• You can also write to your respective director and copy in your state manager along with a ‘cc’ to SLSA. • Fill out improvement requests for education resources.

We strongly encourage you to write to your next highest authority and ask for the topic to be placed on the agenda.

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2012-13 NATIONAL DROWNING SNAPSHOT

OVERALL 121 coastal drowning deaths; greater than the nine-year average of 95.

0.53 coastal drowning death rate per 100,000 pop; greater than the nine-year average rate of 0.44 per 100,000 pop.

DEMOGRAPHICS 105 (87%) were males.

40 (33%) were aged between 55-69 years.

Individuals aged between 65-69 had the highest drowning rate of 1.37 per 100,000 population.

4 4 (36%) were known to be of a foreign ethnicity.

9 (7%) were international visitors.

TIME 30 (25%) occurred between 2–5pm.

77 (64%) occurred outside of the summer months.

ACTIVITY 30 (25%) were swimming and/or wading.

18 (15%) were boating.

17 (14%) were rock fishing.

14 (12%) were using watercraft.

CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS 18 (15%) were attributed to rip currents.

24 (20%) were attributed to a medical condition or injury.

7 (6%) were attributed to alcohol and/or drug toxicity.

LOCATION 64 (53%) occurred at a beach.

34 (28%) of individuals lived more than 50 km from the drowning location.

56 (46%) of individuals drowned less than 1 km from the nearest lifesaving service.

STATE AND TERRITORY States where there has been a decrease in coastal drowning rates include New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory.

States where there has been an increase in coastal drowning rates include Victoria and Western Australia.