Aim: To develop the level of knowledge, judgement, technique and physical ability required to carry out safe water rescues.

• Minimum Age: 16 years.
• Prerequisite: Nil

[I] Theory

1. Answer questions requiring an understanding of -

• Safe water practices.
• Survival in the water.
• Self preservation.
• Recognising an emergency.
• Assessment before and during a rescue.
• Priorities for rescue.
• Acceptance of responsibility.
• Use of bystanders.
• Emergency care.
• Emergency services available.

[E] Resuscitation

2. Complete the test for Resuscitation Award.

Water Test

[I] Reach
3. A non-swimmer is in difficulty 2 metres from safety. Demonstrate a reach rescue using an aid specified by the assessor. Secure the person at a point of safety.

[I] Throw – Unweighted Rope
4. A person is in difficulty 10 metres from safety Perform a throwing rescue using an un-weighted rope. Secure the person at a point of safety. A time limit of 30 seconds will apply from the start until the person grasps the rope.

[I] Timed Tow
5. An unconscious, breathing person is 50 metres from safety.
• Enter the water, swim a 50 metre approach and tow the person 50 metres to safety.
   The candidate will commence the rescue wearing swimwear, trousers and long sleeved shirt, any of which may be discarded as desired. The time for this test should not exceed 3 minutes and 15 seconds from the starting signal until the completion of the tow.

[I] Swim
6. Dressed in swimwear, swim continuously 400 metres –
• 100 metres crawl
• 100 metres on the back
• 100 metres on the side
• 100 metres on the front.
The total time for the swim should not exceed 13 minutes.

[I] Survival Skills
7. Dressed in swimwear, trousers and long sleeved shirt –
• Float on one spot using hand sculling movement for 1 minute and then tread water for 1 minute.
• Don a PFD and swim 50 metres
• Demonstrate the HELP position and
• Climb out wearing the PFD.

[I] Accompanied Rescue
8. A weak swimmer is in difficulty 12 metres from safety -
• With a flotation aid, enter the water as for unknown conditions
• Wade 5 – 8 metres
• Throw the aid to the person
• Instruct the person on how to use the aid
• Accompany the person to safety and
• Instruct the person on how to leave the water.

[I] Tow
9. A non-swimmer is in difficulty in deep water 25 metres from safety –
• Swim to the person, demonstrating appropriate precautions
• While returning to safety using an appropriate contact tow, demonstrate a method of coping with a struggling person
• Land the person using a suitable method
• The assessor will decide what aid are available.

[E] Spinal Injury
10. Apply the vice grip for the immobilisation of a spinal injury to the neck and then wade with the casualty for 5 metres. Summon assistance.

[I] Defensive and Escape Techniques
11. Dressed in swimwear, trousers and long sleeved shirt, perform in deep water two of the following selected by the assessor –
• A leg block
• A block using an aid
• A reverse
• An escape from a grasp from the front
• An escape from a grasp from the rear.

[E] Search and Rescue
12. Demonstrate a search pattern in approximately 2 metres of water, submerging head first or feet first as specified by the Examiner.
• Recover an object from the bottom.
• Substitute the object for a person simulating unconsciousness and tow 10 metres to shallow water or to safety.
• Assess for respiratory failure and demonstrate EAR for 1 minute.
• Assume that recovery has occurred, land the person and then place in the lateral position.

[E] Initiative
13. Demonstrate initiative in effecting a rescue of two people who are in difficulty up to 15 metres from safety and whose conditions are unrevealed.
The examiner will ensure that up to 5 rescue aids are available. The Examiner will brief the subjects on the roles to be simulated from the following –
• Non-swimmer
• Weak swimmer
• Injured swimmer
• Person with a suspected spine injury in shallow water
• Unconscious person
On completion of this test, the candidate will explain the reasons for action taken.

Explanatory Note
A. The Examiner must be satisfied that the candidate is capable of rescuing an adult in similar circumstances to those being tested. To assist with assessment, the Examiner may change a candidate’s partner.
B. A candidate who holds a current Resuscitation Award within the previous 6 months may receive automatic credit for test item 2.
C. Test items 1, 3 to 9 and 11 inclusive are instructor assessed items, (those which the instructor certifies the candidate has completed.)
D. The Examiner must examine test items 2, 10, 12 and 13 plus two others selected from test items 8, 9 and 11.
E. The Examiner is permitted to examine as many test items as is considered necessary to assess the ability of a candidate.
F. The components of test items 7, 8, 9 and 12 must be performed in the sequence listed for each test item.
G. To re qualify for the “LIFEGUARD” award all candidates must perform items 2, 10, 12 and 13 and a minimum of one other test to the satisfaction of the Examiner.

Currency of Awards
     The currency period for this personal performance award is 12 months. Studies of skill and knowledge-retention of trained people has shown that performance declines significantly if regular practice is not undertaken. It is important to note that an award is only an indication of the competence of a person on the date of attainment of the award. Regular training is required to ensure that an adequate standard is maintained. Employers using awards as a standard of lifesaving ability must ensure that employees are capable of performing to the standard whenever they are on duty.