By Byron Jonas
Australia was the country where Voluntary Surf Life Saving was born in the year 1906. Subsequently, it has spread to other parts of the world such as Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and America.
Today, surf lifesaving comprises not only life guarding activities, but it has also become a competitive sport. Lifesavers provide lifeguard services to the beach goers on weekends and school holidays as well as public holidays, on beaches throughout the world. They patrol areas on the beach and offer backup.
Paid lifeguards are usually employed by Local Government and are employed year round to patrol beaches, pools and lakes. They provide rescue services, advice and first aid to the public in aquatic venues. This service is vital and much appreciated by the public.
People who give their time freely for the purposes of saving lives are called volunteers. A patrol captain will supervise these volunteers and administer a roster for the volunteers. He or she will also coordinate and monitor the rescue missions.
Training to become a volunteer lifeguard is extensive and one cannot be a lifeguard without training and certification. The various life saving clubs offer training and certificates. The Bronze Medallion is mandatory and is also known as a Certificate II in public safety and aquatic rescue. This extensive course covers all aspects of life guarding work and includes: Patrolling in a power craft, occupational health and safety, different terrains of beaches, wave patterns, currents, resuscitation, first aid, communication, radio communication, different rescue methods and other aspects of rescue work. Once the volunteer has completed and passed the course, they are able to become a lifeguard.
Due to the nature of terrain and type of rescuing required, the lifeguards will need certain equipment and apparatus in order to protect and save lives. This would comprise of oxygen tanks, rescue boards, all terrain jeeps, wave runners and jet skis. All of these are needed to ensure a safe bathing environment for the public.
This selfless task of Voluntary Surf Life Saving has provided much needed safety for bathers on the beach and saved many a life. As a reward, a lifesaver can participate in competitions and enjoy other rewards of selflessness.
Today, surf lifesaving comprises not only life guarding activities, but it has also become a competitive sport. Lifesavers provide lifeguard services to the beach goers on weekends and school holidays as well as public holidays, on beaches throughout the world. They patrol areas on the beach and offer backup.
Paid lifeguards are usually employed by Local Government and are employed year round to patrol beaches, pools and lakes. They provide rescue services, advice and first aid to the public in aquatic venues. This service is vital and much appreciated by the public.
People who give their time freely for the purposes of saving lives are called volunteers. A patrol captain will supervise these volunteers and administer a roster for the volunteers. He or she will also coordinate and monitor the rescue missions.
Training to become a volunteer lifeguard is extensive and one cannot be a lifeguard without training and certification. The various life saving clubs offer training and certificates. The Bronze Medallion is mandatory and is also known as a Certificate II in public safety and aquatic rescue. This extensive course covers all aspects of life guarding work and includes: Patrolling in a power craft, occupational health and safety, different terrains of beaches, wave patterns, currents, resuscitation, first aid, communication, radio communication, different rescue methods and other aspects of rescue work. Once the volunteer has completed and passed the course, they are able to become a lifeguard.
Due to the nature of terrain and type of rescuing required, the lifeguards will need certain equipment and apparatus in order to protect and save lives. This would comprise of oxygen tanks, rescue boards, all terrain jeeps, wave runners and jet skis. All of these are needed to ensure a safe bathing environment for the public.
This selfless task of Voluntary Surf Life Saving has provided much needed safety for bathers on the beach and saved many a life. As a reward, a lifesaver can participate in competitions and enjoy other rewards of selflessness.
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