The Surf Lifeguard Award certifies that the holder has the basic skills and knowledge to be a Surf Lifeguard. This is the entry-level qualification to be a patrolling member. The Surf Lifeguard Award is the first step on the Surf Life Saving New Zealand lifeguard pathway.
Pre-requisites: 14 years of age or above, current member of a surf life saving club
Duration: Variable depending on competence and instruction structure, 2-8 weeks
Delivered by: Surf Life Saving Club instructors, examined by local examiners
Who should complete it: Anyone interested in getting started as a Surf Lifeguard
Candidate requirements: Complete all tests, practical tasks and theory successfully
Exam components
- 400m pool swim under 9 minutes
- Run-Swim-Run in the surf
- Tube rescue in the pool and surf
- First Aid and CPR
- Communication signals
- Radio communication
- Theory questions
- Rescue tows and releases
Topics covered
- Introduction and risk management
- The physical environment
- CPR
- First Aid
- Roles and responsibilities
- Surf Lifeguard skills and knowledge
- Communication
Outcomes
At the completion of the qualification candidates will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of health and safety issues relevant to Surf Life Saving members.
- Describe the features of the surf environment.
- Identify and describe the roles and responsibilities of a Surf Lifeguard.
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective communication.
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective scanning techniques and victim identification.
- Perform retrieval of underwater objects.
- Perform releases and tows in an aquatic environment.
- Demonstrate Surf Life Saving signal communication and demonstrate knowledge of graphic communication.
- Communicate using a two-way radio.
- Perform a tube rescue.
- Provide resuscitation (no unit standards).
- Provide first aid (no unit standards).