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The following are services provided by SLSQ to assist in our vision of ‘zero preventable deaths on Queensland beaches’. If you are interested in taking part in any of these courses, let the Chief Instructor Olivier Wilson know and he will let you know where and when the next courses are being held.
Rescue Water Craft – Waverunner
Lifeguards, particularly in America and Hawaii have revolutionised the ability of the recreational Waverunner to now be one of the most successful rescue aids available. Although the Rescue Water Craft (RWC) cannot cater for the quantity of patients that the IRB can, it offers an operational capacity that makes it an ideal vehicle for use by lifeguard and specialist services.
The introduction of the RWC into the Life Saving Support Service during the 1999/2000 season has proven to be extremely successful. While SLSQ Lifeguards have been using RWC's for several years, the introduction of this craft marked a significant step in our voluntary patrols. The RWC's have proven to be one of the most valuable pieces of rescue equipment used on our beaches. With over 800 rescues performed last season by eight services, there has been positive feedback received by both Surf Life Saving members and Local Governments on the use of the rescue equipment.
The current RWC model being utilised by Surf Life Saving Queensland is the Yamaha XL700 Waverunner.
Jet Rescue Boat
The Jet Rescue Boat service has been operating for 32 years. Surf Life Saving Queensland provides four (4) Jet Rescue Boat services on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. They are primarily used as a surveillance vessel. The JRB's also provide 24-hour callout and search and rescue service.
Operations
The boats perform approximately 650 hours of patrol per year per vessel. The development of the aluminium craft powered by turbo charged diesel engines has meant a significant advancement in white water rescue capabilities for Queensland aquatic safety in a period of rapid local and tourism population expansion on our coastline.
Having an overall length of 6.4 metres, the craft is slightly longer than its predecessors but offers greater speed and manoeuvrability. Better economy obtained from the diesel engine gives the craft a search and rescue duration of up to ten hours. Operational areas include high seas, shallow waters and river mouths where a jet system is unmatched. The absence of underwater appendages inherent with water jets allows the boat to operate close to shore and in shallow waters. The craft is capable of transporting nine people and has the ability to perform long distance surveillance and rescue patrol work in the white water aquatic environment.
Qualifications
Skippers of the Boats hold an SLSA JRB Skippers Certificate. For this drivers must have:
- · Minimum of 2 years as a JRB Driver (not including time in training) or at the unanimous approval of the JRB Executive Committee prior to the 2 year minimum period as a Driver is completed
- · VHF Marine Radio Operators Licence
- · Open Drivers Licence preferable
- Times of Service
Surf Life Saving Queensland Jet Rescue Boats are on a 24 Hour call out service with the boats providing in-water supervision on weekends and school/public holidays throughout the year.
Communication and Surveillance (Surf Com)
Surf Life Saving Queensland provides Radio Communication Centres on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, which provide a vital link to all lifesaving services, Support Services, and other Emergency Services.
The Communication Centres liaise, control and coordinate all communications in the Surf Life Saving radio network, and also consist of -
- · Multiple radio networks;
- · Surf safety camera surveillance;
Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking system
- · Incident reporting systems
- Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter – Lifesaver 5
Since 1976, Surf Life Saving Queensland has operated, with the support of Westpac, a Helicopter Rescue Service in South East Queensland coastal areas.
The Helicopter Service is only one part of the Life Saving Support Services Division of SLSQ and concentrates on the white water aquatic environment (coastline) by providing a surveillance and rescue service to support our lifesavers on the beaches and assist members of the public who may get into difficulty. The Helicopter Service also supports other Emergency Services, such as Queensland Police, Queensland Ambulance Services, Coast Guard, etc.
Surf Life Saving Queensland sees the role of the Helicopter Rescue Service as:
Primary Roles:
- · Surf rescue;
- · Surf and beach patrols;
- · Search and rescue over water;
- · Search and rescue over land
- · Police assistance;
- · Counter Disaster operations;
- · Other Government agencies;
- · Aerial Ambulance;
- · Assistance to
- Crewpersons
All crew are required to complete the Surf Life Saving Australia Helicopter Rescue Crew Certificate prior to becoming an operational member of the service. Each six months the crew are required to undertake a proficiency and re-accreditation process. Training and re-accreditation includes theory and practical examinations in the following:
- · Fitness
- · Surf Rescue Techniques
- · Flotation/survival tests
- · Advanced first aid
- · Advanced resuscitation
- · Communications
- · Aircraft operations
- · Aircraft safety
- · Emergency procedures
- · Winching/rappelling/wire ladder
- · Underwater Escape Training
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