Introduction
The requirements in this circular detail the minimum state and national requirements for the SLS 2025/26 season as developed in consultation with the state and national Lifesaving and Education Committees.
The national Lifesaving Committee previously approved a three-year cycle for skills maintenance for both the Surf Rescue Certificate and Bronze Medallion. This season, the Skills Maintenance practical will focus on the introduction of Lifesaving CPR.
Theory Component
Members are required to complete the skills maintenance theory component online, as assessment marking and record keeping is automated and reduces the burden placed upon SLS trainers and assessors. If a member is unable to complete this component online, they should speak with their club training officer.
IRB Crew and Silver Medallion IRB Driver award members must complete the following:
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- Watch the video updates outlining the technique changes to IRB Crew and Silver Medallion IRB Drivers
- A short Powercraft Safety module
RWC Operator award members must complete the following:
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- A short Powercraft Safety module
Practical Component
Powercraft award holders will need to demonstrate skills in a ‘one off’ skills maintenance check this season due to changes to the award delivery. All members must demonstrate proficiency in the associated pre-requisite awards as follows:
IRB Crew
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- Proficient Bronze Medallion
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Silver Medallion IRB Driver
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- Proficient Bronze Medallion
- Proficient IRB Crew
- Hold a current state/territory boat license (where applicable)
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RWC Operator
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- Proficient Bronze Medallion
- Hold a current state/territory boat/PWC license (where applicable)
- Additional state/territory pre-requisites as required.
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All IRB operators are encouraged to review the new 9th Edition IRB Manual to gain a better understanding of new content and techniques.
All RWC operators are encouraged to review the new 1st Edition RWC Manual to gain a better understanding of new content and techniques.
For the 2025/26 season, all IRB Crew skills maintenance MUST be conducted by an IRB Trainer, Assessor or Facilitator (i.e. no Endorsed Delegates).
Silver Medallion Driver & RWC Operator skills maintenance must also be conducted by an Assessor or Facilitator as per normal.
IRB Crew (IRBC)
Demonstrate effective and safe crewing practice and ability including:
Silver Medallion IRB Driver (SMIRBD)
Demonstrate the ability to apply safe driving practice including but not limited to:
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- 1 o’clock wave negotiation
- Parallel running
- Awareness of Powercraft Code of Conduct.
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Rescue Watercraft Operator (RWCO)
Demonstrate the ability to apply safe driving practice including but not limited to:
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- Continued application of the SLSA Powercraft Code of Conduct
- Competence in safe RWC Operator techniques including:
- Ability to carry out an assisted launch from the beach
- Parallel running
- Figures of eight
- Response to signals
- Negotiation of surf as required
- Demonstrate ability to conduct a victim rescue
- Demonstrate the ability to reboard the craft from deep water
- Competence in pre- and post-operation procedures
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Side-by-Side Vehicle (SSV)
It is not a national requirement to undertake an annual SSV (ATV) proficiency. Instead, a member’s driving license must be checked each year for currency. Each SLS state/territory centre can manage this process, and this information can be recorded in SurfGuard.
A member who loses their driver’s license (whether through cancellation or suspension) must not be driving the SSV. Provisional drivers are to display plates as required by their state legislative body.
Members must participate in an SSV Operator Induction for each new SSV make and model that they have not driven before. The SLSA SSV Operator Induction Guide is available in the SLS Members Area Document Library.
Reference Document
