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.
Advanced Resuscitation Techniques and Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID] award members must also complete the following:
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- Watch a video update outlining changes to ART delivery for Lifesaving CPR with particular emphasis on leadership and team management
Practical Component
The information below outlines the practical requirements of each SLSA award for skills maintenance. Where possible, scenarios should be used to combine components; for example, a scenario combining a tube rescue with signals. Training resources that support SLSA awards are in the SLS Document Library accessed via the SLS Hub. Members are encouraged to review these prior to commencing the patrolling season.
SLSA awards involving resuscitation are to be assessed annually. Once proficiency is achieved, resuscitation in other SLSA award skills maintenance is not required to be performed again. Please note that completion of the SLS skills maintenance for any award in the SLSA emergency care pathway is not sufficient to result in the renewal of the HLTAID unit of competency that aligns with the member’s award. For example, the skills maintenance for the SLSA Resuscitation award is not sufficient to result in the renewal of a member’s HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation or HLTAID015 Provide advanced resuscitation and oxygen therapy units of competency. Members should contact their SLS state/territory centre for advice on renewing their units of competency.
Resucitation
For Season 2025/26, Lifesaving CPR will be introduced and demonstrated.
The face-to-face training for the new Lifesaving CPR techniques will fulfil the member’s requirements for their annual Resuscitation skills update. No further tasks are required.
Advance Resucitation Techniques
For Season 2025/26, Lifesaving CPR will be introduced and demonstrated.
The below requirements apply to the Advanced Resuscitation Techniques and Advanced Resuscitation Techniques [AID] awards:
- Resuscitation (CPR)
See Bronze Medallion and SRC Skills Maintenance Resuscitation (CPR) component above for requirements.
A member is proficient in this component of the ART Skills Maintenance if they have completed the relevant BM and SRC Skills Maintenance.
2. Advanced Resuscitation Team
CPR scenario including primary assessment (DRSABCD) – to include resuscitation methods using a resuscitation mask or face shield, AED, oropharyngeal airways and oxygen supplement (oxygen cylinder connected to bag-valve-mask resuscitator on an unconscious patient).
3. Bag-valve-mask resuscitator
Correct setup, check and use of bag valve mask resuscitator
# The deadline for the completion of the upgrade from Advanced Resuscitation Techniques (ART [AID]) - HLTAID007 to Advanced Resuscitation Techniques (ART) – HLTAID015 has been extended from July 2024 to July 2026 (unless a new training package is released prior to this date and HLTAID015 is superseded).
Reference Document
