Over many years, lifeguards and lifesaving clubs have provided a water safety service at beaches as search and rescue patrols and safety cover for aquatic events. Awareness of the immediate environment, the constantly changing factors that turn safe to dangerous are all part of the dynamic management of Lifeguard activity.
In response to a demand for a higher standard for our own event water safety management to support the dramatic increase in open water swimming and paddling competitions we have introduced an entirely new qualification that now sets the industry standard. Following established search and rescue practice this is based on a team management function and all the elements of planning and delivering an event safety programme including the working interface protocols for the emergency services.
This award is currently only available for SLSGB events and requires considerable prior learning and a fully competent and experienced team. It enables a safe, working environment for aquatic events, based on legislation, guidance and good practice. It is intended that a fully qualified Water Event Safety Manager will be able to deliver a fit for purpose, best practice event safety management service of the highest quality possible. The journey to full qualification is a three stage process of personal development constantly assessed by tutors and mentors to the point when the candidate has shown the maturity, judgement and skill to manage the largest events.
Although the award is not available to non affiliated organisations, we run seminars for outside organisations. These are tailored to individual needs with a core content as below;-
- The legal obligation for ‘professional volunteers’ to deliver an event water safety service
- An understanding of the fundamentals of how to establish and manage the event water safety team.
- The basic principles of good practice set by the Health and Safety Executive to evaluate and record risk in an aquatic environment.
- How to help safeguard and protect children and vulnerable adults in an aquatic environment
- The importance of having a safe and competent team with good communication.
- The physical effects on immersion and the drowning process in open water
- The resources required during an incident, and the “size up” mnemonics that can assist managers when dealing with an emergency.
- The variable climatic conditions faced and the mitigation strategies to overcome climatic/weather threats whilst in operations
- The legislation that encompasses Search and Rescue
To find out more Contact our National Water Safety Manager Adrian Mayhew – amayhew@slslgb.org.uk