Each year returning members participate in skills maintenance events to refresh their knowledge and skills for patrol.
These events also introduce returning members to any new patrol equipment or updates to SLS policies and procedures.
This page provides information for returning members plus links to all the Member Skills Maintenance (aka ‘Proficiency’) resources available, including the latest SLSA and SLSNSW Skills Maintenance Circulars.
It also includes information to support the delivery of SLS club skills maintenance activities.
Skill Maintenance Resources
- SLSA Skills Maintenance Information Booklet
- SLSA Skills Maintenance Circular 65 for 2023/24 (for national proficiency requirements)
- SLS Education Pathways webpage (collates award prerequisites for proficiency in NSW)
- Latest SLSNSW Pre-Season Information Pack
- SLSA Public Safety Aquatic Rescue Training Manual 35th Edition (PSAR35) (Apple App Store) (Google Play Store)
Skills Maintenance Theory Component
The online theory component may cover:
- Learnings from recent incidents and rescues performed around Australia
- The release of new lifesaving patrol and/or training equipment
- Updates to the Australian Resuscitation Guidelines
- Updates within the aquatic rescue and emergency care industries
- Updates to national and international SLS organisation requirements
- Updates to SLS WHS requirements
If you require an offline version of the theory component, please contact your Branch Director of Education.
How to Access Skills Maintenance Online Courses
Skills Maintence Practical Component
To complete the practical skills maintenance components (outlined in the Skills Maintenance Circulars), you will need to enrol into a Skills Maintenance Training Event at a surf lifesaving club.
- How can I search for and enrol into a practical skills maintenance sessions available at my SLSC?
- What if a practical skills maintenance session is not available at my SLSC? – Skip ahead to the 2 min mark
- What if a practical skills maintenance session is not available at my SLSC when I’m available? – Skip ahead to the 3 min mark
Note:
Some surf lifesaving clubs may use alternative methods for enrolling into skills maintenance events.
Rejoining a SLSC after an extended period
As you know, Surf Life Saving is Australia’s peak water safety and rescue organisation.
If you are non-proficient in any award for a period of time (more than one season), then you are required to complete skills maintenance requirements as identified through a training gap analysis to determine what changes have occurred in the award since you were last proficient.
If the gap analysis determines that there is a gap in skill and/or knowledge, you will be required to undertake some training and assessment in the gap(s) identified.
For example, you may have obtained a Bronze Medallion when the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was not taught in the Bronze Medallion. Or you may have completed your Advanced Resuscitation Techniques award before OP Airways, Pulse Oximeters or Wound trainers were introduced to the award.
Refer to the latest SLSA Skills Maintenance Information Booklet for more information.
Some Thing To Note
- Each component of skills maintenance only needs to be demonstrated once in any one season even if it appears in multiple SLS awards.
- SLSNSW recommends members complete their Skills Maintenance activities by the end of November to assist volunteers administering skills maintenance at your club.
- Please allow up to 4 weeks to have your award’s proficiency date extended from the time you complete all skills maintenance requirements for that award.
- Skills maintenance does not renew any units of competency.
- Reasonable adjustments cannot be made if a member cannot perform resuscitation on an adult on the floor or has an injury that prevents them from performing lifesaving and rescue functions.
- Some awards also require proficiency in their prerequisite awards to remain current (e.g., The Silver Medallion IRB Driver award proficiency requires drivers to also be proficient in the IRB Crewperson Certificate and Bronze Medallion, the RWC Operator Certificate award proficiency requires drivers to also be proficient in its SLSNSW prerequisites)
Want To Help Deliver Skills Maintenance Events?
Speak with your Club Chief Training Officer about becoming an Endorsed Delegate this season.
It’s a great way to meet people and support your club’s education team while passing on your valuable knowledge and skills to other members.
Want To Know More?
Visit https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/skills-maintenance-proficiency/
