Course Overview
The Advanced Lifeguard Award (ALA) is gained by completing all of the prerequisites and successfully completing a National Lifeguard School (NLS). The NLS combines dynamic theory sessions with a number of intensive practical and scenario based activities. Candidates will be extended both physically and mentally and a good level of fitness is required.
Course Information
Prerequisites:
- 18 years of age
- Current First Aid Level 1 & 2 (Refreshed)
- Senior Lifeguard Award - Patrol Captain
- Senior Lifeguard Award - IRB Driver (Refreshed + Minimum 20 hours logged)
- Marine VHF Radio Operators Certificate
- Current member of a SLS club
- Surf Lifeguard Award (refreshed)
- Swim 800 metres sub 14 minutes
- Run 3km in under 20 minutes
- Club Endorsement to attend
- Min 3 years patrolling experience
- Recommended: Rock Training & Rescue Module
Duration: NLS 2 ½ days
Delivered by: SLSNZ appointed instructors
Who should complete it: Anyone interested in gaining the highest Surf Lifeguard qualification
Candidate requirements:
- Obtain all NLS prerequisites
- Complete the NLS pre-learning workbook
- Fully participate and successfully complete the NLS
Topics Covered
- SLSNZ structure and purpose
- Leadership and team work
- Advanced first aid/patient treatment and care
- Crisis management and scene management
- Rock navigation
- Search and rescue
- Patrol Scenarios
- Advanced IRB Skills
- Professionalism & Image
- Stages of Drowning and Scanning
Outcomes
At the completion of the qualification candidates will be able to:
- Explain the emotional and physiological response to a crisis
- Demonstrate water entry and exit in a rocky surf environment
- Identify stages of drowning
- Identify the roles and responsibilities of an Advanced Lifeguard
- Conduct a search and rescue operation and identify SLSNZ's role in externally controlled search
and rescue operations
National Lifeguard School 2020/2021
- Date: 4, 5 & 6 December 2020
- Venue: Waihi Beach, Coromandel
- Applications Open: 1 September 2020
- Applications Close: 30 September 2020
800m Swim Time Form - Click here to download.
Further Information
Belinda Slement, Education Development Lead
027 233 4014 | belinda.slement@surflifesaving.org.nz
The role of an Advanced Lifeguard
An Advanced Lifeguard should be able to demonstrate leadership, experience and capability, specifically:
- Cope with a variety of complex situations
- Demonstrate good communication and leadership skills
- Experience working with and knowledge of stakeholders and other external agencies
- Demonstrate physical competencies
- Slot in at any beach as a Patrol Captain
- Demonstrate or utilise those with advanced skills appropriately
- Demonstrate high levels of fitness
- Draw on experience and expertise
Objective
- To clearly outline the process and criteria to be used by SLSNZ in selecting instructors and mentors for National Lifeguard School (NLS).
- To outline a clear and transparent selection process for members.
Selection Criteria
To be eligible for section as an head instructor, instructor or mentor you must meet the following pre-requisites:
Pre requistes - Instructor
- Current member of a SLS club
- Min 20 years of age
- Surf Lifeguard Award (refreshed)
- Senior Lifeguard Award - IRB Driver (Refreshed)
- First Aid Level 1 & 2 (current)
- Advanced Lifeguard Award
- Demonstrated Experience in instructing or facilitating training
- Have a genuine interest in developing our senior lifeguards.
- Head Instructor: All of the above plus minimum of 2 seasons as a instructor.
Pre requistes - Mentor
- Current member of a SLS club
- Min 18 years of age
- Surf Lifeguard Award (refreshed)
- Senior Lifeguard Award - IRB Driver (Refreshed)
- First Aid Level 1 & 2 (current)
- Advanced Lifeguard Award
- Have a passion for enabling people to reach their potential
- Experience in mentoring
General information
Mentors
- 4 mentors will be selected for the school. As a mentor, you may be developed further towards facilitating as an instructor for future years.
- A mentor's key role is to pass on their knowledge and guide guards through their experiences. Mentors will be heavily involved, being the first port-of-call for candidates if they are having any issues, supporting instructors during activities, being the mentor for a designated group of candidates for the duration of the school and helping manage the health and safety of all involved during all activities.
- Mentors will be expected to participate in all activities so a high level of swimming and running fitness is required.
Instructors
- 6 instructors will be selected for a minimum 3 season term. The 3 season term takes effect for any new instructors selected for the 2020/2021 season.
- Instructors must mentors at least one school before instructing. SLSNZ may on a case by case basis, consider applications from experienced instructors/facilitators who have not filled the mentor role in the past.
Section process
- All interested instructors and mentors to complete the application form and submit this by 31 August 2020
- SLSNZ checks relevant eligibility for selection and collates all applications.
- SLSNZ selects Instructors and mentors for the season. Selections are sent to National Lifesaving Committee for consultation and review.
- National Lifesaving Committee with relevant SLSNZ staff selects Head Instructor.
- Select Instructors and Mentors then appointed
Further Information
Belinda Slement, Education Development Lead
027 233 4014 | belinda.slement@surflifesaving.org.nz