Course Overview
The Senior Lifeguard Award - Patrol Captain provides information on what you need to know and be able to do as a patrol captain. The qualification also covers theory on leadership topics which are then put into practice during scenarios. This prepares Surf Lifeguards for the leadership role that is essential to being a successful patrol captain. The Senior Lifeguard Award - Patrol Captain is a prerequisite for the National Lifeguard School, the final step for members to obtain the Advanced Lifeguard Award.
Course Information
Prerequisites:
- Current member of a SLS club
- 16 years of age on the day training commences
- Surf Lifeguard Award (refreshed)
- Surf First Aid (refreshed)
- Radio Communication Module or Marine VHF Radio Operations Certificate
- Min 2 full season's patrolling experience
Duration: 1 day
Delivered by: Regional facilitators
Online Pre-learning: The self-directed Patrol Captain online pre-learning must be completed prior to attending the training session. This online course consist of 7 modules:
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Team Leadership
- Building Rapport
- Motivate Others
- NSOPs/ CSOPs & Risk
- Patrol Management
- Summary
This can be accessed via the member portal here: https://webportal.surflifesaving.org.nz/ and you can log in by following these steps: watch here. Once logged in, you can self-enrol by clicking on “Training Library”, then into the “Lifesaving – Surf Lifeguard” Course Category, and click on the ‘Patrol Captain (PC) Pre-learning’ “Enrol” button.
Who should complete it: Anyone interested in becoming a patrol captain
Candidate requirements: Fully participate in the course and complete the workbook
Topics covered
- The roles and responsibilities of a Patrol Captain - Building Rapport
- National and Club Standard Operating Procedures
- Risk and Incident Management
- Patrol Management
- Team Leadership; Building Rapport and Motivating Others
Outcomes
At the completion of the qualification candidates will be able to:
- Identify the roles and responsibilities of a Patrol Captain
- Identify components of NSOPs/CSOPs and explain its significance
- Set up, maintain and close down a patrolled area
- Explain the purpose of the Patrol Captain in a leadership role and the leadership styles they apply
- Apply team leadership to a Patrol Captain role
- Identify, diagnose and use the strengths/weaknesses of members of a given team on patrol
- Complete tasks related to being a Patrol Captain
- Build trust with team
- Build rapport with team
- Deal with a difficult personality/ team member
- Motivate a team or members of a team
- Apply the seven steps of risk management (including identifying and assessing risk and applying preventative actions)
- Identify, assess and respond to an incident (including operation and post incident activities)
- Supervise a response to a minor and major incident
To begin training for this qualification contact your club or local Club Development Officer.
Online Resources
- Patrol Captain Candidate Workbook (updated September 2020)
- Patrol Captain Resource (updated September 2020)
If you are interested in becoming an accredited facilitator in this course please click here.