Australian Lifeguard Magazine - Issue 5 by Matthew Myers

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ISSUE 5 summer 2011

Australian Lifeguard Magazine Feature: A sport fit for lifeguards Feature: Sunlight, camera, action – it’s Bondi to the Rescue THE HOFF NO MATCH FOR COAST'S SILVER FOX Feature: Navigating the Great Ocean Road via BeachSafe New CPR Guidelines New Zealand Advanced Lifeguard School

The fittest lifeguards in Australia

POSTER INSIDE!

Your challenge is to help distribute the message

contents Editorial

Feedback

New Zealand: National Lifeguard School

A sport fit for lifeguards

Bragging Rights: National Lifeguard Championships 09 Feature: Sunlight, camera, action – it’s Bondi to the Rescue 10 Feature: The Hoff no match for Coast’s Silver Fox

Equipped for the job

Still working together: Training and information sharing to benefit Shire beachgoers

Brand new: SLS asks ‘Are you Australian for life?’ 16 Blast from the past

Beach Safety Pull out Poster

A camp experience you’ll never forget

Feature: Victoria: A BeachSafe trip up the Great Ocean Road 12 Old Salty Dog

Lake Macquarie looking to square up Lifeguard Challenge

G-Land on my 6’6

New CPR Guidelines come into affect

Rip Currents – On Beach Education the focus for summer

Timely Trial to Save Beachgoers

Ford thinker: SLSA has a new president

From lifeguarding to paramedics

New Australian Standards

Science of the surf – The king of tides

Lifeguard snippets

Calendar

Australian Lifeguard Magazine Issue 5, SUMMER 2010/11 Publisher Surf Life Saving Australia Locked Bag 1010, Rosebery NSW 2018 (02) 9215 8000 Editor Andre Slade Contributors Cassie Mond, Israel Hyde, Warren Young, Dean Gladstone, Rob Brander, Sarah Lawrence, SLSA, Graham Ford, Bree Corbett, Scott Wood, Adam Weir, Stephanie Marsh, Newcastle City Council, Lake Macquarie City Council, Gold Coast Bulletin Photo credits David Clark, Andre Slade, Cassie Mond, Sarah Lawrence Design Marlin Communications Advertising Andre Slade admin@lifeguards.com.au, (02) 9215 8155 Cover photo TV actor/singer David Hasselhoff pictured at Main Beach, Gold Coast with splice girls, David was in Australia promoting Splice Ice creams over summer. Photo: David Clark

Contribute to the magazine The Australian Lifeguard Magazine welcomes your contributions; in fact we want to hear from you! If you would like to contribute an article, send a letter to the editor or supply a photo (or anything else you can think of) please contact the Editor:

The Editor Australian Lifeguard Magazine Locked Bag 1010, Rosebery, NSW 2018 admin@lifeguards.com.au (02) 9215 8115 Please ensure photos are of a high quality and file size. All care will be taken, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for material submitted, the accuracy of information in the text, illustrations or advertisements contained therein. The contents of Australian Lifeguard Magazine is copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. Articles reflect the personal opinion of the authors and are not necessarily those of the publisher. © Copyright 2011 Surf Life Saving Australia LIFEGUARD is proud to be printed on eco-certified paper from sustainable forests.

Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 3

editorial We made it! – the 2

lifeguard magazine is in your hot little hands and, like the last one, is full of lifeguarding articles and photos from all around Australia. The mix of light-hearted articles and technical information hit the right spot with readers of the last issue so we’ve kept it that way. nd

It was great to get feedback from readers on some of the articles from the last issues, it seems the two feature articles stirred up the most feedback. You can read some of the letters in the feedback section. In this Issue we have three new features, a look at lifeguards in surf sports, we have Deano

from Waverley Council discussing how the hit TV show Bondi Rescue has influenced their lifeguard service, and I took a drive up the Great Ocean Road in Victoria directed by the new Beachsafe iPhone App meeting a whole heap of lifeguards along the way. On a sad note, Surf Life Saving ambassador Stephanie Gilmore, guest editor of the last Issue, was the victim of a callous attack at her home over the Christmas period. Steph is doing ok now, but it will take a few months to get back to full fitness – we wish her all the best and will be cheering her towards her 5th world championship title next season! Our guest editor for the summer Issue is new SLSA President Graham Ford. Finally, there’s still opportunities for contributors for the magazine – like Cassie Mond from Victoria who’ll be contributing stories from Victoria – if you fancy yourself as a bit of a journo, or are just keen to get something in the mag, give me a buzz at admin@lifeguards.com.au. I hope you enjoy this Issue. Andre Slade

feedback Should we really be celebrating rescues on patrol? I read about it all the time, lifeguards celebrating how many rescues they did on patrol, but I don’t think it’s anything to get excited about. Some rescues are unavoidable; over-stretched resources, public who knowingly disobey warnings and unexpected changes in conditions are a few of the factors that may contribute there. However, for the most part if you’ve had to rescue someone then I don’t think you’ve done your job. How did that person get to the stage of needing rescuing without you intervening? Where was the on-beach education and prevention? Being a preventative lifeguard is hard work, you should be more tired mentally from preventative lifeguarding than physically by actually doing rescues. Rethink your daily successes, zero preventable rescues should be the goal every time. For homework, get to know the 4 stages of the drowning chain.

Give the public room to move! When you’re setting the flags, who are you really setting the flags for – you or the public? I’ve seen some pretty narrow flag zones lately for no reason, which makes me wonder whether the lifeguards are just setting them up to make it easier for them. Remember as a lifeguard you’re there to provide a safer and more enjoyable beach experience (see my rant on ‘They’re your customers’ in the last Issue) – we don’t want to be the ‘fun police’. The public don’t like being herded into small flag zones any more than you would, so if you have decent safe zone on the beach make your flags resemble that and give the public room to move. You’ll also find it easier to get people swimming in-between them if they aren’t going to be packed in like sardines. And on another note, if you’re using surf craft buffer flags make sure there’s a decent buffer zone – a couple of metres isn’t really worth putting them up for.

We love feedback! Here’s a selection of emails we received from readers of our Spring Issue. If you’d like to comment on anything lifeguarding email: admin@lifeguards.com.au

Courtney could out swim, out paddle and out smart the guys (Abridged) We have had a long time female lifeguard Courtney Ellis who just finished up this season to have a child. Courtney started with us in December 1994 and in September 2000 she was appointed my 2nd in charge with Lee Burnes (Deputy Beach Coordinator). In 2004 she resigned to take up school teaching and later joined the fire brigade. A very good lifeguard who could out swim, out paddle and outsmart nearly all the guys. She had all their respect as a very good lifeguard and certainly no token female. Mark (Ching) McDougal, Manly Lifeguards

Victorian girls blazing trails (Abridged) I read with interest your article on female lifeguards and their history. Here in Victoria, females were involved in the paid lifeguard services from the early 80’s. Personally, I had a wonderful time lifeguarding in those early years. Never was there anything other than an equal opportunity working relationship at any of the beaches I worked at. Looking back at it, maybe that is amazing. Natalie Hood, Victoria (SLSA National Medical Officer)

Scholar a highly respected lifeguard (Abridged) Charlene Wellard began as a Professional Lifeguard in Townsville in the late 1990’s, from there she became Professional Lifeguard Supervisor employed through Lifeguard Services NSW from 2000 (there about). Her story is of particular interest considering she was the only female Lifeguard Supervisor, taking responsibility of a large area in the Port Stephens and surrounding areas. Charlene was a

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very much respected female in the Surf Lifesaving industry. Marilyn Falappi, NSW

Cover photo showcases the absurd A great issue and an enjoyable read. What a great cover shot of the various NSW ‘lifesaving’ services – who all hold the same objectives and are working well together towards that common goal of saving lives. However, how much does that shot showcase the shear absurdity of the uniform colour disparities currently at play in our State. It begs the question, why are we persisting with this montage of different colours along the NSW coastline? Particularly the combinations that do not align with international standards and go against the common sense understanding that red/yellow is the colour of safety on the beach and far easier to recognize than blue and white. Let common sense prevail and let’s get some improved dialogue going between the actual council services themselves, the ALS and SLS to establish a generic ‘lifeguard uniform’ that allows for differentiating between paid and volunteers, aligns with best practice and provides a value-add generic look to the entire NSW coastline. Is there a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow?? Or just more ego, attitude and politics?? Dan Russek, NSW Ed: You might be interested to know SLS has initiated a project to create a national standard lifeguard uniform for all services in consultation with the lifeguard industry. Let’s hope the project is successful.

Get it right – Steph’s a 3 x World Champ! Love the lifeguard magazine, so great to see the profession finally receiving the credit it deserves! Just a quick heads up though, Steph Gilmore has won 3 world titles (on the cover & throughout the mag it quotes she’s won 2). All the best &

Thanks to Point Lonsdale SLSC.

beach safety poster in this issue LIFEGUARD is calling on the lifeguard industry to unite and distribute the beach safety message to international tourists and migrants! In the centre of this Issue you’ll find a Beach Safety Poster from the International Tourist and Migrant public safety campaign. Your challenge is to remove the poster and distribute it where you think it’ll have the most impact. Once you’ve distributed it, send an email to admin@lifeguards.com.au and tell us where you put it, or who you gave it to. Spread the word!

we want your stories We’re still looking for specialist section writers for the magazine. If you think you can prepare a 500 word article up to 4 times a year on the following topics then get in touch! Health & Lifestyle, Fitness, Nutrition, Sport, Entertainment or anything you think would be good to read! Email admin@lifeguards.com.au keep up the good work. Joel Seaton, Avalon Beach, NSW Ed: Thanks for picking that up, not sure how we got that wrong! And now she’s a 4x Champ! P.s you won the Nintendo Wii! - see page 35

Way more surfers in our ranks Just wanted to let you know that the percentage of lifeguards that are surfers here on the Gold Coast is probably 80% or more, we all surf. Maybe you should look into that more for your articles. Otherwise a great magazine! Name withheld, Gold Coast, Qld Ed: I don’t disagree, I just threw some figures out there and left out the lifeguard percentage because I knew it’d be a point of contention – I wanted to spark some commentary which it seems to have done! Keep up the good work on the Goldy, when you’re not surfing that is.

new zealand: national lifeguard school

Training rock swimming skills

Lifeguards training rock rescue skills

By Andre Slade At the peak of lifeguard training in New Zealand is the highly aspirational National Lifeguard School (NLS). It’s designed to take in highly qualified lifeguards from around NZ and expose them to hands-on, practical lifeguarding as well as introduce a number of advanced lifeguarding skills, spitting them out at the end a better-rounded lifeguard ready for the challenges of professional lifeguarding. The last school of 2010 was held in picturesque Taylors Mistake, a small cove south of Christchurch on NZ’s South Island. Participants converged on a Friday afternoon from all corners of the country, representing the cream of kiwi lifeguard talent – many in line for prized paid ‘regional’ lifeguard positions for the summer ahead. For some, the school was an opportunity to achieve a personal goal, for most it was the highlight of their lifesaving career to date, and for all it was the chance to test themselves, challenge their fears and reach their potential. The school instructors were a selection of experts in their areas, covering skill sets such as Helicopters (yes the school involved practical helicopter exercises!), IRB’s, Rock Rescues, SAR and Emergency Care. Their job was to pass on their wealth of knowledge and skills gained over years of experience and put the participants to the test. To assist them were a group of mentors, past NLS participants that had been identified as future instructors, that would help nurture the participants through exercises. To say the weekend was full-on would be a huge understatement. The instructors wasted no time in instilling a culture of professionalism while making sure the participants were under no illusion that the weekend would require all the energy, both physically and mentally, they could muster. Early rises and late nights, packed with demanding exercises, mostly water based, and complex scenarios that even without the physical nature were demanding, meant only the tough would survive. A core component to every NLS, and the part that sticks with participants forever, is the way in which instructors emphasise the importance of lifeguards always having a rescue tube with them while on duty – a core belief instilled to lifeguards throughout NZ from a young age. Participants are required to bring their own tube, which they then give a name and personality to before introducing it to the group during the 6 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

Taylor’s Mistake cove

opening session (there were some amazingly talented tubes – and some dodgy ones too!). Becoming detached from your tube is deplorable, in any circumstance, and those breaking the link are delivered a timely reminder via a fun punishment to fit the crime. It’s an entertaining way to get across a serious underlying message: ‘always carry your tube with you – and fins –‘you’re better prepared with them’. For the participants the highlight of the school was no doubt the arrival of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, which in NZ, work hand-in-hand with the lifeguards throughout the country – at any stage an advanced lifeguard could be called on to assist in an aerial rescue situation and so training is essential. The previous evening they had been briefed and so they were chomping at the bit to get into it come Saturday morning. After another briefing by the chopper pilot the participants were picked up from a field at the back of beach and dropped one by one into the ocean. For the lucky ones, the chopper also practised its winching capabilities. In a showing of how ‘rescue ready’ the crew were, they left one participant, who was waiting to be winched, waving in the middle of the ocean while they flew off to attend a vehicle accident. Another area of advanced skill development was the rock swimming and rescue training exercises.

NZ has been incorporating rock rescue skills as part of Advanced Lifeguard Training for over 15 years now and it is especially handy on the North Island’s West Coast at beaches like Piha and Muriwai. Training involved firstly learning rock swimming techniques, but for the most part was about getting out into the elements – which had thrown up a 2m swell for the exercise – and giving it a go. Moving through progressively difficult rock shelves participants were challenged to tackle a range of different entry and exit options. Perhaps the biggest learning was how to do this without cutting yourself up, there was plenty of red water – luckily it only attracted a friendly sea lion this time! All said and done, the school was a great test of a lifeguard’s leadership, experience and capability. While the participants had to pass a number of tests, the real test was gaining the respect of the instructors who were ever vigilant throughout the weekend ensuring each lifeguard that started the school left an advanced lifeguard. That was the case this time, and NZ’s beaches are all the better for it this summer and for the future. For more information on the National Lifeguard School visit: www.slsnz.org.nz

Lifeguard 路 Issue 5 Summer 2011 路 7

FEATURE

a sport fit for lifeguards Since the early days of professional lifeguarding many of the men and women that have worked as lifeguards have also been top surf sports athletes. ANDRE SLADE takes a unique look at the natural link between surf sports and lifeguarding and how the lifeguarding profession is blessed with some of the fittest athletes in the world. It was raining hard on Noosa Main Beach back in January, very hard. Ironman Mike Janes said it was ‘raining cats and dogs’ and he wasn’t far wrong. Lightening was spotted in the distance and its failure to pass quickly was wreaking havoc on the final round of the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan Series. Under the Red Bull tent, sitting around on the couches anticipating a start, were the best Ironmen in the world. Amongst this group of insanely talented, fitness freaks were four professional lifeguards. For watermen Rhys Drury, Cory Jones, Dylan Newbiggin (all Sunshine Coast) and Ali Day (Kiama) it’s the best of both worlds. As professional lifeguards and professional Ironmen they live out their dream on some of the best beaches in the world. Earlier that day, while the rain was a little gentler, there were other professional lifeguards pounding the small half metre waves in pursuit of glory at the pro-level. Ironwoman Allira Richardson (Sunshine Coast) was in fine form finishing fourth for the day, and in the Legends race Sunshine Coast lifeguards Scott Braby, Max Pettigrove and Heath Collie were squeezing into their cossies in an effort to resurrect their past glory. While these lifeguards represent the very best of present day lifeguard surf sports athletes in Australia, they’re just the peak of talent. Within the lifeguard industry there’s literally hundreds of talented athletes that, for the most part, have progressed through their lifeguard careers alongside their rise

The Waverley Council ‘Bondi Rescue’ Team of Hoppo, Deano and Harries won the Legends event at the 2nd round on their home beach of Bondi. from nippers to Ironmen. For an athlete, working on the beach as a lifeguard presents the perfect balance in life, the ability to work on their training ground and train at their office. For some it’s a chance to escape from real life, for others it’s the lifestyle they’ve always dreamed of, and for those chasing a career as a professional athlete it’s the perfect way to make up the earnings shortfall in a cut-throat professional sport. Surf Sports athletes are some of the fittest athletes on the planet, and just to prove it, World Ironman Champion Shannon Eckstein finished a close second in season two of Rexona’s Greatest Athlete – a test between athletes from different sports – to Billy Slater (NRL). While the ongoing industry debate about who makes a better lifeguard – the athletic specimen or the complete beach manager – continues, what we do know is that surf sports athletes are the watermen that the lifeguard industry craves. Sunshine Coast Regional Council Lifeguard Services Manager, Scott Braby – himself a talented athlete –

Rhys Drury

Dylan Newbiggin

Ali Day

Allira Richardson

Cory Jones

Age: 33 Lives: Kawana Waters Lifeguards: Sunshine Coast Surf Club: Dicky Beach Favourite surf spot: Sandon Point Career best result: 1st 2007 Coolangatta Gold Champion 2010/11 KNG IronMan Series Result: 12

Age: 25 Lives: Moolooaba Lifeguards: Sunshine Coast Surf Club: Mooloolaba Favourite drink: Avocado juice Career accomplishments: Under 19 Australian Ironman Champion 2010/11 KNG IronMan Series Result: 15

Age: 20 Lives: Kiama Lifeguards: Kiama Surf Club: Warilla Barrack Point Favourite TV show: Entourage Career accomplishments: NSW Open Ironman Champion 2010 2010/11 KNG IronMan Series Result: 8

Age: 23 Lives: Maroochydore Lifeguards: Sunshine Coast Surf Club: Mooloolaba Favourite band: Blink 182 Career accomplishments: 1st at Kurrawa in KNG IronWoman Series 2008/09 2010/11 IronWoman Series Result: 7

Age: 24 Lives: Caloundra Lifeguards: Sunshine Coast Surf Club: Met Caloundra Favourite sports team: Brisbane Lions Career accomplishments: 2nd Australian Open Ironman 2010/11 KNG IronMan Series Result: 11

can lay claim to having four professional Ironmen/Ironwoman on his roster, and, he says they are worth their weight in gold. “It’s great having athletes employed as lifeguards, you know that they have exceptional surf skills and can read the ocean well,” says Braby “And their fitness is first class, they can go all day on busy days without tiring and when surf skills are really called on in big surf they’re the guys who’ll put their hand up to head out – their confidence saves lives. It’s not just the pro guys either, most of our lifeguards have done or still do compete in some capacity for their surf clubs at the amateur level and then there’s the surfers who have surfed all their lives or are competing – lifeguards are usually extremely active people.” On that rainy day in Noosa it was mixed results for Drury (12th), Jones (11th), Newbiggin (15th) and Day (8th) – a prized podium result to finish off the Series eluded them all this time. They’re already swapped their race singlets for a lifeguard uniform,

bragging rights: national lifeguard championships? Throughout Australia lifeguards are challenging each other to find the best athlete and claim bragging rights over their workmates. There’s individual lifeguard service competition, the annual challenges between arch-rival neighbours like Gosford and Wyong and Newcastle and Lake Macquarie (featuring in this edition). Then there’s the Bondi Challenge which has even made it to our TV screens on Bondi Rescue and APOLA’s annual conference championships. SLSA have recognised the gap in national competition available to lifeguards in Australia irrespective of employer and the value sport has in bringing people together. They’re proposing a National Lifeguard Championships be scoped from within the lifeguard industry with the thought of hosting the first event at the 2012 Aussies – the home of surf sports. There’s even a chance to select a team to compete in the US lifeguard championships! To kick off this process they’re calling on professional lifeguards that would like to be a part of a consultative advisory group to help guide and create such an event. If you’d like to be a part of this advisory group this year send an email to admin@lifeguards.com.au. For all lifeguards there’s a survey to fill out to help the advisory group get a feeling of what lifeguards think about the idea. To complete the survey go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SDGSG2Q

Champion lifeguards At LIFEGUARD we thought we’d try and list as many lifeguards who also excel in surf sports (and other sports). We’ve started the list in this edition and will finish it off next edition, so if you’re missing from the list, or you know a lifeguard that’s missing, send through an email to admin@lifeguards.com.au so we can add it next time.

except for Day who’s taken a short break from lifeguard duties, and join the hundreds of other surf sports athletes working as lifeguards around Australia. As lifeguards they’re saving lives and as athletes they’re training for the back end of a very busy surf sports season. Scott Braby, Heath Colloe and Max Pettigrove after competing in the Noosa round of the Legends Series.

Surf Life Saving Rhys Drury (Sunshine Coast) – Ironman Cory Jones (Sunshine Coast) – Ironman Dylan Newbiggin (Sunshine Coast) – Ironman Ali Day (Kiama) – Ironman Allira Richardson (Sunshine Coast) – Ironwoman Paul Stone ( Lake Macquarie) – coaches Ironwoman Amy Nurthen Jarred Cain (ALS Northern NSW) – NSW Country Michael Bates (ALS Queensland) – Australian Team Chris Maynard (Gold Coast) – Aussie Masters Clinton Rose (Warringah) – Ironman Dean Gladstone (Waverley) – State and Aussie Medallist Greg Bishop (Waverley) – State and Aussie Medallist Anthony Carroll (Waverley) – Surfing Bruce Hopkins (Waverley) – Masters Quinn Darragh (Waverley) – State and Aussie Medallist Sam Earp (Lake Macquarie) – Australian U21 Stewart McLachlan (Lake Macquarie) – NSW State Troy Ham (Lake Macquarie) – NSW State Grant Hudson (Port Macquarie) – Surfing and Aussie Masters Dan Humble (Stirling) – World Ski Champion Mike Cook (Stirling) – Aussie Masters Fred Annesley (Stirling) – Ironman Fiona Borg (Randwick) – Ironwoman Courtney Ellis (Manly) – Ironwoman Blair Day (Broome) – Ironman Tim Trew (Broome) – Board Champion Ken Wallace (Gold Coast) – Ski Champion/Olympian John Lavers (Sutherland) – Masters Christina Ruiz (ALS Victoria) - Champion Swimmer Other sports: Darren Orafferty (Port Macquarie) – WCT & WQS Kevin Davidson (Randwick) – Pro surfer Larry Blair (Randwick) – Pro surfer Mark Scott (Randwick) – Pro surfer/World Amateur Champion Brad Mayes (Randwick) – Pro surfer Chris Wooldridge (Randwick) – Triathlon Rod Kerr (Waverley) – Pro surfer Are you missing from the list, or do you know a lifeguard that’s missing? Send through an email to admin@lifeguards.com.au and we’ll continue the list in the next edition!

Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 9

FEATURE

sunlight, camera, action – it’s bondi to the Bondi Rescue, staring the lifeguards from Waverley Council, is now in its sixth season. There’s no doubt that the show has raised the profile of professional lifeguards in Australia over this time, and every lifeguard has their own opinion about it. LIFEGUARD caught up with one of the Bondi boys, Dean Gladstone, to get an insider’s view on the show.

LG: What has changed the most since the start of BR? DG: As I have mentioned earlier the whole professionalism of the job has changed. Some of this due to BR but also due to good management (Scott Field, Bruce Hopkins). Having resus’s and rescues on film to watch has been great for training and also the CCTV camera has been a major improvement too. LG: Have you noticed any change in behaviour by beach goers over the years of BR? DG: Yes there’s defiantly been a change in behaviour in beach goers! They are more aware of rips with rescues decreasing over the years. Also in the past when we would do rescues the beach goers would not seem to notice. Now if there is a decent rescue and it’s busy a lot of people stand up and watch, occasionally you get a little clap or cheer when you come in after a successful rescue. LG: With BR being shown in 50+ countries around the world – what affect on beach safety do you think it’s having? DG: It’s hard to say exactly. There is more awareness which is a great start. Lifeguarding is a growing profession.

Bondi Lifeguards 2010–2011

QUICK FACTS · In its 6th season (2011) · Bondi Rescue has attracted huge international interest and has been distributed worldwide including the UK, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Denmark and New Zealand · Produced by Ben Davies · The show also went to Bali in 2008 · Website: www.bondirescuelifeguards.com LIFEGUARD: Has the success of Bondi Rescue (BR) changed the way you lifeguard? Dean Gladstone: Lifeguarding has evolved and changed a lot in the 10 years I have been working at Bondi Beach. I think it’s turning more into a career opposed to a summer job for beach bums. BR has assisted this with increased world wide recognition for Aussie Lifeguards, that’s brought more awareness and expectation placed upon us and we are seeing the professionalism of the job increase every year. LG: Do you think you’ve become more professional because of BR? DG: Yes. Due to increased awareness and demand the job has become more professional, we have an improved education program, we also have developed great relationships with companies like Paqua and Yamaha. Paqua we have worked with to develop functional equipment for professional lifeguarding (water proof radio pouches). Yamaha are very supportive with servicing Rhino’s and Jetski’s. 10 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

LG: How have the Waverley Council lifeguards used the success of BR to assist in promoting beach safety for Australia? DG: Waverley Council assistance and support in doing the show is great promotion in itself, it shows the world our country’s beautiful beaches. The Lifeguards have done weird and wonderful things since the show started including underwear modelling and diving with sharks promoting beach safety each and every time!! (everyone wants to chat about the show) LG: When you look back on earlier episodes, what do you notice the most? Is there anything you would have liked to have done differently? DG: I was watching the Tacko resus on YouTube the other day and it was 15:2 CPR rate. The old ratio looks much slower. I try not to look for negatives in the way we have done stuff just areas for improvement and training. It’s a bit scary how young we look in the first series – a couple of guys wish they still had that much hair! LG: What the best part about the profile you now have because of BR? What’s the worst part? DG: The support we gave the Bali Lifeguards was excellent we had a unique opportunity to go and work in a developing world country and film a TV show at the same time. We met some lovely people who I still stay in touch with. Meeting people is awesome, we have had the opportunity to meet people that we probably would’ve met! Hoppo and Mal were on Oprah in January! The worst is having to say no to people now as there are so many demands. LG: The Waverley Lifeguards are involved in different charity work – can you explain these? DG: Pretty much a couple of

rescue Lifeguards are involved in a different charity every week now. The main ones we support are the Sydney Children’s Hospital and Breast Cancer mainly through the McGrath Foundation. After working in Bali we donated over $25,000 to the Lifeguard service there. LG: Do you get paid to be on BR? DG: No we don’t get paid to be on BR as it would be a conflict of interest. We do have the opportunity to get work outside of this with our increased profile though. LG: Who’s the most popular lifeguard? DG: I’d have to say Kerrbox, he has more mates then anyone I have ever met. Everywhere you go people know him or have had a night out with him and Kelly Slater stayed at his house a couple of years back I thought that was awesome.

QUICK FACTS Most fan mail: Maxi followed by Kerrbox Most asked question to lifeguards: Are you on Bondi Rescue? Funniest moment not captured on camera: Whippet and Dunstan chasing Paris Hilton down the beach In charge of making nicknames: Whippet Makes themselves look pretty for the cameras: Beardy. Harries is now a VIP member at Tan Temple up the road.

graham ford on... The phenomenon that is Bondi Rescue Whilst being entertaining it is helping to educate the public on Surf Safety. Now that it is being televised in 55 countries it will also help sell tourism for the country and hopefully send an awareness of the surf environment to overseas tourists who visit our country and beaches.

young kiwi lifeguard joins the bondi rescue academy to emulate his heroes For 16 year old Harrison Reid from Christchurch, NZ, lifesaving is everything. So when his parents suggested he give the Bondi Lifeguard Academy a go during the school holidays he couldn’t believe his luck. Harrison, who has been involved in Surf Life Saving since he was 6 years old, has always loved the water, helping people out and working in teams. He became a lifeguard because it was something he dreamed of, and to be spending his summer school holidays lifeguarding on his home beach Taylors Mistake still seems surreal to him. So what makes him passionate about lifeguarding? “Being the first person at the beach and the last to go home and always being someone that people can rely on and trust.” He says. The keen lifeguard spent a week at the Academy in Bondi and says it was ‘unreal’ to do things he had never done before, in fact he says it was the best time of his life – which must mean the boys looked after him. “We did so many things and a lot of spinals, spinals, spinals!!! Jet skis, water skills and team work were all good.” Says Harrison. “I reckon I’m a better lifeguard now: at doing rescues, getting on better with new people, first aids, spinals, working as a team and also yoga!” Harrison says he’d ‘drop school and head right back over there’ if he ever got the chance. But for now he’s concentrating on developing his lifeguard skills in at home this summer. “I’m also a lifeguard

(volunteer) instructor for my surf club so I’m passing the skills I learnt onto members of my club.” He says he’d highly recommend the Academy to any other keen young lifeguards in New Zealand and Australia wanting to learn more about professional lifeguarding, or anyone wanting to become a lifeguard. “I’d recommend it to anyone that wants to improve their lifeguarding, and have an unreal time!” Favourite lifeguard: Kerrbox, Yatesy, Reidy, Harries, Deano, Hoppo..... actually they were all top notch guys! His nickname from the boys: I was known as the ‘Kiwi’, being the only kiwi on the Academy Favourite memory: The whole academy! The Jet skis, the yoga in the mornings...which we all do before patrol now! And the people that I met! Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 11

FEATURE

the hoff no match for coast’s silver fox

Photo: David Clark

Australian lifeguards had a chance to take a step down memory lane when poster boy David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff from the 90’s TV Show Baywatch paid a quick visit to our shores to promote a new ice-cream. LIFEGUARD tracked down a great story from his time on the Gold Coast featuring one of Australia’s most respected lifeguards. By The Gold Coast Bulletin David Hasselhoff might look good surrounded by bikini babes but he is not about to take on the Gold Coast’s chief lifeguard Warren Young. On his visit to the Gold Coast in January he said the evergreen Mr Young, dubbed the Silver Fox, would ‘kill him’ if it came down to a one-on-one match in the surf and sand.

into the public eye. ‘’It was pretty realistic because a lot of things happen when you lifeguard but I still enjoy it,’’ he said. ‘’It’s the sort of thing where you have to keep fit, if you carry the rescue gear you have to take the name and the blame. ‘’I enjoy the ocean and I enjoy looking after people.”

In Australia to promote an ice-cream and with eight local Splice girls in tow, The Hoff, 58, was asked if he would challenge Mr Young, 60.

“He (Hasselhoff) looks like a pretty fit sort of guy and he’s done really well.’’ It was only a quick stopover for The Hoff, who later that day flew to New Zealand. The day before he been in Bondi where he met the Waverley Lifeguards. He said he loved the Gold Coast’s sunshine and would definitely be back later in the year, possibly looking to buy an apartment.

‘’He would kill me. We’re about the same age but he has a couple of years on me,’’ he said. “It’s amazing that these lifeguards stay in magnificent shape their whole life – they’re the real deal. I’ve made a few rescues in my time but you know I’m an actor and you look at that guy (Mr Young) and, when he hugged me, it was that tight. ‘’These guys still walk the walk. I don’t know if I could keep up with him but I keep up with me.’’ Mr Young, who has been a lifeguard for 37 years, said although he was not surrounded by a bevy of beauties in real life, he liked how Baywatch brought lifeguarding

12 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

“That’s the thing about Australia – everyone has fun with life and is always in good shape,’’ he said. ‘’Every time I come down here all the guys are in better shape than me, the women are beautiful and everyone is healthy with a great take on life.’’ And for The Hoff it’s boardies over budgie smugglers every time.

Page 12: Baywatch TV star David Hasselhoff meets the Gold Coasts Head lifeguard Warren Young during a promotional visit to Main beach, Gold Coast This page top: TV actor/singer David Hasselhoff pictured arriving via IRB with splice girls

Photo: David Clark

This page bottom: Gold Coast Lifeguards from the Northern end get their photo with The Hoff. L to R: Joel Nantes, James Watson, The Hoff, Luke Ingwersen and Jeremy Head.

graham ford on...

Baywatch The Hoff is a legend and CJ was certainly talented but I'm not sure if she ever did a real rescue?!

Lifeguard 路 Issue 5 Summer 2011 路 13

Archie Kalepa (L) with the crew testing the new C4 Waterman equipment

equipped for the job Lifeguards need the best and latest lifesaving equipment available, it not only makes their job easier but new efficiencies can make rescues faster and high quality gear will stand the test of time in one of the most demanding working environments. SURF LIFE SAVING has a specialist group of experts that test the latest gear and equipment, here’s a snapshot of the latest gear and equipment to pass their stringent testing process. 01

eann First Aid and Oxy Resuscitation N Equipment

SLSA has trialled and is now endorsing the use of Neann first aid and oxy resuscitation kits. Used by many State Ambulance Services, the kits are waterproof with heavy duty zippers and liners. Neatly organised inside, the soft-bag kits can be used as over the shoulder bags or backpacks and are designed to carry a large range of equipment. The first aid kit is available in red and the oxy resuscitation kit in yellow. www.surfshop.slsa.com.au

New and Improved Dolphin Lifeguard Board

Designed and developed by Zane Holmes, the new lifeguard rescue board is a hybrid of a racing board and current rescue board designs. Fast in the water, the board weighs in at a light 9kgs and is made from a hard wearing epoxy construction. Trialled by SLSA in QLD Gold Coast surf conditions, the board was found to be suitable for all rescues and was easy to control for both the entry level lifeguard to the professional. www.dolphinsurf.com.au 02

Lifeguard Portable Patrol Towers

The alternative to an expensive permanent tower on the beach, portable patrol towers offer lifeguards a stable and safe elevated platform for surveying the beach and patrolled areas. Available in 3 different sizes (S, M, L) the towers are made from a durable aluminium. The towers were found to be easy to transport and stabilise on the beach. www.abnc.com.au 03

Heartsine Samaritan Public Access Defibrillator 300P Trialled and approved for surf lifesaving conditions the Heartsine defibrillator meets the updated Australian Resuscitation Guidelines and is TGA approved. With paediatric capability, the defibrillator is lightweight (1.1kg), has the highest durability rating for water and dust (IP56) and has easy to follow prompts. A trainer is also available. www.aerohealthcare.com.au 14 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

the future of lifeguarding equipment? SLSA and Hawaiian Lifeguards team up to trial the latest in surf rescue technology. Hawaiian lifeguard legend Archie Kalepa and Hawaiian company C4 Waterman has been conducting trials with SLSA with new inflatable surf rescue products. The latest innovation in surf rescue, the inflatable products range from rescue boards, RWC sleds, junior boards and water surveillance platforms. Trialled and endorsed by Hawaiian Lifeguards in Maui, the C4 Waterman team brought the product down under to see if it stands up to Australian lifeguarding conditions. SLSA members and lifeguards at Newport Beach and Maroubra Beach in NSW and Secret Harbour in WA recently put the product to the test. Although only in initial stages of the trials, feedback on its performance, light weight and easy to store nature and durability has surprised many. Trials are continuing in Western Australia.

still working together Training and information sharing to benefit Shire beachgoers In Issue 3 of LIFEGUARD (the Newsletter) we brought you the story ‘Building closer relationships – An exchange approach’ which showcased the Sutherland Shire Lifeguard Service’s lifesaver/lifeguard exchange program they had developed. One year on and the program has gained momentum and SLS Sydney Branch has come on board thanks to the passion for the program shown by the Junior Chairman Doug Hawkins. Young volunteer surf life savers have trained with Sutherland Shire Council lifeguards this summer as part of the ‘Working Together Development Program’. The program is a joint venture between Surf Life Saving Sydney and Sutherland Shire Council, and has been made possible thanks to sponsorship from Tradies. It enables young surf life saving volunteers to gain valuable on the job experience working alongside and under the guidance of council’s professional lifeguards. Over two weeks a total of 14 volunteer life savers took part in the program. Mayor of Sutherland Shire, Clr Phil Blight, said the program helped to strengthen the relationship between council lifeguards and lifesavers.

“One of the benefits of the program is that the volunteers get to see what patrols are like on the beaches throughout the week, rather than just on weekends,” the Mayor said. “It is also a great way for our lifeguards and the life savers to share information and approaches to different situations. It also provides an increased number of experienced hands on deck during the busy summer period and school holidays,” he said. A typical day of training required the participants to attend shifts at Cronulla, North Cronulla, Elouera or Wanda beaches and undertake beach patrols, deal with the public, undertake first aid as well as theory and physical training. “The program has been a great success so far and we are hoping it will be continued next year to enable more young volunteers to gain valuable experience,” said the Mayor. SLS Sydney Rep Doug Hawkins was very happy with the response from the budding young lifesavers and believes the program, which he has developed a template for, would be great rolled out around the country. “The response by the young lifesavers has been very enthusiastic and they were excited about the opportunity to show their surf lifesaving skills on the beach with the lifeguards. To also learn new skills from those who are keeping our beaches safe full time was a great experience.” said Hawkins, “From a successful implementation in the Sutherland Shire there are now opportunities for other Councils and Surf Clubs around Australia to deliver these styles of programs and outcomes in their own local areas.”

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Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 15

Brand new: SLS asks 'Are you Australian for life'? Surf Life Saving is one of Australia’s most loved brands – but you can’t live on love alone. Recent independent research of Australians ranked Surf Life Saving as one of Australia’s most trusted and well loved brands. While these findings support previous research, alarmingly only 28 per cent of Australians knew that Surf Life Saving is a charity with almost half misbelieving the movement is privately funded. It was time to take action, so Surf Life Saving launched a new brand repositioning, aimed at all Australians to challenge their beliefs about Surf Life Saving and encourage them to get involved. Part of this was launching a new television commercial aimed at showing all Aussies that Surf Life Saving is much more than just the red and yellow flags that they see on the beach – it is a unique and vital part of Australia. Surf Life Saving Australia’s CEO, Brett Williamson OAM said the television commercial will challenge all Aussies to become involved with Surf Life Saving and will set the direction for the organisation for the next 100 years. “This is the time for us where we draw a line in the sand and put out the challenge – are you Australian for life? “Surf Life Saving represents the Australian way of life – from our active, outdoor lifestyle to our love of beaches, our community spirit and our strong sense of mateship. We believe these qualities that sum us up as a nation are the qualities that make Surf Life Saving ‘Australian for life’. Whether you are from Broken Hill or Bondi, Alice Springs or Airlie Beach, or whether you have lived here for generations or just days, everyone has the opportunity to be involved in Surf Life Saving. “The challenge is about helping more Australians realise the breadth of Surf Life Saving and show that we offer so much more for the community outside of patrolling our breathtaking beaches. There are so many ways people can play a part from joining a surf club, to taking part in a first aid course to simply adhering to our safety advice by always swimming between the red and yellow flags,” said Mr Williamson. The brand repositioning also supports other vital campaigns that will be designed to encourage everyday Australians to give 16 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

generously to lifesaving services. “One of the significant ways people can be involved in Surf Life Saving is through donating. We were surprised at the number of Aussies who didn’t realise that Surf Life Saving is a cause that needs the support of the community. By giving to Surf Life Saving not only are people ensuring the safety of Australia’s beaches, but they are also ensuring that Surf Life Saving will be around for another 100 years and will be able to go on contributing to the Australian community. An example of the new creative executions for the new brand campaign

“The fact that we are admired and respected is something we are very proud of - but we really need to give every Australian the opportunity to play an active role and become part of this unique movement. But the message is you don’t need to wear the red and yellow cap or budgie smugglers, or even visit a beach – you can make a meaningful contribution to a way of life, that up until now has pretty much been taken for granted,” he said.

graham ford on... What the new brand direction means for the future. The extension of lifesaving coverage to match community needs which will in turn help build our lifesaving capacity.

blast from the past Are your incident reports this detailed? This issue we’ve got a detailed account of a resuscitation from way back in 1890! You’ll be surprised by the techniques of old, and of the descriptive nature of the report (which has been reduced from 4 pages to 1)!

Project Gutenberg’s Scientific American Supplement No. 819, by Various

A CASE OF DROWNING, WITH RESUSCITATION (Abridged) This incident occurred on August 29, 1890, at South Harpswell, Casco Bay, Me., where I was passing my vacation. At about 9.30 A.M., M. B----, an American, aged eighteen, the son of a fisherman, a young man of steady habits and a good constitution, with excellent muscular development, and who had never before required the aid of a physician, was seen by the residents of the village to fall forward from a skiff into the water and go down with uplifted hands. I had been sent for to where I was sitting, one hundred and fifty-one yards from the scene, and I arrived to find him apparently lifeless on the tub, and to be addressed with the remark, “Well, doctor, I suppose we are doing all that can be done.” I could not learn that he rose at all after the first submersion. Respiration had ceased, but no time was lost in commencing artificial respiration. The patient had on a shirt and pantaloons, which were immediately unbuttoned and made loose, and placing myself at his head, I used the Silvester method. I continued the artificial respiration from 9.45 until 10, when I directed one of his rescuers to make pressure upon the ribs, as I brought the arms down upon the chest. This assistance made expiration more complete.

About twenty minutes after ten, two hypodermic syringefuls of brandy were administered, but I did not repeat this, since I think alcohol is likely to increase rather than diminish asphyxia, if given in any considerable quantity.

After a natural respiration had commenced, the wet clothing was removed, and the patient was placed in blankets. Ammonia was occasionally applied to the nostrils, since, although respiration had returned, there was no sign of consciousness; the natural respiration was at first attended by the expulsion of frothy fluid from the lips, which gradually diminished, and auscultation revealed the presence of a few pulmonary rales, which also passed away.

Coffee was also administered by a ready method which, as a systematic procedure, was, I believe, novel when I introduced it to the profession in the Medical Record, in 1876. After I had worked with the patient in the open air, for four and three-quarter hours, he was carried to a cottage nearby and placed, still unconscious, in bed. Consciousness began to return in the early part of the following morning, and with its advent it was discovered that the memory of everything which had occurred from half an hour previous to the accident, up to the return of consciousness, had been completely obliterated. With this exception the convalescence was steady and uncomplicated, and of about a week’s duration. From a letter which I recently received from my patient, I learned that the lapse of memory still remains.

Have you got a ‘blast from the past’ hidden away in your vault? Maybe a classic photo or a newspaper article from yesteryear? Send it in and we’ll feature it!

Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 17

18 路 Lifeguard 路 Issue 5 Summer 2011

Beach Safety for Visitors to Australian Beaches

Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 19

NO LITTERING

www.beachsafe.org.au

Traditional Chinese • Simplified Chinese • Korean • Japanese • Hindi • Malay • Arabic

SURFCRAFT PROHIBITED

HELP!

If you need help, stay calm and attract attention

NO FIRES

Swim with a friend

Sunnyhill Shire

NO ALCOHOL

Lifeguards on duty when red and yellow flags are displayed. Please swim between the flags.

Submerged Rocks

Rough Surf

Shallow Water

Strong Currents

WARNING

LIFEGUARD

Surf Beach

Ask a lifeguard for safety advice

LYB 121

Read the safety signs

Always swim between the red and yellow flags

Do you want to obtain and develop the necessary skills to become a Professional Lifeguard? The Australian Lifesaving Academy NSW offers courses throughout NSW in: • • • • • • •

Certificate II in Public Safety (Bronze Medallion) Apply First Aid Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Spinal Management Basic Beach Management Advanced Emergency Care Gold Medallion

Sunscreen by the experts. Protecting Australian beaches for over one hundred years. Now we help protect your skin. Available at all good pharmacies.

20 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

For further information call 1300 766 257 or visit www.surflifesaving.com.au

a camp experience you’ll never forget Looking for something to do over the Aussie winter? Why not pack your bags and head to the USA as a lifeguard at a Summer Camp. Aussie lifeguards are in huge demand and the experience and fun you’ll have along the way will stick with you for life. LIFEGUARD caught up with CASSANDRA MOND, a lifeguard from Victoria who is heading back to camp for the second time this winter, to find out what all the fun is about!

QUICK FACTS:

Name: Cassandra Mond, Age: 20 Lives: Ringwood North, Victoria Lifeguards: Second season with the Australian Lifeguard service at Venus Bay, Inverloch, Waratah Bay and Tidal River (Wilsons Prom). Also a Pool Lifeguard at Croydon Leisure and Aquatic Centre and MSAC (Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre) LIFEGUARD: How did you find out about working as a lifeguard at a USA Summer Camp (SC)? CASSANDRA MOND: I found out when I was in high school. It was something I always said I would love to do but never pursued it. While I was at work one day I was chatting to a friend and she told me about her camp (Modin) and how she had a fantastic time and told me to watch the camp DVD. I looked at other camps on the net but decided that Modin was for me, it offered what I wanted and the camp ground was amazing! I got in contact with the Camp director by my friend and before you knew it I was I was at camp. LG: What was it about a SC that attracted you? CM: After finishing high school I was burnt out and needed a break. I did first year uni anyway and didn’t enjoy it and wanted to do something different, be independent and travel LG: What was your role? What did you do? CM: My role at Camp was in the waterfront staff and as a general counsellor. On the waterfront I was a Lifeguard and Swim Instructor and once daily activities finished I was a general counsellor. I lived with my campers and helped them stay organized, eat and shower. LG: What qualifications did you need to be a lifeguard at the SC? CM: Even though I had all the relevant lifeguard quals in Aus, at camp we had to get our American Lifeguarding and CPR. LG: Did you need to do any further training when you got to camp? CM: I arrived at Camp two weeks prior to the kids coming. The first week was just Lifeguard training which was really good but intense at times. We spent three days on the lake practicing deep water spinals. The second week was training on how to be a good counsellor and getting to know the staff week. LG: How did your skills fare alongside other counsellors at camp from other countries? CM: Most of the water staff (waterski included) were made up of Aussies and Kiwis. Our skills were very similar and we were a strong team.

LG: I know it’s hard to pick, but what was the best part about camp? CM: COLOUR WAR!!!!!!! Colour war was an intense 3 days of completion and cheering. The whole camp gets broken into 2 teams; Mo (Red) and Din (Blue). It was incredible and words cant describe how insane the whole experience was! LG: Did you learn any new skills that you’ve been able to bring back to Oz? CM: I’ve never done any deep water spinal training so that was really valuable and is something I have taken home, also that a few other rescue techniques I do a little differently in Aus. LG: Did you share any of your skills from Oz at the camp? CM: I am a loud and proud Aussie so yes. I tried to share all the ways you can eat vegemite but my kids wouldn’t eat it! LG: Do the seasons match up nicely between lifeguarding in Oz and SC? CM: It works perfectly because as the Aussie weather gets colder the US gets warmer so it’s a good way to ditch winter! Then when camp finishes and it starts to cool down overseas you come home to Oz and prepare for yet another Summer. I’ve had an all year round tan and my mates are totally jealous. LG: What advice do you have for other Oz lifeguards that might be thinking of working in a SC? CM: Do it, you only live once and it’s an experience you will never forget! LG: Any final words of advice? CM: Make sure you tell your parents you’re planning on going to camp before you sign your contracts! And ask around about all camps. There’s thousands of them and one that will suit everyone! LG: What was your best memory from camp? CM: WININNG MO and DIN! GO MO!!!!!!! LG: What is your favourite camp song? CM: It’s a tie between Eye of the tiger cause that means either a psyche or COLOUR WAR!!!! Or Baby shark! I’d add the lyrics but there are none its more the actions at make the song! For more information on summer camps visit: www.ccusa.com.au

graham ford on... Overseas lifeguarding experience It’s such a great opportunity for lifesavers and lifeguards to be able to work overseas in summer camps and in different lifeguard services as well. Aussie Lifeguards are without question the best in the World.

Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 21

FEATURE

victoria: a beachsafe trip up the great ocean road 05

In October 2010, Surf Life Saving (SLS) launched its BeachSafe iPhone Application where users can find their nearest patrolled beach – get directions to it, check on weather and surf conditions and make educated decisions about swimming, surfing, rockfishing and diving. Beachsafe is available free of charge from the iTunes App Store and has already been downloaded over 50,000 times. ANDRE SLADE took a road trip along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road to test out the new app, visiting patrolled beaches and meeting the lifeguards from the Australian Lifeguard Service on duty. Starting in the heart of Melbourne he clicked on ‘Beach Near Me’ and let the app guide him to Lorne.

01 First stop the waterfront in Geelong, home of the Geelong Cats, and a few familiar looking wooden men 02 P oolside, lifeguards Will Saunders and Cassidy Redden say they usually get one major event a season and it’s usually a spinal

03 Tom Burns-Wallace and Al Burrell say the pool doesn’t give them as much trouble as the sea urchins that sneak into the main lagoon 04 Up the road to Torquay, but first a stop off in Cosy Corner, a popular beach for families with shallow bars and beach pool for the kids 05 Jacob Sedger is on duty at Cosy corner, the lifeguards usually rotate from Torquay every 2-3 hours, and they’re always in radio contact

06 There’s always time for an icecream! On a hot day it’s the business to be in as the line stretches towards the beach 07 Around the corner to Torquay, the beach is starting to get packed and a decent swell is getting the rip currents pumping 08 L ifeguard Jack Elsum is all smiles after rescuing a damsel in distress in one of the rips, one of the benefits of being a lifeguard!

22 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

09 Surf Coast Lifeguard Supervisor, Andrew ‘Huffy’ Hough keeps a close eye on what’s going on at Torquay and keeps in check with the other beaches regularly

10 Anglesea and Lorne are on the cards for a visit, at least they will be if mobile reception doesn’t keep cutting out! 11 A trip along the surf coast wouldn’t be complete without a stop off at world famous Bell’s Beach, it’s a surfing reserve

12 This one’s for the surfers – a nice line up rolls in with only a few guys on it! 13 It might have good waves, but there’s no lifeguard service here. No doubt surfers do their fair share of rescues at Bells. 14 Mobile reception has ensured an arrival at Anglesea Beach, SLSA’s 2010 Club of the Year and bustling with hundreds of members 15 Surf Rescue: The club was running IRB training down the beach but for now it’s back to the club for a debrief 16 Toby & Paddy keep a close eye on beachgoers at Anglesea, Life Saving Victoria’s president Mike Martin was spotted swimming between the flags

17 Over 140 new bronzies were put through their paces during a one week intensive course with the support of 40 instructors

18 It was hard to say goodbye to Anglesea on such a great day, this view is from the surf club café run by Mike’s daughter and her partner

19 Back on the Great Ocean Road, mobile reception means there’s no problem finding Lorne, but it’s now a race against the diminishing battery power! 20 Caroline Burton, Ben Mason and John Takac (ex SLSA Lifesaver of the Year) keep warm as the day draws to an end – jackets compulsory wearing in true Victorian style 21 Lorne Beach with the Pier in the background, the following week the famous Pier to Pub ocean swim attracted over 4,500 participants including the boys from Bondi Rescue 22 T rip complete, Beachsafe iPhone App a success and a chance to take the road less travelled back to Melbourne.

Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 23

the old salty dog a great idea, Salty dog wonder if it will ever catch on! The invite came as a shock and it was pure bloody luck that I even found it in the first place. The email had slipped into my SPAM and I had stumbled upon it just before I pushed the delete button on the whole sorry pile. Titled ‘Salty Dog’ it demanded to be opened.

in only boardies - he was still ripped for sure and the handshake was as confusing as ever, you know the one, like they do in Hawaii where you sort of focus on grabbing the thumb rather than the hand and then you slide down and lock the end of the fingers. Bluey proceeded to fills in the blanks. Aspen, Texas, Greek islands, UK, Japan, USA, Mexico and South Africa, but it was a surfing trip right here that changed it all for Bluey. Surfing early one morning he rescued a young princess from a rip at the islands main beach. Only problem with this one was she actually was a Princess. Yep, good old Bluey had rescued the bloody Kings daughter. That was five years ago and that one incident prompted the Government to form a professional Lifeguard Service and Bluey was the man!

“Hey Dog need you to come visit me really soon. I’m running the new Lifeguard Service for the King over here. Your ticket is at the Airport. Bluey”. I hadn’t heard from, or even seen Bluey for years, worked with us in the nineties, awesome waterman and a great natural athlete. Super reliable in all situations the Boss would say. Bloody ripped he was, with a full six pack due to the fact he would train like a Trojan. Didn’t own a car, he just ran everywhere with his backpack on. He loved to mix it up in a group training environment and although you rarely saw him swimming laps, if he joined the swim squad for the morning set he would lead the lane for sure. Thinking back Bluey really could have been one of the best surf Ironmen but couldn’t hack the whole clubbie scene or the guys that ran it.

Worked seven straight seasons then one year he just never fronted for the trial and that was it. I’d heard a few stories like he’d married some rich American chick he’d met in Aspen and gone to live in California. A few years ago I bumped into a mate who told me he’d seen Bluey in Angola. Another said he saw Bluey selling copies of the Big Issue outside the Covent Garden Underground. I suppose he was one of those guys that was a friend to everyone but no one really knew him. Running the new Lifeguard service for the King over here said the email but where the hell was here! A quick call to Customer Service at the airport confirmed that, indeed, there was a ticket for me and that Blueys new Lifeguard service was located in one of the world’s most Idyllic locations. The Dog was packed! It’s not often you get collected at the airport by a chick in a bikini but sure enough there she was holding up a sign with the word Dog on it. ‘Mister Dog welcome!’ she said. ‘I take you to the hotel and then Mister Bluey will pick you up from there’ - Mister Bluey eh! Things have changed that’s for sure. 'How you been Dog' I turned quickly to see Bluey striding toward me through the hotel foyer dressed 24 · Lifeguard · Issue 45 Spring Summer 2010 2011

‘It’s bloody dangerous all year round with heaps of swell coming out of the west’. ‘We've got 50 lifeguards at 25 beaches and all of the crew are local guys that grew up surfing on the reef and beach breaks around the islands ‘, said Bluey sort of proudly. ‘I got the King to buy some rescue boards, uniforms and radios and away we went. No mechanical shit here dog. I saw the way lifeguarding was heading and it was pissing me off to be honest’.

Bluey saying that reminded me of a conversation we had years ago where Bluey believed that we were developing a bunch of rev heads that all had the awards on paper but zero actual practical skills. Bluey believed that management was more interested in spending money on machines rather than developing the practical skills to firstly prevent a rescue situation and then to complete the rescue without drama. ‘Bloody hell Dog, most rescues are done 20 metres from shore not two kilometres out

to sea, you don't need a boat!’ he said laughing again. ‘What I am developing here is a highly effectual low cost lifeguard service that is focussing on bringing guys and girls into this industry for the long term. I have developed a training program run by my experienced guys to develop the skills of kids who want to work with us in the future so in four to five years time they are ready to do a job’

‘You know yourself Dog that you can't get someone off the street one day and have them being an effective lifeguard the next - been a few examples but not many mate! As I said they can have the awards but the experience and the ocean skills are a different ball game!’ said Bluey looking quite serious. As we drove on, with Blueys comments sinking into my brain combining with 24 hours of little sleep, I drifted off.... ZZZZZZZZZZ - Bloody alarm clock. That’s one noise you can NEVER get used to. Wow that was a heavy dream - what was it about though? Bluey, I was dreaming about bloody Bluey! Mate he was a legend that boy for sure, but I haven't seen him for years. Why was I dreaming about him? Now I remember, he was running a low cost lifeguard service on some island somewhere. He had put together a plan where lifeguards

spent time learning the skills of the ocean through surfing, diving and paddling rather that driving Wetbikes and IRB’s. Bluey was focussing on getting them to develop their craft skills not their driving skills and teaching them awareness and behaviour of people in different surfing conditions. Teaching Lifeguards the ability to identify from 400 metres away if someone is local or a kook from another planet looking to become a statistic. Lifeguards learning the ability to actually manage a beach full of punters in a difficult natural environment using a rescue board and your ocean skills.

Proactive not reactive Lifeguarding, what a great idea, wonder if it will ever catch on! What do you think? Have your say on the lifeguard network discussion forum at www.lifeguardnetwork.com.au

lifeguard network Join the lifeguard network online for free at www.lifeguardnetwork.com.au to view up-to-the minute news, events, jobs and more.

lake macquarie looking to square up lifeguard challenge They do the same job, but Newcastle City Council and Lake Macquarie City Council lifeguards have drawn a line in the sand as the battle it out in the second year of the successful Lifeguard Challenge. Newcastle City Council Lifeguards were the winners of the 2010 inaugural Challenge which resulted in Lake Macquarie City Council flying the Newcastle City Council flag for the day from their Council Chamber. Newcastle City Council’s Lifeguard Team Leader Darren Toomey says “The challenge is a fantastic opportunity for the community to see our lifeguards showcase their skills, promote the service and use the competition as a warm up to the Bondi Challenge. This challenge highlights the fitness required of Council Lifeguards who are looking after the swimming community at all our city Beaches throughout the year”. Lake Macquarie City Council’s Paul Stone says “It is a great opportunity for the public to come out and see the professional lifeguards demonstrate their skills and hopefully witness a Lake Macquarie Council Lifeguard victory. It's in the nature of professional lifeguards to try and be the best at what they do," he said. The teams will face off at Merewether Beach from 5.45pm in board rescue, swimming and running events on Thursday 17 March 2011. Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 25

g-land on my 6’6

Photos supplied by Israel Hyde.

Port Macquarie lifeguard ISRAEL HYDE tells the story of his recent trip to G-Land with his trusty 6’6’ where he rode the wave of his life and also had to call on his skills as a lifeguard to assist a fellow surfer in need. I ordered my 6’6’ one year ago for a previous trip to G-land. That trip I had only rode it a few times as I preferred to ride my short boards…easier to change my line in the barrel, if you’ve ever surfed G-land backside you’ll know what I mean. A few months passed and I headed to Hawaii for the late season in February. I took quite a few boards, the 6’6’ included. Turns out to be a great late season and I surf off the wall and backdoor religiously everyday for five weeks. The 6’6’ turns out to be my favourite barrel board. I planned to head back to G-land late for the full moon of September. Rang Luke ordered a few boards for the trip. The 6’6’ was still in good condition so I didn’t order another. Arrived in Bali two weeks before I was booked for G-land. Stayed with some friends with a view of the ocean. The whole time Bali didn’t get over 3ft.

Israel Hyde

I starting to get a little worried thinking G-land might be small for my trip. Then with 4 days to go the ocean went totally flat! The day I arrived at G-land guys were surfing 3ft Kongs saying that it was pumping compared to the past week. The surf picked

26 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

up over the next few days leading up to the full moon. On the night of the full moon Bobbies camp threw a party…traditional Indonesian dancers, buffet, the lot. I woke early in the night, swear I felt a tremor…tried to go back to sleep but the waves were really loud…When the sun came up, it revealed the swell was solid. All of the swell was focused down at the pad. Solid 6 to 10ft. I waited for the trades and tide to fill then hit it. The swell was pulsing and the usual suspects were scoring on the sets. Like any world class break you need to spend time getting to know the wave and the people who spend the most time there. G-land is no exception. Once you take off on a set wave at the Pad , you only really have one chance to pull out if you don’t think you can make it.

Once you’ve committed, there’s only one way through Speedies, and that’s the barrel. Anyway I was finding a little tricky catching the sets on my 6‘6‘, seemed like everyone was riding boards well over 7ft. “It’s the day of the season.” I had to try and sit deep right under the pack on the peak, looking for the double ups. A set started unloading up the reef. I decided to stay deep. It works well and the pack miss the set. All of a sudden I’m in the perfect spot with no one even close to me. What a surprise. The set is perfect and take off on the wave of the set. Did a top turn and almost blew it, bottom turned again and realised that I had one option. Pull in. I told myself “this is what you’re here for”. I set up with as much speed as I could and back-doored the cobra. Once I had the right line, I just enjoyed the view, thinking of the many stories

people I have looked up to had told me about this very wave. Speedies is like no other and it is the reason a select bunch of surfers from all parts of the globe keep coming back.

I already had the bug, but now I have it bad. Paddling back after the wave I had goose bumps. I reached the peak again and now I wanted more, bring it on. One of the biggest sets of the day comes and lands right on my head, full top to bottom barrel right in front of me. I bail. My leash snaps instantly. I start swimming. Its solid so the only way in is to swim into the impact zone and get washed in. Once I reached the safety of the lagoon. Another surfer starts yelling to me “F**k’n HELP” There’s another surfer in deep s**t. I reach them and there’s one guy in a bad way. He’s incoherent and can’t help himself. Another guy comes over to help and we do our best to move this guy over the reef to the beach. We get him to the beach and send for the doctor. Turns out he’s broken his pelvis. He was lucky not to drown. I’ve never seen someone in so much pain…The guy had medical insurance. So the helicopter was ordered. Bali air was busy taking some golf tour?! They ended up having to move him overland in a minibus!! I found my 6’6’ down the beach, looked like a shark had chewed it up. I wasn’t even bummed that it was in 2 pieces. That board had a good life. Many barrels. A Balinese guy now owns the 6’6’, he got it fixed, and is learning to surf on it…Stoked.

Join the world’s leading experts in the areas of drowning research, policy and practice at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2011. Vietnam is a venue that has rich cultural, historical and tourism highlights, and with drowning a leading cause of death in the region, it provides an ideal place to debate global efforts to prevent drowning.

Danang, Vietnam Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 May 2011

Presented by

Supported by

For more information and registrations visit www.worldconferenceondrowningprevention.org

Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 27

new CPR guidelines come into affect The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) released its latest research on resuscitation in October 2010. The Australian Resuscitation Committee (ARC) has discussed the latest research and released new guidelines on 31st December 2010. SLSA has summarised the new guidelines below.

Main change affecting lifeguards in aquatic environments: The difference between the protocol for the drowned person and the sudden adult cardiac arrest is that for the drowned victim we (still) deliver 2 breaths before starting the CPR cycle (30:2) whereas in the sudden cardiac arrest we immediately commence with the CPR cycle, that is, the 30 compressions before the 2 breaths.

Summary of key change areas • Increased emphasis has been placed on high quality CPR (compressions of adequate rate and depth, allowing complete chest recoil between compressions, minimising interruptions in compressions and avoiding excessive ventilation). • Greater attention on the use of a defibrillator within the resuscitation process • An ‘S’ (Send for help) has been added to the acronym DRSABCD. Note that in the past training has stated that you should send for help after ‘R’ – checking for response, (if there was no response) but this was not highlighted in the acronym. There is therefore no change to the process other than to highlight the point. • The major change is that in the victim who is unresponsive and not breathing normally, CPR commences with chest compressions rather than rescue breaths. • There is no change to the guideline for the drowned person, that is, D – Check for Danger R – Check for Response, if NO Response, S – Send for Help A – Check Airway B – Check Breathing, if NOT Breathing, deliver 2 Breaths C – Commence CPR, rate of 30 compressions to 2 breaths, D – Apply Defibrillator

28 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

• The signs to look for before commencing CPR have been simplified to ‘responsiveness’ and ‘breathing’ i.e. if not responsive and not breathing, commence CPR. • The term ‘Signs of Life’ is no longer used • Note that there will be minor word changes to support the above emphasis. • However, there has been a slight change in the protocol for the sudden, adult cardiac arrest (the most common form of arrest) D – Check for Danger R – Check for Response, if NO Response, S – Send for Help A – Check Airway B – Check Breathing, if NOT Breathing, C – Commence CPR, rate of 30 compressions to 2 breaths, D – Apply Defibrillator • The difference between the protocol for the drowned person and the sudden adult cardiac arrest is that for the drowned victim we still deliver 2 breaths before starting the CPR cycle (30:2) whereas in the sudden cardiac arrest we immediately commence with the CPR cycle, that is, the 30 compressions before the 2 breaths.

When is Compression Only CPR useful? Compression-only CPR relies on the fact that in sudden, adult cardiac arrest the lungs and blood contain oxygen at the moment the heart stops. For the first few minutes afterwards, the primary need of the victim is for artificial circulation of the blood to commence. This is provided by chest compressions. It is believed that better results will be obtained if there are no pauses for rescue breaths. After approximately 5 minutes, however, ventilation is required to restore oxygen to the body. While a number of International teaching bodies have advocated ‘CAB’ (Compressions, Airway, Breathing) to emphasise Compressions first and the fact that Compression Only CPR is better than nothing, now, the ARC, and Surf Life Saving, will retain the 30:2 ratio for ease of teaching. In recognising that any attempt at resuscitation is better than no attempt at all, if a person is unwilling or unable to perform rescue breathing, then Compression Only CPR is better than no CPR at all.

Clarification to the use of Defibrillation and Children Defibrillation on children between the ages of 1 and 8 has been endorsed by both the ARC and Surf Life Saving.

Transition to the new protocols Surf Life Saving will transition to the new guidelines by 1 June 2011. This will require the updating of some resources (this may be either by an insert or printing of new material). During this period instructors, trainers, and assessors will continue with their current teaching unless otherwise advised. There may be some cases where some people are taught under the old guidelines and some under the new guidelines. Surf Life Saving believes that while the guidelines continue to improve the process of teaching CPR there is no risk to a person either receiving or delivering CPR. Further information can be obtained by contacting Surf Life Saving

rip currents – on beach education the focus for summer Following a review of last season’s Rip Current campaign SURF LIFE SAVING has worked alongside lifesaving and lifeguard services and surf safety educators to further develop rip current education using the most up-to-date evidence based research. This summer the focus has shifted from mass media to onbeach education, getting face-to-face with the public using the latest educational tools. Here’s a snapshot of what it’s all about.

Where it fits into the Rip Current intervention strategies 1. on beach education, 2. targeted advertising, 3. online marketing and education, 4. community education expansion, 5. ongoing research.

On Beach Education Teaching people how to spot rip currents is considered difficult using advertising campaigns that use traditional media channels. With identification of rip currents recognised as one of the major tools for helping reduce rip current related drownings, a series of educational resources such as flip charts, educator’s notes, and instructors guides have been developed to assist surf lifesavers and lifeguards engage the public at the beach. These resources will teach the public how to spot rip currents, how they work, and their options if they get caught in one. Most importantly, they reinforce the primary surf safety message which is to always swim between the red and yellow flags. Surf Life Saving produced a set of resources for distribution to identified black spot drowning locations around Australia. Other services are able to access the resources via the BeachSafe website where they can be downloaded and printed off to use on the beach.

Revised rip current diagram & messaging A new diagram was developed to better convey the rip current safety messages to the public with assistance of NOAA. You can survive a rip current by knowing your options • Avoid rip currents by always swimming between the red and yellow flags • For assistance, stay calm, float, and raise an arm to attract attention • To escape a rip, swim parallel to the beach • Always conserve your energy, waves can assist you back to the beach

2011* drowning deaths – stats update Drowning deaths by month

Drowning deaths by state

MONTH

STATE

COASTAL DROWNING July 4 August 0 September 2 October 3 November 5 December 6 January^ 5 GRAND TOTAL 25

COASTAL DROWNING NSW 9 QLD 6 VIC 4 WA 4 TAS 2 NT 0 SA 0 GRAND TOTAL 25

* Period 01/07/10 – 24/01/11. Does not include incidences which are currently classified as ‘undetermined’. Source: SLSA Coastal Deaths and Drowning Database ^ Coastal Drowning Death – fatality arising from impairment of respiratory function and as a result of immersion in liquid where the place of drowning includes beaches, harbour/bay/inlet and ocean up to 5nM offshore.

2nd International Rip Current Symposium Hosted by Surf Life Saving Australia Sydney, Australia 30 Oct – 1 Nov 2012 Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 29

timely trial to save beachgoers

In Western Australia, a fresh, new partnership is helping make beaches that little bit safer during a cardiac arrest emergency over the summer months. Starting this season the St John Ambulance ‘First Responder’ system has expanded its network of trained people to some of WA’s busiest beaches in a partnership with Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA). Cardiac arrest is a major killer of people in Australia with approximately 30,000 people dying as a result each year. The first 8-10 minutes is crucial to a person’s survival rate after a cardiac arrest (when the heart stops due to an internal electrical malfunction). Sadly, with every minute of delay, the chance/risk of death increases by 10 percent so a fast response is vital. A cardiac arrest does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere – even on a fun day at or close to the beach. This trial program, in partnership with SLS, will mean an increase in trained ‘First Responders’ available on the scene with a defibrillator device (AED), which could make all the difference to someone’s life whilst waiting for an ambulance to arrive. This First Responder trial program is running from January 4 through to the end of April at some of WA’s most popular seaside spots: Cottesloe Beach in the metropolitan area; Middleton Beach (Albany), Secret Harbour (Rockingham), Smiths Beach(Yallingup) and Yallingup Beach. How the beach-based ‘First Responder’ system trial works: • a triple zero call (000) is received by a St John Ambulance Communications officer. If the location is one of these trial beaches a system alert will be triggered indicating that a

30 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

registered Surf Life Saving First Responder could be close to the emergency area; • the St John Ambulance Operations Centre despatches an ambulance and contacts the First Responder listed for that beach; and • the beach-based First Responder heads to the emergency area and commences critical resuscitation techniques, including using a semi-automatic defibrillator device (AED) if necessary, particularly if a cardiac arrest or a suspected cardiac arrest has occurred, prior to the ambulance arriving. “St John Ambulance is really pleased to announce this project in partnership with Surf Life Saving WA” said Chief Executive officer, Tony Ahern. “We anticipate that this seasonal trial will be a great asset not just to our organisations in assisting when the unimaginable happens, but also for the families and friends and other beach-goers who are confronted by such an unexpected crisis.” “Surf Life Saving WA is really excited in moving forward with this new partnership” said Beach Services Coordinator, Matt du Plessis, who also runs the Australian Lifeguard Service (WA). “Saving lives and building great communities is our main focus, and by being part of the St John Ambulance First Responder Scheme, we are offering our beach communities, councils and the general public extended life saving services in public places such as public parks and cafes on our beachfronts. We hope that being part of early intervention strategies during cardiac arrests will save lives”, said du Plessis. If you’d like to know more about the First Responder program, contact Matt on (08) 9243 9444 or mduplessis@mybeach.com.au

ford thinker: slsa has a new president Surf Life Saving Australia has sworn in a new President with Immediate Past President Rankin AM stepping down after 9 years at the helm. Long time Bronte (NSW) Surf Lifesaver GRAHAM FORD is the new man at the top and LIFEGUARD spoke to Graham about what it means to him and what his goals are for the national peak aquatic rescue organisation. Name: Graham Ford Surf Club: Bronte SLSC Years in lifesaving: 20 Positions held: Patrol Captain, Club Captain, Trainer, Assessor, Junior Coordinator, various management roles and Club President for the last 10 years LIFEGUARD: Surf Life Saving tends to run in the family, are there lots of Ford’s running around the beach? Graham Ford: My five kids have been through nippers and have been active patrol members and now we have six grandkids and they are starting out in nippers which ensures that the Ford legacy in lifesaving continues. LG: What does it mean to you to be a lifesaver? GF: Being a lifesaver is not just a euphemism but a statement of fact. To be part of a team and the camaraderie of the surf is truly unique. Fortunately I can now pass this knowledge and skill of being a lifesaver from one generation to another. LG: What has been your greatest achievement to date in lifesaving? GF: Training and mentoring a nipper who became an outstanding lifesaver and performed an amazing rescue off the cliffs of Bronte which saved a person’s life and was recognised by SLSA with a meritorious award.

Immediate Past President Ron Rankin AM (L) welcomes new President Graham Ford at the opening of SLSA’s new Surf House in Rosebery (NSW).

LG: You’ve been patrolling on Bronte for a long time alongside Council lifeguards. How do you work together and maintain a good relationship? GF: It’s a great environment, we work together well, especially with most of the lifeguards being club members , like Harries & Hoppo (Harries has been coaching our nipper squads for a while now and the kids love him). In fact most of the boys from Waverly Council are or have been Bronte Surf Club members. At the end of the day it’s about respect, communication and cooperation between all of us. LG: To finish up, can you finish this sentence: “In the perfect world lifeguards and lifesavers… (GF:) work together to save lives and keep our beaches safe for the public.”

SLSA has new Operations Manager but still a Peter Peter Agnew (left) has moved on from SLSA; Peter George AM moves from a volunteer role to a paid role at SLSA

LG: Why did you choose to stand for president of SLSA? GF: To represent the grass roots of the organisation, its Clubs and members and to help develop a strategic plan that all levels of the organisation have input. LG: With a new President comes new ideas, what are your main goals for your time as president? GF: My goal is to ensure all levels of the organisation are working together off a universally agreed strategic plan. We need every member, volunteer or paid, to take ownership of the plan and communicate together effectively. We also need the greater lifesaving industry to all be working on a similar level – working together as one. LG: Have you ever been a paid lifeguard? GF: No, but my son Stephen has been both locally and overseas in the USA and Channel Islands (UK). LG: Over the last couple of years the relationships between SLS and Council operated lifeguard services has been going from strength to strength, what do you see as our biggest opportunity for the future in this area? GF: To deliver a national 24/7 lifesaving emergency rescue and safety service integrated between clubs, support operations and lifeguard services combining both volunteer and paid staff to make it happen in the most effective and efficient way.

Peter Agnew

Peter George AM

In other SLSA operations staff news, long time General Manager – Operations, Peter Agnew has moved on after 9 years in the role. Agnew, who has left to start his own business in education and mentoring, has played a leading role in the growth and professionalism of the operations team and will be sorely missed. The great news for the organisation is that past Director of Lifesaving, Peter George AM, who has been on the national Board of Lifesaving for 15 years – 10 as Director – and is the ILS Lifesaving Commissioner, has stepped in to replace Agnew in a broader role as Chief Operating Officer. George brings a wealth of experience from both his lifesaving roles and as the Head of Finance for Property at Westpac for 15 years. Matthew Thompson, SLSA Coastal Safety Services Manager, has taken on a number of Agnew’s responsibilities also. In the next Issue of LIFEGUARD we will take a look back at Ron Rankin’s time as president. Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 31

from lifeguarding to paramedics

Photo: Sarah Lawrence

In 2009 Lachie Holbery-Morgan achieved what no one in surf life saving had done before. At the annual Awards of Excellence he was awarded DHL Lifeguard of the Year and DHL Lifesaver of the year – rewarding him for his commitment and professionalism as both a paid lifeguard and volunteer lifesaver. LIFEGUARD roving reporter SARAH LAWRENCE chatted to Lachie about his change in professional career – but don’t worry he’s not lost to lifesaving. By Sarah Lawrence After being awarded Australian Surf Life Saver of the Year in 2009, Anglesea’s Lachie Holbery-Morgan has not stopped to slow down. The 26 year old has fulfilled his dream of becoming a paramedic this year as part of a training program while finishing his last two years of study. “I’ve found it to be a really humbling and rewarding experience. After life guarding for 8 years, to see things from a paramedic perspective has been incredible.” Holbery-Morgan is one of the most enthusiastic and dedicated life savers on the surf coast of Victoria. On the volunteer side he has dedicated hundreds of hours volunteering as Chief Instructor and now a Director of Rescue Services at the Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club. In his professional involvement, he completed his gold medallion at 18 then progressed to being a lifeguard, senior lifeguard and instructor for others wanting to complete their gold. He also was named 2008 Victorian Lifeguard of the Year. It only seemed natural to him to continue his passion for helping people by studying paramedics. 32 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

“I get great satisfaction from helping people – it’s the same with paramedics and life saving,” said Holbery-Morgan. There is so much to learn with it too. If you think you have learnt it all or enough, you are kidding yourself.” I was always interested in paramedics. I wanted to do it when I finished school however at the time you had to be older so I went to study science/geology at The University of Melbourne before changing over three years ago,” he said. He believes his life saving experience has put him in good stead for dealing with the high pressures of ambulance work. “With life saving, you learn and teach CPR as well as first aid with the hope that you will never have to do it. But with paramedics there is a frequency to use it more often and this has added a greater depth to my skills and knowledge. And just like lifeguarding, you work with one person for an extended period but it’s cool because everyone is like-minded.

“I enjoy the challenge. It is different every day, the clinical and analytical thinking.” Holbery-Morgan’s also attributes his love for the role of paramedic and lifeguard coming from liking to do things at a grass roots level. “I’d rather be on the beach patrolling or training Bronze groups than sitting in a board meeting,” he said. Having to work and live in Melbourne has not dampened Holbery-Morgan’s passion for the coast as he looks forward to continuing volunteer patrolling over summer. “On days off, I go back to Anglesea to get down the coast and relax. It’s like a mini holiday, I try to fit in as much as possible – swimming, riding and surfing. This year Anglesea won Surf Life Saving Club of the year so it’s a great place to be over summer,” he said.

new australian standards The new Australian Standard for water safety signs and beach safety flags has recently been released after industry wide consultation over more than eight years. ADAM WEIR, SLSA’s Coastal Risk Manager provides a short summary of the changes. For a complete copy of the latest Standards visit the SAI Global Info Store (http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store) and search for standard “2416” The Australian/New Zealand Standard 2416:2010 Water Safety Signs and Beach Safety Flags was released on 12 November 2010. This standard supersedes AS 2416:2002 and is an adoption, (with some national modifications), of ISO 207122:2007, Water Safety Signs and Beach Safety Flags, Part 2: Specifications for Beach Safety Flags – Colour, Shape, Meaning and Performance.

A/NZS 2416:2010 A/NZS 2416:2010 Symbol No. WSW015 Symbol No. WSW015 - Warning; Strong Warning; Strong currents currents (with diamond shaped background)

A/NZS 2416:2010 Symbol No. WSW015

The blue flags (indicate buffer zone Examples of beach flag for surf craft riders) will be replaced augmentation “feather” by black and white quarters (as shown in A/NZS 2416:2010.2 - page 9)

Summary of the major changes affecting lifeguard services • Black-white quartered flags will replace blue board riding buffer (boundary) flags • Feathered flags are now included in the standard • Triangles added to options for international symbol sign shapes (with diamonds) • New ‘Strong Currents’ warning symbol as a valid alternative to the ‘swimming not advised’ symbol • Symbols available specific to emergency management in the event of a tsunami are now available SLSA has developed an implementation plan to guide lifesaving and lifeguard services through the changes to ensure national consistency. Lifeguard Services with questions regarding the new standards should contact their SLS state office in the first instance or Adam Weir at SLSA.

It’s in black & white: Surfing flags no longer blue They’ve been a familiar sight on our beaches for many years, but a change in the Australian Standards recently released means the blue flags used to indicate a buffer zone for surf craft riders near the red and yellow flags will be replaced by black and white quarters next summer. It all comes down to standardisation with the rest of the world, and for 3,450 beaches around the world the blue flag represents a eco-label awarded based on compliance with 32 criteria covering the aspects of: Environmental Education and Information, Water Quality, Environmental Management and Safety and Services. Adam Weir, Coastal Risk Manager for Surf Life Saving Australia says the new standard to indicate a ‘surfboard and other water craft zone or boundary’ is important to get consistency internationally. “The adoption of the black and white quartered flag brings Australia into line with the rest of the world, making it easier for tourists and visitors to understand its meaning.” he said. Asked whether it would cause confusion in a country where the beach is at the heart of its culture and surfing is its blood, Mr Weir was confident the transition to the new flags would be unproblematic. “There may be some confusion initially, but since they are usually displayed in proximity to the red and yellow flags in conjunction with other information signage this confusion will hopefully be minimised.” He said. “By matching the rest of the world, the upside will be that visitors from other countries that comply with the International Standard will already know and understand what the black and white quartered flag signifies.” Weir advises that there will be a ‘teething period’ and that SLSA has a change management plan in place in which it will be working with lifesaving services, local councils and the surfing industry to ensure a smooth transition. “As the new black and white quartered flag is rolled out at locations around Australia there will be corresponding changes to any existing education materials that reference the superseded blue flag.” said Weir. “SLSA will be updating its flag related educational material to reflect the change as the black and white quartered flag is rolled out and will be advising other education providers to do the same. The blue flags should be phased out as they need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear. Any new ‘surfboard and other water craft zone or boundary’ flags should be black and white quartered.” Australian Lifeguard Service (NSW) Manager Andrew McIvor doesn’t think there’ll be a problem with the transition. “We’re not anticipating any issues from the new standard.” Said McIvor “Our lifeguards are tasked to communicate with beach goers as much as possible, it’s part of being a educational and preventative service in the first instance.” The new black and white quartered flags, including a version with a feather similar to that which has been adopted in the same Australian Standards release, is to be made available in the SLS Surf Shop (www.surfshop.slsa.com.au) as soon as possible. Both SLS services and Local Councils can purchase from the online Surf Shop and will be advised when they are available.

Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 33

science of the surf

the king of tides

By Dr Rob Brander Every year around Christmas there’s talk of mysterious ‘king tides’ that supposedly rush up the beach inundating hapless sunbathers and swamping coastal properties. It’s a bad rap. There’s nothing mysterious or dangerous about king tides. They are, however, very cosmic. The tide is something we very much take for granted. We all know the water comes up and goes down, but what exactly is it and why does it change every day and why is it important for beach safety? The answer to the first question is that the tide is a wave that has a crest (high tide) and a trough (low tide) just like any other wave. The big difference is that the tidal wave is not created by wind, like most of the waves we see, but by the gravitational pull that both the moon and the sun have on the water in the oceans. The moon orbits around the earth and creates a moving bulge of water by ‘pulling the water’ towards it. So now there’s a moving bulge of water on one side of the earth and due to the centrifugal force of the earth’s rotation (we’re spinning), there’s another bulge on the opposite side of the planet. So if you were standing on an island in the middle of the ocean, you’d experience 2 high tides and 2 low tides each day. Most of the Australian coast does indeed have 2 tides a day, but other coasts don’t because things like continents and islands get in the way, messing up the path of the tidal wave. You may also notice that the timing of the tides changes each day, usually by about 50 minutes. That’s because the earth’s rotation and the moon’s rotation around the earth are a little out of whack…by about 50 minutes each day. Then there’s the tide range, which is the vertical difference between high and low tide. You may have noticed that the high tide creeps a little higher on the beach each day until it starts retreating on a daily basis. This is where the sun comes in.

34 · Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011

Both the earth and the moon orbit around the sun. When the moon and the sun line up, their gravitational pull on the earth is combined and we get big tides called spring tides. The high tide comes up higher and the low tide goes out further (a big tide range). This happens during a full moon and a new moon, about every 2 weeks. When the moon and sun are lined up at right angles to the earth, their gravitational pull sort of cancels each other out and we get neap tides. The high tide doesn’t come up very far and the low tide doesn’t go out very far (a small tide range).

The good news is that all this stuff is totally predictable. We know exactly what the timing and height of a tide will be years in advance. The king tide is just a bigger spring tide that occurs when the moon and sun happen to be particularly close to the earth and that happens about twice a year. The maximum tide range on open surf beaches on the east coast is around 2 m. Once you get past Fraser Island however, it jumps up to more than 6m because the tidal wave gets squeezed between the Great Barrier Reef and the mainland. Broome in Western Australia has massive tides of over 9 m. That’s a lot of water moving around. The tide itself is not dangerous to swimmers on surf beaches. It really doesn’t generate any tidal currents except in the vicinity of inlets and river mouths where ‘tidal rips’ can be pretty strong. The tide does have a big impact on surf safety though. Most rips flow fastest around low tide because wave breaking is more intense due to the shallower water depths. Sometimes rips can be pretty benign and suddenly ‘switch on’ once the tide drops to a certain level. Most lifeguards have experienced the craziness that ensues when this happens! Waves can also start to ‘dump’ and ‘close out’ more towards low tide although this depends a lot on the shape of the particular beach and the patterns of sandbanks. The tide range also affects what a beach may look like. The bigger the tide range, the wider and flatter the beach will be and you’ll only find rips and bars at the seaward edge of the beach at low tide.

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BEACHSAFE iPhone Ap hits 50,000 downloads! The

6-9 MARCH 15th International Boating & Water Safety Summit, Savannah, Georgia, USA www.watersafetycongress.org/ibwss.shtml

BeachSafe App has taken off with over 200 downloads a day from iTunes. Now in its 2nd version, the app has every beach in Australia loaded into it via SLSA’s ABSAMP database and indicates patrolled beaches in realtime. Users can search for beaches near them and be guided to the nearest beach with lifesavers or lifeguards on duty. Version 3 will incorporate a host of new features guided by industry and user feedback.

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA RECRUITING. With nearly opposite seasons to most of Australia, the northern most lifeguard services (i.e. Broome and NT) have started recruiting for their peak season. Head to www.lifeguardnetwork.com.au and www.lifeguards.com.au for job advertisements. SLSA has shifted from their iconic Icebergs headquarters on Bondi Beach. The organisation’s chief executive, Brett Williamson, admits it was not a move that delighted everyone. ‘’It was a difficult one for staff, not having a surf, but they can certainly find a car park more easily,’’ he said. Mr Williamson said the increasing popularity of surf lifesaving had seen staff numbers grow to 40, too many for the Bondi offices. ‘’We outgrew it and did not have enough room to accommodate growth … It was just too cramped,’’ he said. The new premises, bought last year, have triple the space and while they are a fair drive from the beach, they are handy to the airport. New contact details: 789 Botany Road, Rosebery, NSW 2018 Ph (02) 9215 8000.

SURF Life Saving has launched a new Sunscreen range. “The reality is there are too many skin cancer deaths in Australia and with the right protection and screening methods put in place, many of these deaths are preventable.” says SLSA Medical Advisor Natalie Hood. The sunscreen is being sold through pharmacies throughout Australia and available to lifeguard service at a discount rate through the Surf Shop www. surfshop.com.au.

THIS summer SLSNZ is celebrating its centenary with the Summer of the Surf Lifeguard. From September 2010 – April 2011, surf life saving members all over New Zealand will join in a summer of events to mark 100 years of an iconic volunteering movement. www.100yearsofsurflifesaving.org.nz SIX Lifeguards in New Zealand are attempting a circumnavigation of New Zealand in two IRBs. For the last 12 months they have been trialling equipment, modifying engines and fuel bladders to create a stable craft that can endure 33 days at sea. For the team, it’s about connecting all the clubs of New Zealand, one country, one organisation and one centenary. They have a crew of six, four in two boats and two on land following them as support crew. They have allowed 40 days to complete the 33 days on water. THE New South Wales Government has included the placement of replica sharks between beaches from Newcastle and Wollongong to test the effectiveness of aerial surveillance.

22-23 MARCH Innovative Emergency Management Emerging strategies for improved resiliency, leadership & interoperability Citigate Central, Sydney www.innovativeem.com 28-30 MARCH “Speaking Out For Coastal Regions” 2011 Australian Coastal Councils Conference Torquay, Victoria www.seachangetaskforce.org.au/Conference.html 7-9 APRIL 8th International SPARK OF LIFE Conference Sheraton Hotel, Perth Western Australia www.resus.org.au NINTENDO Wii Winner! The winner of the Issue 4 Nintendo Wii competition for submitting content for the Mag was Joel Seaton, Avalon Beach, NSW.

The fakes will silhouette hammerheads. Spotters in a plane and a helicopter, both looking for real sharks, will also have to report sightings of the fakes using GPS coordinates. Meanwhile, the State Opposition has labelled the rubber shark spotting trial as ridiculous.

WORLD Conference on Drowning Prevention organisers have chosen USLA Medical Advisor and ILS Medical Committee member, Dr Peter Wernicki’s presentation, as the first keynote address to be announced. Dr Wernicki will address the recent evaluation of current lifesaving standards and strategies by the US Lifeguard Standards Coalition, via a paper he co-authored with David Markenson (American Red Cross) and Gerald DeMers (YMCA of USA) titled, Evidence Based Standards in Lifesaving: The Conclusions of the US Lifeguard Standards Coalition.

SLSA has a new Director of Lifesaving. Mark Fife from Queensland, who was previously the Lifesaving Director for SLSQ, will fill the role left vacant by Peter George who took up the role of Chief Operations Officer at SLSA in November last year. Lifeguard · Issue 5 Summer 2011 · 35

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