Lifesaving – Join the team that keeps Main Beach safe
Lifesaving
Why you should join lifesaving
Do good
Keep Main Beach safe for locals and day-trippers.
Belong
Join a friendly patrol family that has your back.
Grow skills
CPR, first aid, rescue, radios, teamwork, leadership.
Keep it doable
At a small club, ~1 patrol a month (about 5 hours) is typical and flexible.
Role for everyone
Strong swimmer or not, there’s a way to help (on the sand, in the water, or behind the scenes).
Role on the sand
Observer
What you do:
You’re the friendly eyes of the patrol. You scan constantly, read the beach and conditions, and help keep swimmers between the flags. You’ll chat with beachgoers about rips, stingers, tides and sun safety, and help shift the flagged area if conditions change.
On a typical patrol you’ll:
- Set up flags/signage and help position them for safest water depth and sandbanks
- Actively scan and “patrol the line,” calling in preventative actions early
- Chat with families about where to swim, conditions and sun/water safety
- Assist with minor first aid or support a rescue by clearing space and guiding bystanders
- Help log incidents and pack down at the end of shift
Great for you if: You’re people-focused, observant and happy on the sand.
First Aid
What you do:
You’re the calm pair of hands when someone needs care. From cuts, scrapes and stings to heat stress or slips on rocks—you assess, treat and reassure.
On a typical patrol you’ll:
- Set up the first aid area and check stocks (bandages, ice, saline, dressings)
- Assess patients (DRSABCD), treat minor injuries and monitor more complex presentations
- Manage stings, heat/cold illness and minor musculoskeletal injuries
- Keep clear notes for incident reports and handovers (to ambulance if required)
- Support rescues by preparing blankets, oxygen/defib or post-care resources
Great for you if: You like helping people, staying composed and following clinical steps.
Advanced Resuscitation (ART)
What you do:
You add the advanced to first aid—managing airways, oxygen, suction and defibrillation when seconds count. You’re the go-to for high-acuity incidents, working side-by-side with the Patrol Captain and coordinating with ambulance when needed.
On a typical patrol you’ll:
- Lead resus roles during an emergency (compressions, airway, defib, timekeeper)
- Administer oxygen for appropriate patients and manage airway adjuncts (as trained)
- Oversee post-incident clean-down, equipment checks and restock
- Provide concise handovers to paramedics and complete detailed reports
Great for you if: You’re steady under pressure and love crisp, clinical teamwork.
Radio Operator
What you do:
You’re the voice that keeps everything humming. You maintain clear, concise comms between the patrol, SurfCom and Support Operations, log key events, and keep everyone aligned during rescues and first aid incidents.
On a typical patrol you’ll:
- Conduct radio checks, monitor channels and maintain the patrol log
- Relay conditions updates, preventative actions and welfare checks
- Coordinate comms during incidents (locations, resources required, status updates)
- Record timings for resus/first aid and support handovers to emergency services
- Assist with beach closures/openings and message passing to the public
Great for you if: You’re organised, calm, and enjoy procedures and clear messaging.
Roles in the Water
Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) – Ages 13+
What it is:
The SRC is the first stepping stone into lifesaving. It introduces you to the essentials of surf awareness, rescues, and teamwork, and qualifies you to patrol in supervised roles or help with water safety at Nippers.
On a typical patrol you’ll:
- Assist with rescues using a rescue tube or board under supervision
- Provide water safety for Nippers and junior training groups
- Operate patrol equipment like radios and help set up the flagged area
- Support senior patrolling members during incidents and rescues
Training:
- About 30 hours of training
- Swim requirement: 200 m in 5 minutes (pool, continuous, freestyle)
- Includes CPR, radios, basic first aid, rescue techniques
Perfect for you if: You’re a teen ready to step up, love the water, and want a meaningful role in your community.
Bronze Medallion (Cert II Public Safety – Aquatic Rescue) – Ages 15+
What it is:
The Bronze Medallion is the core award that makes you a fully qualified surf lifesaver. It combines surf awareness, rescue techniques, first aid, radio comms and teamwork. Once you have your Bronze, you’re rostered as a patrolling member and can take on a wide range of roles.
On a typical patrol you’ll:
- Perform rescues using boards, tubes or by swimming
- Supervise the flagged area and take proactive safety measures
- Deliver first aid and CPR when needed
- Operate radios and assist in coordinating responses
Training:
- 40 hours of training
- Swim requirement: 400 m in 9 minutes (pool, continuous, freestyle)
- Includes advanced rescue techniques, resuscitation, radios, teamwork, beach management basics
Perfect for you if: You’re 15+ and ready for the full lifesaving experience.
Water Safety
What it is:
You’ll supervise kids in the water during Nippers or junior training sessions. Water Safety is critical to ensuring activities are safe, supportive and fun.
On a typical session you’ll:
- Swim alongside Nippers during board, swim or wade activities
- Encourage nervous kids and provide safety reassurance
- Intervene if a child gets into difficulty and support Age Managers
- Help set boundaries and equipment in the water
Great for you if: You enjoy mentoring young people, have patience and are confident in the surf.
Additional roles
- Age Manager / Assistant: Mentor junior age groups (training provided).
- Coach / Trainer: Help develop swimming/board/fitness skills or deliver award training.
- Surf Sports Official: Keep carnivals running safely and smoothly (local to state level).
- Events & Fundraising: BBQs, raffles, community days — essential for club life.
- Admin & Comms: Rosters, socials, grants, newsletters — big impact, low sand in shoes.
- Gear & Facilities: Checks, repairs, setup — heaven for list-lovers and fixers.
FAQs
Around one patrol per month (about 4–5 hours). Rosters are set pre-season and swaps are fine.
No. Start on Observer, First Aid or Radio while you build water confidence (if you want to).
Yes — with the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC). At 15+, go for the Bronze Medallion.
If you’re 18+ and volunteering with youth (Nippers/teens), yes — plus child-safe training. No card, no start.
Volunteer patrols generally run September–April on weekends and public holidays.
Yes — every patrolling member completes annual Skills Maintenance (proficiency); upskilling happens year-round.