Portreath Surf Life Saving Club

Normal Operating Procedure (SOP)

Description

Surf life saving, is a multi-disciplined activity with the aims of training and educating participants from the age of seven years with the skills to save a life on the beach and in ocean. Participants often join to compete in the surf life saving competitions which is predominantly the disciplines of beach running, surf swimming, paddle boarding and surf ski, both of short and long distance. Activities generally take place at a beach and in the ocean, but sessions can be run on inland water and also on rivers during the winter months. Due to the activity being undertaken in the surf zone or open ocean, comprehensive safety measures must be in place in order to prevent an incident or deal with one should it occur.

Coach Requirements

Lead Coaches for Portreath SLSC are required to hold a current SLSGB Level 2 Coach Award or a Trainer Assessor Coach Award and must be supported by a Level 1 Coach or members working towards a NGB coaching qualification. The sessions must be supported by a qualified Surf Lifeguard to whose position is to establish it is safe to run the training session and to provide safety cover.

All coaches will be aware of the Portreath SLSC Child Protection Policy/Safeguarding Policy and will be DBS checked.

All coaches will be aware of the Portreath SLSC Safety Policy & Risk Assessment, SOP and EAP.

All coaches must behave in a suitable manner, adhering to safe practice at all times with the aim of providing quality coaching for the participants.

Coaches will be smart, punctual and when possible will wear branded coached uniform at all times.

Coaches will be expected to take a common sense approach, behaving in a safe manner at all times.

Medical, Swim and fitness requirements

Participants are required to be a full member of Portreath SLSC with SLSGB insurance and to have completed a membership application in full.

New members are allowed 3 taster sessions but must complete a day membership form.

Participants must be able to swim 50m unaided confidently. Coaches must be aware of the swimming ability, general fitness, and water confidence of the participants prior to proceeding with surf life saving activities. This will be identified on the membership application; any concerns will be raised with the participant privately. Participants must be in good health and good physical condition to take part, free from any injuries and or medical conditions that would endanger them, the coach or any other individual. The coach must be made aware of any participant medical conditions; any necessary medication will be placed in the emergency dry bag at waters edge during the activity.

Age requirements

A minimum age of 7 years is required for surf life saving activities.

Risk assessment

Details of risks involved with surf life saving are recorded within the Portreath SLSC Safety Policy & Risk Assessment. A dynamic risk assessment of the sea conditions, weather conditions and groups ability must be conducted prior to the start of every activity to ensure safety at all times. The SLSGB Training Risk Assessment Form must be completed prior to all scheduled club training sessions.

Register

A register (attendance) must be taken prior to any scheduled club training session; this is to include names and number of participants and name and number of coaches in attendance.

Coach and participants safety brief

A safety brief is to be preformed prior to every surf life saving activity as detailed in the Portreath SLSC Safety Brief & Introduction document.

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

The Portreath SLSC Surf Life Saving Emergency Action Plan details the procedure should an emergency occur during the activity, it is essential that the following are aware of the procedure:

The coach

Any coaches or club officers on the shore

The lifeguard service on the beach if applicable

The Club Captain/Vice Captain with daily responsibility

Ratios

A coach to participants’ ratio is 1:10, this ratio is be adjusted down for certain groups or activities based on ability and sea conditions. Activities with participants under the age of eighteen years with have a minimum of two coaches, 2:10 ratio. An activity involving a surf ski or paddleboard outside of the surf zone/line of sight of the lifeguard service or lifesaving club will require a ration of 2:10.

Coach/Qualified Persons Qualifications Matrix

Essential Qualifications	Essential Competences	Additional beneficial awards
SLSGB Level 2 Coach	Level 2 Coach Award	Trainer Assessor Coach SLSGB Sport Skills Awards
SLSGB Beach Lifeguard Award	Surf Competence/SLSGB Sport Skills Award	SLSGB Coach Level 1 SLSGB Coach Level 2 SLSGB Instructor
SLSGB Surf Life Saving Award/Surf Coach Lifesaving Award	Board Competence/SLSGB Sport Skills Award
DBS checked	Ski Competence/SLSGB Sport Skills Award
SLSGB full member with insurance	Surfboat Competence/SLSGB Sport Skills Award

Checking PPE & Safety Equipment

All PPE and Equipment should be checked at the point of issue for any defects. It is a coach’s responsibility to ensure that the participant has suitable PPE for the sea and weather conditions and high light any damage and ill-fitting sizes.

All equipment should be checked on return to ensure no damage has been sustained during the activity.

Damaged equipment must be reported to the Club Captain or Gear Steward so that it can be recorded, checked and repaired.

Portreath SLSC operates a Equipment Checking, Maintenance & Recording Procedure.

Coach PPE & Safety Equipment

Full length wetsuit (3mm +) or suitable wet gear for the sea conditions

Whistle

Rescue board

Rescue tube

Mobile phone and/or Handheld VHF radio

Signal flags

First Aid kit & Pocket Mask

Dry Bag, including any medication

Buoyancy Aid/Personal Floatation Device for Open Ocean/River surf ski paddling (outside of the surf zone/line of sight of the lifeguard service or lifesaving club).

Towline/Throwline, Marine Knife and Day/Night flare for Open Ocean/River surf ski paddling (outside of the surf zone/line of sight of the lifeguard service or lifesaving club).

Participant PPE & Equipment

Full length wetsuit (3mm +) or suitable wet gear for the sea conditions

Boots (optional/seasonal)

Club Cap for Nippers

Buoyancy Aid/Personal Floatation Device for Open Ocean/River surf ski paddling (outside of the surf zone/line of sight of the lifeguard service or lifesaving club).

Buddy System

It is recommended participants will group together in pairs to carry equipment to waters edge, making carrying easier in windy conditions and for those that cannot reach around the widest part of the equipment.

Pre-departure communications, late back and overdue

Before setting out on an open ocean/river session the coach should communicate with the Club Captain/Vice Captain with the daily responsibility, the beach lifeguard service or a competent person who could raise the alarm if they believe the group is overdue. Pre-departure the following information should be communicated:

Name of Organisation

Number of participants/coaches/total number

Time and place of departure/arrival

Route to be taken

Contact details of group

Name of coach

Vehicle details (make & registration)

Feedback, debrief and lessons learnt

There should be an opportunity for each participant to feedback his or her thoughts on the session in a discreet way.

Coaches should be able to feedback and review the session and have the opportunity to learn from sessions and deal with any specific issues.

Awards & Qualifications

A participant on joining the club will be given the necessary training in order to obtain a Competence/Skills Award/National Surf Safety Award. It is essential that a surf competence/skill award is completed before training can be started on the surf craft i.e. paddleboard and surf ski. The club has a goal and aim to train everyone in surf life saving and it is hoped that the club can train participants to the standard of the surf life saving award or the beach lifeguard award.

Coach pre-season safety brief and acknowledgement of documentation

It will be a requirement of Portreath SLSC for coaches to attend a meeting on safety and safeguarding and acknowledge they have read and understand the club policies and procedures.

Use of club equipment outside of a scheduled club training session

Club Kit can only be used outside of the training sessions if you are over the age of 18, hold a current and valid award for the activity together with a Lifesaving award, and all the Risk Assessments have been completed.

If you are over 16 and if under 18 you must be accompanied by a member who is 18 or over and holds a current Lifesaving award and valid award for the activity and Risk Assessment completed.

Any damage to equipment needs to be recorded and the Gear Steward notified.

If you are taking kit off the beach to another SLSGB training session or competition, first ask permission from the Gear Steward, then please remember that you or your parent are responsible for the kit, care needs to be taken when loading on your vehicle.

No club equipment is to be taken out of the club at any other time!!!

SLSGB Insurance does not cover you taking part in Non-accredited Training Sessions or Events. Please check that the provider has Insurance in place.

The Club Kit record book need to be completed outside of club activities.