Education
Courses are conducted both by Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore SLSC as well as
Far North Coast Branch SLSNSW.
Where the course is conducted within the Club, information will be provided through email to members, newsletters to members and shown under the ‘Latest News’ section of the Club webpage.
Through our club Trainers and Branch Assessors and Facilitators, training and education is delivered for our members for all awards under the Australian Lifesaving Academy NSW.
Through the SLSNSW Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) (Training and Assessment Division) we maintain a high standard of quality and uphold compliance with the VET Quality Framework. SLSNSW are a Registered Training Organisation.
Training
Ballina Lighthouse & Lismore SLSC offers members the opportunity to complete a range of courses, including:
- Surf Rescue Certificate, Radio Operator
- Bronze Medallion/Cert 11 in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue),
- Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Crewman and Driver
- ATV Operator Induction
Our Education team can also assist members to register and prepare for the following the awards conducted by FNC Branch conducts the following courses including:
- Advanced Resuscitation Techniques (AID)
- First Aid (AID)
- Silver Medallion Advance First Aid
- Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue
- Silver Medallion Beach Management
- Rescue watercraft (RWC) Operator
- Training Officer Certificate and Assessor Certificate
For enquiries regarding any course please contact our Director Education & Training via email
For course overview, pre-requisites, RPL (if applicable) and more, visit Lifesaving Awards and refer to the course of your interest
Skills Maintenance
Skills maintenance is an important part of a lifesavers training. Each year lifesavers are required to complete a theory and practical component, testing their knowledge and skills to ensure they continue to meet the standards set out in the awards they hold and that they are up to date with the latest updates that have occurred in the past 12months.
At the commencement of the new season members will automatically be allocated the current skills Maintenance course – it will appear in the ‘My Training’ area of the eLearning platform. The Director of Education & Training will notify members when this is live and ready to be completed.
Once the theory component has been completed members will be able to attend a practical component – The Director of Education & Training will notify members of dates and times for these practical components.
Members can continue to access the theory component throughout the season to refresh their knowledge as required.
To access the online theory components, follow these instructions:
- Login to your Members Area
- Click “eLearning” on the top menu
- Click “Login to eLearning now
Browse available courses in the ‘Training Library’ section. Click ‘Enrol’ to access the course.
To access courses that you have been automatically assigned or have enrolled in following the instructions above, including your annual skills maintenance update, select ‘My Training’ from the menu which will be located on the left of your screen.
Courses are broken into modules and these can be completed at your own pace. To return to a course currently in progress select ‘My Training’ and select the course you wish to continue with.
For assistance email education@ballinasurfclub.com.au
Bronze Medallion (BM) and Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC)
The SRC is the minimum qualification required to become an Active Surf Life Saver and/or perform Water Safety for nipper activities. You must be a minimum of 13 years of age on completion of the SRC course and 15 for BM.
Candidates for BM/SRC will need to complete online training through their SLSA Members Account (available for all members). Much training for BM and SRC has shifted to self-paced eLearning supplemented by practical sessions.
During the practical sessions you will develop skills in:
- Signals
- Radios
- Resuscitation
- Defibrillator use
- Rescues and Patrols
On successfully gaining your Bronze Medallion or SRC, members have the option to attain further nationally recognised awards to increase skills and/or confidence. Including; Advanced Resuscitation Techniques, Inflatable Rescue Boat Crew/Driver, Spinal Management and even become…. a trainer!!!!
In U14s Nippers are encouraged to complete their Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC). It is not a pre-requisite to be a Nipper to complete the SRC. This course provides participants with the skills for basic patrolling and surf awareness. The SRC course is normally completed over 6 weeks with dry training for a couple of hours one evening and wet training for a couple of hours at the weekend.
U14 members attend an SRC camp at the start of the nippers season to attain this lifesaving qualification.
Requirements
Candidates must meet the following conditions:
- be at least 13 years of age on the date of final assessment; and
- have passed the U14 swim proficiency.
Nippers who complete the SRC can act as water safety for younger age groups and join patrols on Lighthouse Beach.
To find out more talk to your Age Manager.
Some questions you may be already thinking of
How long does it take to get your bronze?
We offer an intensive Bronze and SRC courses which can be completed quite quickly for those with busy lifestyles and/or prior knowledge. The online portion of your training can be completed right now.
Concerned about your swimming level ?
Lots of people are concerned that they can’t swim well enough to complete their SRC or Bronze Medallion. The swim requirement is for average swimmers, not elite. Get in the pool or the sea and time yourself, you’ll be surprised at how achievable the times are. Also consider that you will practice the swims many times before you sit your exam. This is usually enough to gain the confidence necessary to do the swims.
Will I have to patrol and what is the commitment ?
Once you complete your SRC or Bronze Medallion you can be introduced to patrols, or participate in Water Safety coverage. If you would like to assist at nippers, this is a very valuable way. Water Safety is critical to the nippers program.
Patrolling at Lighthouse Beach BLLSLSC is a rewarding community service. With patrol comes a sense of satisfaction that you are helping the community amongst other positive benefits. The commitment for patrol is approximately 6 hours per month between September and April. Patrol teams are good fun, and are very flexible. Members are able to swap in and out of patrols in order to balance their community service with their personal lives. Some patrol is better than no patrol.
Note from someone who has completed the course
Do not to get overwhelmed by some of the requirements of the bronze medallion. If at all concerned do not give up now. Come down to the club and talk to the trainers about your concerns, that is what they are there for and they will coach through every step of the way.
Check the Membership Price List to see what fee you should be paying e.g. General, Associate, Junior or Active.