Annual retests protocols for 2010

Please note the following general comments – to Regional Chief Examiners, Assessors/Examiners and Clubs

We must not lose sight of the main reason we conduct a retest. It is to ensure that we maintain that necessarily high standard that being voluntary lifeguards demands of us. We must all continually be aware of this standard and each of us, whether Lifeguard, Instructor, Examiner or Assessor, must individually strive, regardless of what others may say, to keep this standard consistently high, both in our own practice and in that which we pass on to others.

 I say again, that it is of no consolation to the victim, their family, or us as members of this Association to look for excuses should needless tragedy occur. I will stress to you that the retest is a very important and serious part of us maintaining our standards as Voluntary Lifeguards ensuring our high level of preparedness necessary to carry out the voluntary duties that are the prime reason for being a Lifeguard in this Association.

As the Assessors/Examiners of the whole of Lifesaving in South Africa we have certain and unique responsibility to ensure that the candidates we assess, examine and/or retest are competent in the award that we are assessing them for and are able to fulfil their voluntary duty obligations to the best standard possible. This we must do without fear or favour to the candidate and knowing full well that if our candidate fails in maintaining our standards, then not only have we failed as well, but we have the responsibility for any results of that failure.

The retest cut-off is 30th November each year, preceding the busy period of the end year holidays.

Retests are to be conducted only by qualified Assessors and/or Examiners who are registered with their Regional Association and LSA and either attended the last CPR update during 2006/2007 or have qualified as assessors/examiners during 2007/2009. Would Regional Chief Examiners please ensure that no persons are allowed to participate in conducting retests unless they meet these criteria.

Wherever possible all retests are to be conducted by a neutral Assessor/Examiner. Should this not be possible, permission to proceed must first be obtained from the Regional Chief Examiner before going ahead with the retest

The retest protocol laid out following is the minimum required by the National Association.

 

    Should Regional Chief Examiners wish to add to this they can of course do so, as long as

              they have the support of their Regional Association/Clubs.

 

 

Activity

Discipline

 

Lifeguard Award

 

 

Junior Lifeguard Award

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signals

All disciplines

 

All signals

pp 55-60

 

All signals excluding Helicopter

pp 55-60 excl 59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swim

Pool

 

Pool Swim

 

 

Pool Swim

 

 

 

 

100m in 2 minutes

 

 

100m in 2 minutes

 

 

Surf and Open Water

 

Run/ Swim/ Run

 

 

Run/ Swim/ Run

 

 

 

 

200/300/200m in < 10 mins *1

 

 

200/200/200m < 10 mins *1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rescue

Surf and Open Water

 

RTB or Rescue Tube recovery  of conscious patient (30-50m), Secure and return to shore,

1 man drag to recovery position

P35-36 & p104

 

RTB or Rescue Tube recovery  of conscious patient (30-50m), Secure and return to shore,

1 man drag to recovery position

Pp35-36 & p104 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pool

 

Straddle jump to pool, retrieve conscious patient at 20m from start and return to start. Immediately swim 20m and recover manikin from depth at least 1,8m. Secure  and return to pool edge using correct tow and carry, in 2 minutes or less

Patient may not assist at all

 

 

Rescue Tube Rescue (20m)

Straddle jump to pool, swim 20m to patient and secure into tube. Return to entry point.

Patient may only assist by kicking

 

Rescue

All disciplines

 

patient immobilisation in water,

 

 

patient immobilisation in water

 

 

 

 

transfer to spinal board and secure,

pp 123-126

 

head splint - airway maintenance

pp 122-123

 

 

 

remove from water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPR

All disciplines

 

1 man on adult and baby manikin

pp 101-103

 

1 man on adult manikin

pp 101-103

 

 

 

2 man on adult manikin

p 114

 

 

 

 

 

 

demonstrate vomit drill and recovery position*2

p 104

 

demonstrate vomit drill and recovery position*2

p 104

 

Page references are from "LSA Instruction Manual - revised edition 2006

 

NOTES *1 Assessors may make reasonable allowances for difficult surf conditions
2  -  retest candidates to demonstrate on each other