Lifeguard Development

Becoming a lifeguard is just the first step on the lifeguard pathway.

There are many different options for you to upskill and work your way to becoming a senior or advanced lifeguard. SLSNZ also offers fun development opportunities for our lifeguards, such as the Intermediate and National Lifeguard schools. You need to meet the qualification prerequisites to attend these development schools.

There is the option of becoming a professional lifeguard. Regional Lifeguarding can be a great summer job, especially for high school and university students. Successful lifeguards have the opportunity to be employed at a number of beaches along our coastline, including Omanu Beach. Employment can range from a few days as a casual relief lifeguard, through to the full school holiday period. The more qualifications you hold, the more likely you are to be successful in gaining a Regional Lifeguard position.

Check out the course outlines below for more information.

If you have any queries contact courses@omanubeach.co.nz

Lifeguard Skills Course Information

Radio Operators

Great next step after completing your lifeguard award, essential for IRB, Patrol Captains and Instructors awards. Fantastic opportunity to up skill and does not have to be refreshed.

Omanu Beach SLSC occasionally will hold a Radio Operators course (dependent on sponsorship). Information on these courses will be posted here on this website page and through communication channels such as the club newsletter and Omanu Lifeguards Facebook group.

Otherwise, you can complete this course through Coastguard with both classroom and online options available. For more information, please visit the Coastguard website here.

If you complete your award outside of a course hosted by Omanu Beach SLSC, please make sure you email a scanned copy of your certificate to admin@omanubeach.co.nz so that your qualification can be entered into the SLSNZ database.

Board Rescue Module

Awesome opportunity to further lifeguarding skills. Focus on paddling, conscious and unconscious patient rescues. Performing a board rescue, is often a much faster option to get to your patient than a tube rescue.

This is a short course which can be completed in just a few hours, dependent on rescue board ability.

Omanu Beach SLSC will run Board Module courses throughout the season. Information on these courses will be posted here on this website page and through communication channels such as the club newsletter and Omanu Lifeguards Facebook group.

Senior Lifeguard Award - Patrol Captains Course

A one day course that provides the skills and knowledge that is required to be a Patrol Captain, an excellent course to increase leadership within the Patrols.

Prerequisites: 16 years old, 2 years of patrolling experience, current First Aid Level One, and Radio Operators.

This course is run through SLSNZ. In the Bay or Plenty Region, this course is normally held twice a year. However, you are welcome to travel to other regions (e.g Coromandel) to attend a course elsewhere. For information on upcoming course dates and to register please visit the SLSNZ Calendar here

Instructors Award - Surf Lifeguard

A course for people who want to teach new lifeguards and contribute to the future of the club. Learn how to plan lessons and teach effectively.

Prerequisites: 16 years old, and current First Aid Level One .

There are two components to this award. Candidates must attend a one day Instructors Training course run through SLSNZ, plus successfully put through four Surf Lifeguard Award candidates. You will receive full support from the Omanu Beach Instructing team.

If you are interested in becoming an instructor contact omanucourses@gmail.com

Examiners Award - Surf Lifeguard

The next step for instructors who want to further their qualifications and be able to run and examine the Surf Lifeguard Awards.

Prerequisites: 18 years old, Instructors Award- Surf Lifeguard

At Omanu Beach SLSC, we encourage all our instructors to develop into examiners.

National Lifeguard School / Advanced Lifeguard Award

A three day course that combines dynamic theory sessions with a number of intensive practical and scenario based activities extending participants both physically and mentally. If this course is successfully completed the Advanced Lifeguard Award is given which is the highest qualification a Lifeguard can get.

Prerequisites: 17 years old, patrolled for at least 3 seasons, IRB drivers, Patrol Captains award, Radio Operators, swim 800m in under 14 minutes, run 3km in under 20 minutes, Current First Aid Level Two and must have endorsement from the club.

This course is run through SLSNZ. If you wish to attend this course, you must complete the application process. When applications open for the current season, information will be posted through communication channels such as the club newsletter and Omanu Lifeguards Facebook group.

First Aid Course Information

First Aid Level 1,2,3 Refresher – November 26th 2017 (Mt Maunganui SLSC)

PHEC – Level 3 – January 12-14th 2018

For other course dates at other clubs check out the Pacific Medicare website here

To register for any of these courses or for any enquiries please email courses@omanubeach.co.nz

First Aid Level One

A two day introductory first aid course covering basic first aid, CPR, oxygen and an introduction to defibrillation. All patrolling lifeguards should hold this qualification.

At Omanu Beach SLSC, we include the First Aid Level One qualification as part of our Surf Lifeguard Award course.

First Aid Level Two

This one day course builds on the skills learnt in the First Aid Level One course, including; common medical conditions , great depth into defibrillation, introduction to spinal injuries, and patient transport.

Prerequisites: 15 years of age, SLSNZ First aid Level One

First Aid Level Three (PHEC)

This 3 day course refines all of the skills already learnt in the previous first aid levels plus extends the lifeguard in their knowledge of drowning physiology, and assessment of non-fatal drowning, scene management, advanced monitoring (Pulse oximetry, blood glucose, chest auscultation) and triage.

Prerequisites: 17 years of age, SLSNZ First Aid Level One and Two

First Aid Refresher

This one day course refreshers your current first aid level (One, Two or Three). You will be able to learn any updated information since your last course and hone your skills.

Your first aid qualifications need to be refreshed every two years to remain current.

How often do I need to refresh my First Aid Certificate?

You First Aid certificate is valid for 2 years and 3 months. This is so you can remain up to date with any changes.

When it is time to refresh you can either complete a refresher or you can upskill to the next first aid level, which will refresh your previous levels. For example, when it is time to refresh your First Aid Level One, you can complete the First Aid Level Two course which will refresh your First Aid Level One.

My First Aid certificate has expired, do I need to start all over again?

You do not need to start all over again, but you will need to complete the full course version of the highest first aid level that you held. For example, if you let your First Aid Level Three (PHEC) expire, then you just need to complete the full PHEC course again. You do not need to complete your First Aid Level One and Two again.

I already hold a First Aid qualification, can I cross-credit?

Sometimes it is possible to cross-credit your qualifications, this depends on your level of First Aid.

If you have completed a PHEC course or higher then, absolutely yes you can! Please send a copy of your certificate to admin@omanubeach.co.nz so that it can be entered into the database.

If you have completed a two day workplace first aid course – NZQA Unit Standards 6400, 6401, 6402. then there is the possibility of being able to complete a short course to get you up to SLSNZ First Aid Level One. The SLSNZ First Aid Level One includes oxygen therapy and drowning which is not covered in the workplace certificate.

If you have completed the one day workplace first aid course – NZQA Unit Standards 25661 and 25662 then this is NOT sufficient to cross-credit over. So you will need to complete the SLSNZ courses.

Please contact omanucourses@gmail.com for more information

How do I find out my first aid level and expiry date?

You can see all your qualifications including expiry dates by logging into the SLSNZ phone app or portal here.

Your log in details should be;
username = firstname.lastname
password = lastnameYYYY(year of brith)

If your log in is not working, please contact admin@omanubeach.co.nz

IRB Course Information

Please note that as of 2018 all lifeguards must hold an IRB qualification to crew or drive an IRB (unless training with a qualified IRB instructor).

To register for any of the IRB courses please complete the online registration here
If you have any queries please contact courses@omanubeach.co.nz

IRB Crewperson’s Courses

Due to recent changes in SLSNZ’s IRB policy requiring all lifeguards to hold at least a crew persons module qualification in order to be in an IRB on the water we will be running two options for the IRB crewperson’s course.
For more information on pre-requisites for these course please see tabs below.

Option One: IRB crew progression

This course will teach lifeguards all they need to know in order to safely crew an IRB with added extension to enable easier progression into the IRB drivers course. This is the preferred option for all those who wish to gain their IRB drivers in the future and / or wish to become regional lifeguards.

Candidates must attend all training sessions including the IRB development camp in Pauanui

Session 1: Sunday 01 July 2018 9am to 12pm at Omanu Beach
Session 2: Sunday 07 July 2018 9am to12pm at Omanu Beach
Lifeguard development camp Pauanui: 6pm Friday 13 July to 2pm Sunday15 July at Pauanui. The crewpersons exam will be on the Sunday at Pauanui

Cost: $30 plus accommodation costs tbc
You will receive further information upon registration.

Option Two: IRB Crewpersons module only

This course will teach lifeguards all they need to know in order to safely crew an IRB. This course is aimed at those lifeguards who have no intention of proceeding onto the IRB drivers qualification in the future and are purely undertaking the qualification to be able to crew in an IRB whilst on patrol.

This course will be held over two days:
Saturday 21 July 10am to 2pm at Omanu
Sunday 22 July 10am- 12pm – exam at Omanu
Cost $20

IRB Driver’s Training

Drivers will need to attend at least 10 out of 13 training sessions at Omanu in order to attend the IRB development camp / IRB drivers exam at Raglan. Drivers are also strongly encouraged to attend the IRB development camp at Pauanui in which they will be able to complete the first component (theory test) of their exam as well as gain valuable experience from a range of the top instructors in Eastern Region.

Training will be held on Sundays at Omanu Beach from 9am to 12pm starting Sunday 26 June through to Sunday 23 September.
Lifeguard development camp Pauanui: 6pm Friday 13 July to 2pm Sunday15 July at Pauanui.
Lifeguard development camp / exam Raglan: 28 – 30 September, more details to come.

Cost:$50 plus accommodation costs tbc

To register please complete the online registration here
For any queries please email courses@omanubeach.co.nz

IRB Crew Persons Module

The first step along the IRB development pathway. Perfect qualification for junior lifeguards. Involves general IRB components such as patient rescues and IRB care.

Prerequisites: Surf Lifeguard Award

Senior Lifeguard Award - IRB Driver

An awesome course for people who want to drive IRB’s. You’ll learn how to operate the IRB in patrolling conditions and will be an asset to the club. IRB Drivers will help you to gain a paid Regional Lifeguard position during the summer holidays. It is also a required qualification for National Lifeguard School.

Prerequisites: 16 years old, IRB Crew persons and Radio operators.

Instructors Award - IRB

A course for people who want to teach IRB crew persons and drivers and contribute to the future development of the club. Learn how to teach the practical and theoretical components to IRB operation.

Prerequisites: 18 years old, IRB drivers award and current Level 1 First Aid.

Examiners Award - IRB

A course for Instructors who want to further their qualifications to be able to run and examine the Surf Lifeguard Awards.

Prerequisites: 18 years old, Instructors Award- IRB, Senior Lifeguard Award- IRB Driver.

IRB FAQ's

What do I need to do to complete the IRB drivers qualification?

You need to be 16 years old.
Have completed the IRB Crewperson’s Module and Radio Course.
Log at least 20 hours with an IRB instructor.
Complete and pass both the theory and practical exam components.

Am I able to train for both my IRB Crewperson's module and my IRB Drivers at the same time?

Yes, as long as you meet all the requirements for the IRB Drivers qualification and complete the IRB Crewperson’s module before the IRB Drivers exam.

What if I don't have my Radio Certificate?

You need to complete the Radio operators course before you sit any part of the IRB Drivers exam.

What if I can't make the training days?

Get in touch with the Omanu IRB Instructors to see if we can sort out something that works.