SV12 - Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessment

Purpose

To ensure that Lifeguards are physically fit enough to perform the required tasks and to provide a measure of safety should an emergency occurs that requires physical ability.

Description

Individual Lifeguards should maintain themselves in a physically and mentally fit condition; fit people are more capable of handling stressful situations.

Lifeguards must be able to operate in a variety of situations; the aquatic environment being the most demanding and unforgiving therefore; constant personal training in this field is required.

Students who are enrolled in a nationally recognised pool lifeguard skill set, or units of competency that make up that skill set, are required to demonstrate their fitness, strength, efficiency and speed when performing a range of rescue-based assessments

Lifeguards working in a seasonal pool should undertake a Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessment (organised and managed by the owner or manager of the aquatic location) prior to the start of the season and one at least every six months thereafter until the close of the season.

All other persons employed as a lifeguard should participate in a minimum of two Lifeguard Fitness Assessment (organised and managed by the owner or manager of the aquatic location) per year (approximately every 6 months and no longer than 9 months apart).

Pool Lifeguard Fitness Requirements

Refer to  Summary of Requirements | Royal Life Saving Society - Australia

Assessment Guidelines

The Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessment should be conducted under the following conditions:

• The Swimming Pool must be a standard length of 25m or 50m to ensure the correct distance is completed

A Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessment should be conducted by:

• An Assessor who is either employed by an RTO or acting under the registration of an RTO; or (An Assessor is a person who satisfies the requirements for assessors as outlined in the Standards for RTO’s 2015- Clause 1.13 to 1.16 or current equivalent standards)
• A registered Swim Coach or Official; or
• The owner or manager of an Aquatic Facility (or their delegate)

The person assessing the Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessment should document:

• The name and signature of the Lifeguard undertaking the assessment
• The date / time and location of the assessment
• The conditions under which the assessment took place
• The result and times of the Pool Lifeguard Fitness Tests
• The name and signature of the assessor

Records of a Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessment should be kept by the Registered Training Organisation (if assessed under assessment conditions).

Where the assessment is conducted as part of currency testing the employer of the lifeguard and the Pool Lifeguard should maintain records in a Pool Lifeguard Training Log Book (or similar).

If a pool Lifeguard is unable to meet the requirements of a Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessment, the following steps should be taken:

• A review of the Pool Lifeguards training / employment program
• Develop and Implementation of support mechanisms
• Reassessment within a 30 day period

If he or she is not competent on two successive attempts, they should not be permitted to conduct lifeguard duties until they meet the required Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessment.

Reference

• RLSSA Pool Lifeguard Training Manual 4th Edition
• SU6 Lifeguard Health and Fitness 14 November 2005
• International Lifesaving Federation Pool Lifeguard
• SISSS00111 - Pool Lifeguard skill set – Sport and Recreation Training Package

Form / Template

• Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessment Form