Become a Lifesaver
Imagine spending your weekends saving lives and enjoying the beach. A surf lifesaver is a trained volunteer who patrols beaches with a mission to keep everyone safe. Becoming one is not only satisfying but also exhilarating and incredibly rewarding. You’ll perform thrilling aquatic rescues, provide vital first aid and emergency care, and educate the public on surf safety.
Dive in and make a difference!
Join the Red and yellow army
Community
Step up to the challenge of keeping our beaches safe and become an integral part of our community.
Education
Utilise excellent facilities and resources and participate in courses such as Bronze Medallion and First Aid.
Get fit
Enjoy recreational activities and improve physical fitness.
Personal Development
Develop teamwork abilities and expand your network.
How to become a Lifesaver
The Bronze Medallion Certificate II in Public Safety, or the Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC), is the essential qualification for anyone wishing to become an active surf lifesaver. To achieve this certification, you must be at least 15 years old (13 years old for SRC) and successfully complete our comprehensive training course.
This course covers vital skills in surf awareness, survival techniques, patrol and rescue procedures, emergency care, and an understanding of human anatomy and physiology. The Ellis Beach Surf Life Saving Club provides exceptional training under the guidance of qualified instructors who will ensure you reach the required proficiency levels.
Upon completing your training, you will undergo physical fitness assessments that include a run-swim-run test: a 200m run, followed by a 200m swim, and another 200m run, all to be completed within 8 minutes (SRC requires a 100m run, 100m swim, and another 100m run within 5 minutes). Additionally, you will be tested on theoretical knowledge, basic resuscitation, and first aid. You will also participate in a simulated rescue exercise using a rescue board and rescue tube, which will prepare you to function effectively as part of a patrol team, ensuring safety and emergency response readiness on the beach.
Become a part of our amazing team!
Bronze Medallion
Course Overview
The aim of this course is to provide participants with skills and knowledge related to surf awareness, aquatic rescue operations, radio operations, resuscitation, emergency care, spinal management, communication, teamwork and Surf Life Saving patrol operations. This award includes and builds upon the SLSA Surf Rescue Certificate, and it is the prerequisite award for many other SLS pathway awards.
It is recommended for SLS members who wish to:
- perform in the role of a qualified lifesaver after the age of 15 years
- participate in SLS surf sports competitions which require them to be proficient in the Bronze Medallion as a prerequisite condition
- progress through the SLS Aquatic Rescue or Powercraft award pathway.
Surf Rescue Certificate
Course Overview
The aim of this course is to provide participants with skills and knowledge related to surf awareness, aquatic rescue operations, communication systems and equipment and resuscitation.
It is recommended for SLS members who wish to:
- perform in the role of SLS water safety personnel
- take on a lifesaving cadetship and join a lifesaving patrol.
Other Pathways
Are you looking for a way to make a meaningful contribution to your community?
Interested in becoming a Lifesaver but unsure about water rescues? We have opportunities for you.
Become part of our patrolling teams, click the button below and ask our Chief Training Officer about your options!
Drone Pilots
Radio Operators
