Beach Lifeguard

QUALIFICATIONS

While the above qualification is the minimum requirement for this post, the following Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) qualifications would also be desirable: • Cardiac First Responder • Emergency First Responder • Occupational First Aid

Relevant experience in relation to the post would be an advantage.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT

Main Duties

• Beach lifeguards will be responsible for the performance of their duties and will work under the immediate supervision of the Water Safety Development Officer or their nominee.

• Beach Lifeguards shall read, be familiar with and adhere to the Safety Statement for Beachguards; participate in induction training and co-operate with other safety training provided by the Council as required. Any issues of health and safety concern shall be referred to the Water Safety Development Officer, the Area Engineer or the Health and Safety Officer. The procedure for reporting issues of concern is set out in the Safety Statement.

The Beach • All equipment must be checked daily (each morning) to see that it is in working order and ready for use. Any defects notified should be reported immediately to the Council. To inspect all lifesaving and first aid equipment on arrival for duty to ensure that adequate stocks are available and in good working order.

• Indication flags should be placed in prominent positions. The following flag system is to be used: ➢ Red flag signifies that bathing is considered temporarily unsafe. ➢ Red over yellow flag signifies that bathing between any two such flags is under supervision of Beach Lifeguard. ➢ No flag is flown if there is no Beach Lifeguard on duty.

• Ensure that from the start of the duty period, the appropriate flags are flown and are changed or re-located as necessary during the day.

• Ensure at the conclusion of the duty period each evening, that all flags are removed and that all equipment is checked and securely stored in the appropriate place.

• Ensure that, except for emergency assistance or official business, no one other than lifeguard personnel are permitted in the lifeguard station.

Bathers

• Beach Lifeguards must always be courteous to bathers and give them the necessary information regarding state of tides, currents and parts of strand which are not safe for bathing.

• If, in the Beach Lifeguard’s opinion, bathers are about to enter water at a point which is considered dangerous owing to currents, shifting sands, etc., they should immediately warn them and give the reasons. Practice a philosophy of prevention over reaction in carrying out the service.

• Provide emergency rescue service in the case of accidents.

• Go immediately to the assistance of persons in difficulties in the water and render to such persons the necessary attention; render first aid when possible.

• If the bathers are acting in an indecent manner, the Beach Lifeguard should bring this fact to the notice of An Garda Síochána at the earliest opportunity.

Other Duties for Consideration

• Except when the beach is empty, the Beach Lifeguard should be on patrol or on lookout outside the hut. The Beach Lifeguard should never be inside the hut except when relieved for meals etc. or when they are certain there is nobody on the beach. They should not allow their concentration to be diverted in conversations with the public or in reading, playing cards, using transistors or musical instruments, etc. The operation of any mobile phones/electronic devices for personal use while on duty is prohibited.

• The primary duty of the Beach Lifeguard is to prevent accident situations from developing. The can-buoy should be strategically placed so that it may be used at a moment’s notice. Special vigilance is required where there are rocks or an outflow of a river, as there are likely to be undertows or currents.

• Where Beach Lifeguards have to leave to partake of meals, arrangements should be made that one Beach Lifeguard will be on duty during the other’s absence for such purpose and to patrol their area in addition to their own.

• Where two Beach Lifeguards are on duty on a particular beach – ➢ One Beach Lifeguard shall remain at a vantage point from which a full view of the beach can be had and remain on a constant lookout; ➢ The other Beach Lifeguard shall maintain a patrol of the beach and in such a manner that any given point along the beach is visited at least once in every 15 minutes. ➢ Brief reports should be exchanged when they meet but Beach Lifeguards should never be seen to congregate together or with other groups.

• Carry out a beach patrol which shall be maintained along the beach and when the tide is in, the patrol shall be maintained as close as to the beach as possible.

• Provide constant observation and supervision of activities at public bathing places in order to prevent drowning accidents.

• Inspect the patrol area and, where possible, remove any dangerous or offensive items. If the Beach Lifeguard cannot deal with the matter, they should immediately report to their supervisor.

• Ensure that the Beach Lifeguard station is kept clean and tidy and in a state of readiness for emergencies.

• Where required, assist in opening and closing the public toilets at the start and end of their shift or at an agreed time. The Beach Lifeguards are also to report on the condition of the toilets in their Daily Report Forms and notify in the case of serious uncleanliness or damage.

• At appropriate times, check the ring buoys and other safety equipment on the beach.

• Beach Lifeguards may be required to assist in conducting aquatic events and water safety programs.

• Beach Lifeguards shall carry out all appropriate duties as laid down in the Irish Water Safety Lifeguard Handbook.

• Beach Lifeguards should complete sign-in sheets on commencing and ceasing duty at morning, meal-time and evening each day and should make a note of any incidents such as rescues using rescue report forms etc. All report forms should be available at all times for inspection by any duly authorised member of the County Council’s staff.

• Record daily using sign-in sheets and daily report forms: ➢ The names and attendance times of all Beach Lifeguards on duty. ➢ The general weather and tidal conditions. ➢ What flags were flown and when they were changed during the day. ➢ Any information which may assist the Authorities in improving the service.

• The Beach Lifeguards will be required to keep an “Accident and Incident Record” using “Rescue / Assisted Person” Report Form.

• The Senior Beach Lifeguard at each location will, in addition to carrying out all of the duties, etc., of Beach Lifeguard (including taking full part in any roster arrangements), be responsible for ensuring that the Beach Lifeguards at their location comply fully with the terms of the duties, responsibilities and general regulations of the post.

• Provide water samples for the Water Quality Section, Environment Department, at various times over the summer season.

• Complete all appropriate forms: sign-in sheets, rescue reports, daily reports, water safety statistic forms.

• Provide advice to the public regarding facilities, state of tides, currents, parts of beach which are not safe for bathing, hazards, water safety etc. Proactively implement this, including but not restricted to, by carrying out Public Relations & Educational patrols during quiet times.

• Beach Lifeguards may if required, be assigned to carry out the duties of Beach Warden on Strandhill Beach to cover periods of leave, etc.

• Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.