Save the Date for Training and Assessment

Fairhaven’s annual seven day Lifesaving Camp offers two pathways for candidates aged 15 and 16 years old. Candidates can achieve the Bronze Medallion and/or complete the Advanced Awards components in First Aid and Advanced Resuscitation Techniques. Candidates are encouraged to obtain their Bronze Medallion first (of which you must be 15 years old to obtain), which involves learning basic first aid skills and developing surf rescue skills. Advanced Awards are the next step, and candidates usually return to Lifesaving Camp for a second year to build on their first aid skills and develop more advanced resuscitation techniques, whilst providing water safety for the Bronze Medallion candidates. The program is led by highly experienced volunteer instructors with significant Surf Club and Australian Lifeguard Service experience. Fairhaven is proud of its strong outcomes and inclusive approach as we welcome participants of any background, experience level, or perceived ability. 

Photo: Lifesaving Camp 2024/2025 (Bronze Medallion candidates, Advanced Awards candidates and Instructors)

The BM is an award that trains you to become a lifesaver on the beach, and is the stepping stone to other skills and awards within the lifesaving movement. You’ll learn to read and negotiate the surf effectively and safely, patrol as a member of a team, provide CPR, basic first aid, and use rescue equipment. To achieve the Bronze Medallion, you will need to complete a timed swim beforehand, attend our course where you will practice practical components and work through a workbook, then finally complete a written and practical assessment. This award is reassessed annually at Skills Maintenance sessions. Fairhaven runs the BM during our pre-Christmas Lifesaving Camp as well as
during the post-Christmas summer period.

Like the Bronze Medallion, the SRC is an award that acts as a gateway to the lifesaving movement. It provides the core skills of the Bronze Medallion required to act in a patrol team environment and to contribute to rescue and first aid events. To achieve the SRC, you will need to complete a timed swim beforehand, attend our course where you will practice practical components and work through a workbook, then finally complete a written and practical
assessment. This award is reassessed annually at Skills Maintenance sessions, unless you achieve the Bronze medallion which replaces and supersedes the SRC. Fairhaven will run one SRC over the post-Christmas period.

In serious medical emergencies, we look to our Advanced Resuscitation Techniques award holders to take the lead in managing patients. This award gives you skills in: the assessment of patients, the use of the Bag and Mask ventilator system, Asthma Management, Airway Suctioning and use of a Semi-Automatic External Defibrillator. The course builds upon resuscitation and oxygen skills learnt in the Bronze medallion. This award is reassessed annually at Skills Maintenance sessions.

First Aid is a program that equips you to manage common occupational medical problems. It covers a broad range of issues and is a nationally recognised First Aid award. This award can be completed by anyone and does not require candidates to hold the Bronze Medallion. This award expires every 3 years and candidates must complete the course in entirety upon expiration of their award to ensure that all First Aiders are up to date with the most recent practices. The CPR aspect of this award expires annual and should be updated by attending the Resuscitation course.

The IRB is one of our most effective pieces of rescue equipment, requiring skill and dexterity to fully exploit its capabilities. The IRB Crew and Driver provide the knowledge and skills to do so safely and these awards form a crucial component in lifesaving operations and water safety. To undertake the courses you must hold a current Bronze Medallion and be at least fifteen years old on the day of assessment for Crew, and seventeen for Driver. To achieve the IRB awards, you will need to attend our course where you will practice practical components and work through a workbook, then finally complete a written and practical assessment. This award is reassessed annually at Skills Maintenance sessions. Fairhaven runs IRB camps where we offer both IRB awards and these typically run outside of the main season when we have the resources and personnel available to give candidates the time in the boat required to gain the essential skills.