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Without training the club could not operate properly and train up its younger members to become the lifeguards of the future. 

So it is imperative that the club has a good training program in place.

The training schedule that the club operates is as follows:

There are two sessions that take place on Friday Nights at Waterside Farm Leisure Center the first is between 8pm and 9pm while the second is between 9pm and 10pm.

Rookie

The Session that runs between 8pm and 9pm trains a variety of different skilled swimmers from beginners who are trained in the small pool and taught how to swim. Through to Rookies that run through a training pack called the Rookie Lifeguard (Sponsored by SEGA) this involves the Rookie Lifeguard having to achieve four different grades which are called Star Grades. Each of the grades has core subjects which are as follows:

• Water Safety

• Rescue

• Emergency Response

• Self-Rescue 

As the Rookie Lifeguard passes the Star Grade the core skills start getting harder building up the Rookies skill and knowledge so that they can progress on to the next level.

Once the swimmers have completed the Rookie Lifeguard Pack they then Qualify to become Trainee Cadets and can go on to the 9pm to 10pm session and get trained up so that they can go for their Bronze Medallion and Life-support 1 .

TRAINEE CADET

Life Support 1 & Bronze Medallion

The aim of the Life support 1 exam is to establish competent levels of knowledge to be able to administer Basic Life Support and to diagnose and treat choking, bleeding and shock. While the aim on the Bronze Medallion exam is to establish competent levels of knowledge, understanding and practical ability in rescue situations.

The Life Support 1 Exam goes like this:

Demonstration of simulated expired air ventilation

• Demonstrate, on a live simulated casualty, the initial stages of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the correct diagnosis of respiratory and cardiac arrest and the sequence of CPR. Simulate expired air ventilation and action for vomiting, and demonstrate the recovery position.

Demonstration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

• Demonstrate, on an approved manikin, the assessment of an apparently unconscious casualty  followed by a 2 minute sequence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using the techniques appropriate for a single rescuer.

Once all the above has been completed the Trainee Cadet has a theory test where they are asked six questions on:

1. The sequence of resuscitation

2. Choking

3. Bleeding

4. Shock

5. Differences in technique required for the resuscitation of adults, children and infants (babies)

If they complete all of the above to the correct standard then they have passed and can go on to their Bronze Medallion!

The Bronze Medallion Exam goes like this:

Before the Trainee Cadet can even enter the water they have to sit a theory test where they are asked 4 - 8 questions on lifesaving, showing a clear understanding of the following areas:

1. Water Safety

2. Survival in water

3. Rescue Principles

once the theory test has been completed the Trainee Cadet can then get on with the practical exam where they will have to carry out a:

1. Land based Rescue Where there is a conscious casualty in deep water, 2 - 10 meters from safety. A selection of rescue aids is available, as specified by the examiner.

2. Water based Rescue Where a conscious casualty is in deep water, 15 - 20 meters from safety. A selection of rescue aids is available as specified by the examiner.

3. Non - contact Rescue Where a conscious casualty is in deep water, 50 meters from safety. The rescuer will start the test dressed in swimwear and long sleeved shirt, trousers or skirt, any of which may be discarded as desired. No other rescue aids are available. 

4. Contact Rescue Where a conscious casualty is in deep water, 50 meters from safety. No rescue aids are available.

5. Resuscitation Rescue Where an unconscious casualty is submerging 15 meters from safety. No buoyant rescue aids are available.

6. Initiative rescue Where two casualties are in water up to 20 meters from safety. The rescuer will start the test dressed in swimwear, long sleeved shirt, pullover and trousers or skirt. A selection of other rescue aids may be available. Bystanders may be used. 

CADET

Life Support 2 & Award of Merit

The aim of the Life Support 2 exam is to establish proficient levels of knowledge, to be able to administer Basic Life Support and to diagnose and treat choking, bleeding, shock, drowning and hypothermia. While the aim of the Award Of Merit is to establish proficient levels of knowledge, understanding and practical ability in rescue situations

Once the Trainee Cadet has Passed their Bronze Medallion they become a  Cadet and are qualified to help out down at the beach during the summer and can go on to train for their Award of Merit and Life-support 2

The Life Support 2 Exam goes like this:

Demonstration of simulated expired air ventilation

• Demonstrate, on a live simulated casualty, the initial stages of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the correct diagnosis of respiratory and cardiac arrest and the sequence of CPR. Simulate expired air ventilation and action for vomiting, and demonstrate the recovery position.

Demonstration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

• Demonstrate, on an approved manikin, the assessment of an apparently unconscious casualty  followed by a 2 minute sequence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using the techniques appropriate for a single rescuer.

Once all the above has been completed the Cadet has a theory test where they are asked 6 - 8 questions on:

1. The sequence of resuscitation 

2. Choking

3. Bleeding 

4. Shock

5. Hypothermia and Drowning

6. Differences in technique required to resuscitate adults, children and infants

Then there is the Life Support Initiative Test which involves the lifeguard to use his initiative, demonstrating the diagnosis and treatment of one casualty using the skills and knowledge contained in the Life Support 2 syllabus.

AS YOU PROBABLY HAVE SEEN THERE IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LIFE SUPPORT 1 AND 2 HOWEVER THE EXAMINERS FOR LIFE SUPPORT 2 ARE A LOT MORE STRINGENT AND ARE LOOKING FOR A LOT MORE KNOWLEDGE.

The Award of Merit Exam goes like this:

Before the Cadet  even enters the water they have to sit a theory test where they are asked 4 - 8 questions on lifesaving, showing a clear understanding of the following areas:

1. Water Safety

2. Survival in water

3. Rescue Principles

once the theory test has been completed the trainee lifeguards can then get on with the practical exam where they will have to carry out a:

1. Land based Rescue Where there is a conscious casualty in deep water, 5 - 10 meters from safety. A selection of rescue aids is available, as specified by the examiner.

2. Water based Rescue Where a conscious casualty is in deep water, 15 - 20 meters from safety. A selection of rescue aids is available as specified by the examiner.

3. Non - contact Rescue Where a conscious casualty is in deep water, 75 meters from safety. The rescuer will start the test dressed in swimwear and long sleeved shirt, trousers or skirt, any of which may be discarded as desired. No other rescue aids are available. 

4. Contact Rescue Where a conscious casualty is in deep water, 75 meters from safety. No rescue aids are available.

5. Resuscitation Rescue Where an unconscious casualty is submerging 30 meters from safety. No buoyant rescue aids are available.

6. Initiative rescue Where two casualties are in water up to 25 meters from safety. The rescuer will start the test dressed in swimwear, long sleeved shirt, pullover and trousers or skirt. A selection of other rescue aids may be available. Bystanders may be used. 

AS YOU PROBABLY HAVE SEEN ABOVE THERE IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BRONZE MEDALLION AND AWARD OF MERIT  HOWEVER THE EXAMINERS FOR AWARD OF MERIT ARE A LOT MORE STRINGENT AND ARE LOOKING FOR A LOT MORE KNOWLEDGE.

After all these Exams have been completed the Cadet is then welcomed into the club as a Lifeguard 

This Page Has Been Designed By James Harding on Behalf of CANVEY LIFEGUARDS RLSS