What equipment checks are needed at the start of a patrol?
Rule- New South Wales
- Surf Life Saving NSW
- Patrol operations
- Adults 18+
- 2026/27
- Patrol captains
- Public Safety SOPs Sept 2026
The Patrol Captain is responsible for making sure all emergency equipment is in place and in working order. All patrolling equipment is checked on each deployment, with specific attention to the condition and operability of power craft, rescue equipment, and first aid and resuscitation equipment:
- Oxygen resuscitation kits: system test and miscellaneous equipment check; check the oxygen cylinder is over half full; it is strongly recommended that at least 1 full backup cylinder is available.
- Defibrillators: system test and miscellaneous equipment check.
- First aid kits: condition and contents check.
- Power craft: IRB, SSV and 4WD vehicle checks.
- Rescue equipment: rescue board checks, and rescue tube and fins checks.
- Radios: fully charged and operational, set to the correct channels, with two radios on Channel 2 (patrol) and two on Channel 3 (SurfCom).
Damaged or missing equipment is reported in the log, tagged and communicated as soon as possible to the Club Captain or Lifeguard Supervisor. The Patrol Captain also ensures the patrol team checks and prepares all lifesaving equipment before duty.
Source: SLSNSW Public Safety SOPs (September 2026), PSS 7.1 and PSS 7.2.
Added 24 Oct 2026