Who must be on a Full Patrol, and when must a Full Patrol run?

Crew: a full patrol is 3 or more financial and proficient surf lifesavers who between them hold:

• 3 x Bronze Medallion (PSAR Cert II) qualified members
• Silver Medallion Beach Management or Silver Medallion Patrol Captain
• 1 x Silver Medallion IRB Driver
• 1 x IRB Crew (a different person from the IRB Driver)
• 1 x Advanced Resuscitation Techniques
• Side by Side Vehicle Operation, if applicable to the club

These awards may be held collectively by the Bronze Medallion holders, as long as the same person does not hold both the IRB Driver and IRB Crew positions. Where required, the Patrol Captain may hold any or all of the awards.

When a full patrol must operate:

• during an NSW school holiday period, unless the Branch Director of Lifesaving and State Director of Lifesaving approve an exemption
• on NSW gazetted public holidays during the term of the Lifesaving Service Agreement
• when a planned major community event will attract large crowds to that location or stretch of coastline (an event that significantly increases the likelihood of an injury or drowning there)
• unless the inclement weather provisions apply (see the Surveillance/Inclement Weather Patrol)

Source: SLSNSW Public Safety SOPs (September 2026), PSS 3.3.