Professional Ocean Lifeguards gather at Wollongong

Australia's leading career Council Professional Ocean Lifeguards are this week coming together for their annual three day National Professional Ocean Lifeguard Industry Conference at North Beach, Wollongong.

The 16th annual industry conference, 'Beaches are Big Business', commences tomorrow (Wednesday 2nd May) and runs until noon on Friday 4th May 2012.

The conference provides opportunities for ocean lifeguard professionals to up-date their training, review best practices in, rescue, emergency care, community education and client management.
APOLA National President Greg Hackfath explains "like previous conferences which have given rise to using modern medical approaches such defibrillation, the use of analgesic gases for pain management and advanced spinal trauma management, there is always something new for professional lifeguards to learn when we gather annually."

The annual conference, being hosted for the first time by Wollongong City Council, provides the ideal forum for Council lifeguard staff from our major centres and biggest tourist destinations to develop improvement in water safety education, beach management and patient care for visitors to our most popular beaches.

Hackfath who is also the Lifeguard Coordinator at Coffs Harbour, NSW adds "this year we will look at not only consolidating on best operational practice for lifeguard services but also recognise that beaches are often the focal points for business investment and new services that support increases in people choosing to enjoy their recreation at popular beaches."

APOLA National Secretary John Andrews adds "this year's conference topics will include why beaches are business, commercial activity in open space asset protection and rising sea levels, how lifeguards can utilise the latest available rescue and beach transport equipment, systems for risk management, lifeguard training, and how practical based education programs can assist school and university students and at risk groups with hazard identification including rips and how to gain enjoyment from a surf and beach experience. It is so important for all young Australians to learn essential water safety knowledge and skills that could one day save their life, or that of someone else."

APOLA media spokesperson and professional ocean lifeguard of more than twenty years, Terry McDermott, who regularly works at busy Bondi Beach says that the pressure on ocean lifeguards to manage beach visitors is greater than at any other time he can remember.

McDermott believes that the popular Network 10 prime time television series Bondi Rescue (now in its seventh season), has not just been a godsend for community beach safety education, but has also helped viewers gain an insight into the pressures and professionalism required of today's Council professional ocean lifeguards.

McDermott explains "the challenge for all Councils who control and manage our beaches is to continually look to improve all aspects of their Lifeguard operations to ensure that programs always address community education, risk management and environmental care for our beaches while juggling the competing demands of different recreational activity.

"The continued population shift to coastal areas and growth of water sports including small boating, jet skis, kite boards and commercial activity in learn-to-surf and learn-to-paddle have impacted on the traditional role of Council professional ocean lifeguards. Basically community expectation has risen for Councils to provide capable, highly trained lifeguards with a full skill-set in risk management, rescue and conflict resolution."

APOLA President Hackfath is pleased at the calibre of speakers at the conference including Warren Young, Chief Lifeguard, Gold Coast City Council.

Hackfath adds "the annual industry conference also provides career professionals a time for recognising professional lifeguard and community contributions thr ....

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