2026 Water Safety Handover Procedure

If you are volunteering for Water Safety or as a Swim Marshall, please read through this important procedure document. Thank you!

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Water Safety handover procedure is to establish guidelines for volunteers providing Swim Marshalling and Water Safety during the Head Above Water 24-Hour Swim event. Water Safety is required to ensure the safety of swimmers and maintain continuous vigilance during their shift.

All volunteers involved in water safety are expected to adhere to this policy without exception. Only volunteers who have received water safety training and possess the necessary qualifications (Bronze Medallion or above) will be assigned to water safety duties.

Volunteers must be able to swim confidently and possess basic lifesaving skills, including CPR and first aid certification.

An R3 Trauma Emergency Response Pro First Aid and a Defibrillator will be located on the swimming steps near the BBQ poolside for any emergencies. A logbook will be provided as well to record any relevant notes and incidents.

Please note that during the hours of 8:45am to 5:00pm Collaroy Surf Club will provide radios and Channel 2 is to be used to contact Surf Club Patrol Captain. All volunteers are also required to have a mobile phone available in the event of an emergency to call 000.

EVENT SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

Head Above Water will be managing water safety for the 24-hour Swimathon event and working closely with Collaroy Surf Life Saving Club.

KEY HEAD ABOVE WATER CONTACTS

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

The protocol for reporting and escalation of water safety incidents is as follows:

PRE-SHIFT BRIEFING

Before each shift, outgoing volunteers will conduct a comprehensive briefing with incoming volunteers. This briefing will cover current water conditions, any incidents or concerns from the previous shift, and any specific instructions or updates.

1. Outgoing volunteers will share detailed information regarding ongoing safety concerns, known hazards, or swimmers requiring extra attention. They will also communicate any changes in the event schedule or emergency procedures.

2. Incoming volunteers will visually inspect emergency equipment such as rescue tubes, first aid kits, defibrillation kit and communication devices to ensure their functionality and accessibility. Any deficiencies or missing items must be promptly reported and addressed with the registration desk who will consult with the Event Director and Water Safety lead.

3. Incoming volunteers will overlap with outgoing volunteers for an adequate period to observe and adapt to the water conditions, swimmer behaviours, and ongoing safety challenges to ensure a safe transition is in place.

HANDOVER DOCUMENTATION

Outgoing volunteers will complete a comprehensive handover, documenting (logbook) when required any key details discussed during the briefing, as well as any noteworthy observations or incidents from their shift.

This water safety policy aims to enable effective communication and a seamless transition of water safety responsibilities during the Head Above Water 24-Hour Swim event. By adhering to this procedure, volunteers ensure the safety and well-being of swimmers throughout the entire duration of the event.