Advanced Training
Muriwai VLS offers a variety of advanced lifeguard training for its members. For more info on any of these courses, please contact the Chief Instructor, James Dench at james.dench@gmail.com or visit the Lifesaving Academy webpage here.
First Aid Level 1 (FA1)
First Aid Level 1 is a course designed to build on the basic first aid taught as part of the bronze medallion. This two day course teaches oxygen therapy and resuscitation, scene management, and expands on basic first aid. FA1 is aligned with NZQA Standards 6400, 6401, 6402, and 14470. For more info, or to book a course, please email James Dench
Prerequisites: SLSNZ Member, Age 14+
First Aid Level 2 (FA2)
First Aid Level 2 builds on skills taught in FA1 and introduces the defibrillator (AED) into use as a lifesaving tool, and the usage of stretcher and immobilizers for spinal injuries. FA2 is aligned with NZQA standards 14472 and 14473, and takes one day. For more info, or to book a course, please email James Dench
Prerequisites: SLSNZ Member, Surf Lifeguard Award (Bronze Medallion), FA1
First Aid Level 3 (PHEC)
First Aid Level 3 is the most advanced first training available to lifeguards, and brings lifeguards up to a Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PHEC) level. PHEC is aimed at core senior lifeguards in our club, who have demonstrated their ability to lead crisis first aid situations, and contribute considerable hours to our patrol. PHEC is three day course and teaches advanced skills, pain management, triage, and is practically based. PHEC is aligned with NZQA Standard 14471. For more info, or to book a course, please email James Dench
Prerequisites: SLSNZ Member, Surf Lifeguard Award, FA2, Aged 17+
First Aid Refreshers
First Aid qualifications need to be refreshed every two years. To organize a first aid refresher, please email James Dench
IRB Crewman’s Award
The IRB crewman’s award is designed to teach safe crewing of our inflatable rescue boats, and all other responsibilities of the crewman. Practically taught, this course covers all aspects of patrol usage of IRBs, including launching, beaching, signal communication, and performing rescues. For more information, or to register your interest in this award, please email Christopher Butt at buttc0@gmail.com
Prerequisites: SLSNZ Member, Surf Lifeguard Award (Bronze Medallion), Aged 14+
Senior Lifeguard Award-IRB Driver
The IRB Driver’s Award is designed to teach safe driving of our inflatable rescue boats, through all aspects of patrol. Practically taught, this course fulfils the IRB driver pathway of the Senior Lifeguard Award. Skills taught include solo driving, normal driving, basic engine maintenance, nautical law, rescues, and signal communication. For more information, or to register your interest in this award, please email Christopher Butt at buttc0@gmail.com
Prerequisites: SLSNZ Member, Surf Lifeguard Award (Bronze Medallion), IRB Crewman’s Award, VHF Radio Operator’s Certificate, Aged 16+
Senior Lifeguard Award-Patrol Captain
The Patrol Captain’s award teaches skills required to future patrol captains, including incident management, patrol systems, incident command, human resource management, inter-agency operations, and communications. This course fulfils the Patrol Captain pathway of the Senior Lifeguard Award. For more info, or to book a course, please email James Dench
Prerequisites: SLSNZ Member, Surf Lifeguard Award (Bronze Medallion), 2 Full Seasons patrolling, VHF Radio Operator’s Certificate, Aged 16+
VHF Radio Operator’s Certificate
This course teaches the safe and legal use of VHF radios in New Zealand. Run by the Coastguard, this course is a prerequisite for many other opportunities in surf life saving. For more info, or to book a course, please email Sophie Rowland at sophiejrowland@gmail.com
Prerequisites: SLSNZ Member, Surf Lifeguard Award (Bronze Medallion)
Intermediate Lifeguard Award
The Intermediate Lifeguard award is held as a two day intensive camp. It provides extension training, and skills, development and experience for lifeguards of one to three seasons of experience. Participants complete modules in scanning/surveillance, the drowning cycle, public image, resuscitation, communication, helicopter safety, and rock/surf rescue. For more info, or to book a course, please email James Dench
Prerequisites: SLSNZ Member, Surf Lifeguard Award (Bronze Medallion), 1 Full Season patrolling, FA1, Aged 16+
National Lifeguard Award
The National Lifeguard Award is taught as an intensive three day course that involves dynamic theory sessions and intensive practical and scenario based activities. This course develops leadership, incident management and enhanced lifesaving skills in high pressure situations. A very high level of physical fitness is expected of all candidates who attempt a National Lifeguard School. For more info, or to book a course, please email James Dench
Prerequisites: SLSNZ Member, Surf Lifeguard Award (Bronze Medallion), Senior Lifeguard Award-IRB Driver’s, Senior Lifeguard Award-Patrol Captain’s Award, 3 Full Season patrolling, FA1,2, and PHEC, VHF operators certificate, 800m pool swim in under 14 minutes, Aged 17+