How is Skills Maintenance Delivered?

The delivery format of Skills Maintenance is in line with the national Skills Maintenance Framework, although how it is delivered at club level is determined by the Club, their Board and their Chief instructor. Some clubs have one mass Skills Maintenance day, some will link Skills Maintenance to key club activities like Patrols, and others will set up individual events, and you can choose when to attend.

As a member, what do you need to do?

The Trainers, Assessors and your Chief Instructor have a lot of behind-the-scenes work associated with their role. While it is their responsibility to organise Skills Maintenance, as a member, proficiency is your responsibility to ensure you are signed off in all elements. It is not uncommon for a member to think they are proficient but for whatever reason, one element hasn’t been signed off.

Elements to Skills Maintenance

1. eLearning

As a member, you will need to ensure you complete any required eLearning associated with the Skills Maintenance for the award you want to maintain proficient in. To access the eLearning, log into the SLS HUB, (previously known as the Members Area), and find the appropriate eLearning and complete.

If you need assistance in accessing your eLearning check out this short ‘how to’ video.

2. Practical session

Attend any required practical sessions.

No matter how a club chooses to run Skills Maintenance, most will require you to register your attendance via the ‘Training Event’ in the Members Area. This is because Skills Maintenance is managed by the SLS Assessing App. If you are not registered in an event or have not completed any prerequisites, you will not be signed off.

To enrol:

1. Log into the eLearning section of the Members Hub

2. Once in, click training event

3. Use the filters to find the Skills Maintenance Event you want to attend

4. Enrol in course

Skills Maintenance FAQs:

I can’t make my Club’s Skills Maintenance sessions, what can I do?

While Clubs do their best to offer members options, and members are asked to prioritise Skills Maintenance, we understand that sometimes you just can’t make it work.

In this situation, you can join another Club’s Skills Maintenance sessions. You can check when other clubs are holding their events by checking the Training Event section in the Members Area/eLearning section:

You should always check with the other Club to see if it is okay for you to join - you can do this by emailing the club or talking directly to the Chief Instructor. When you attend the session, make sure the person running the session is aware that a) you are there, b) you are from another club, and c) signs you in.

How can I check if my proficiency has been processed?

There are a couple of ways to check on your proficiency status.

• Option 1: Log into your SLS Hub and under the ‘More’, click on ‘Education’ and then ‘My Awards’.

From here, look for your award and then look at the ‘Expiry Date’ for that award. If the date has passed and is in red text, you are not proficient.

•  Option 2: If your club informs you that you are not proficient.

I wasn’t proficient last season, what do I need to do to get back involved?

• If it has been less than one season since you were last proficient, you can undertake the standard skills maintenance.

• If you have not maintained proficiency for longer than two seasons, see the information about Returning Member HERE

What happens if I can’t complete all the Skills Maintenance requirements?

For lots of different reasons, some members may not be able to complete some of the physical elements of Skills Maintenance, such as the Run, Swim, Run or CPR. This may be for temporary reasons such as a short-term injury, illness or pregnancy; or it may be due to something more long term like declining health or long-term injury.

But what can be done if you still want to be involved?

For short-term situations:

• Talk to your Chief Instructor about your situation. The solution may be that you attend a Skills Maintenance session at a later date, the club may hold a catch-up session when you are ready to be assessed, or you attend a session at another club.

  For longer-term situations:

• Again, talk to your Chief Instructor about possible solutions. It might be that you become proficient in the ‘dry elements’ such as Observers, ART, Radio or First Aid, so that you can still patrol for the season but not be involved in any water elements.

However, in some situations, you may need to have some time off until you can complete all elements of Skills Maintenance. When you are ready to return, depending on how long you have not been proficient or your situation, a medical clearance may be required, and you may need to undertake the ‘Returning Member’ process.

Remember, Skills Maintenance is about ensuring that you have the skills, ability and fitness to keep members of the public, your fellow club members, and yourself safe.

What happens if I fail Skills Maintenance?

You can attend as many Skills Maintenance events as needed until you complete all requirements. If you do fail to complete any elements, talk to your Chief Instructor about how and why you didn’t pass. It might be that some additional training or skill development is required. You may be able to attend a Bronze course, get some one-on-one support, review the Bronze eLearning or SLSA - Public Safety and Aquatic Rescue Training Manual before you attempt Skills Maintenance again.

All Club education team members are there to support you. We want you to pass but also make sure it is safe for you to participate in lifesaving activities.

I’m not proficient, but plan to be this season. Can I train, use club equipment or compete in SLSSA events before I am proficient again?

If you are not proficient, you are considered an ‘unqualified participant’ as per the SLSA Policy 1.01 - Water Safety Policy, and therefore should not be training or using club equipment.

However, you may have limited participation rights as long as you meet the requirements of the ‘Non-Award Member Award’, commonly referred to as the ‘120 day Award’ as per SLSA Policies 5.04 - Guidelines for Competition Eligibility

This will provide a practical demonstration of your current level of water competence and fitness, ensuring you are adequately prepared to re-engage in water-based activities.

For more information about this, please click here.

Can I get proficient after December 31 and still compete in Championship events?

Yes, you can still compete at Championship events if you become proficient after January 1 as long as it’s before the event, and as long as you meet any other eligibility requirements, such as patrolling hours.

However, your club’s Chief Instructor is not required to organise or hold Skills Maintenance events after the club has held their Skills Maintenance events. If you are in this situation, talk to your Chief Instructor about your individual needs. 

You should note, if you are not proficient, you can NOT compete in ANY competition event or training.

I only just gained the award this season; do I need to do Skills Maintenance this season?

If you gained your award after July 1 each year, you do not need to do Skills Maintenance as you will be reading as proficient. If you gained an award before June 30, you will need to participate in Skills Maintenance.

If you are looking to compete at any Championship events (State or Aussies) in the season you gain your Bronze Award, you should be aware of how many patrol hours you need for eligibility.

As noted in SLSA Policies 5.04 - Guidelines for Competition Eligibility, the patrol hours required for State and National Titles eligibility will depend on when someone gained their Bronze Award:

• 16 hours is the standard requirement

• 8 hours for those who have approval for the shorter time (ie long service)

• For those who gained their Bronze this season or as a Returning Member, when you became proficient, it is the minimum hours plus “extra”

• Those competing in under 14s don’t need hours, but those in under 15s and above do.

• For those competing in March Past, you may participate with just a proficient Resuscitation Award and no patrol hours are required (triple check with sport)

From the policy: The minimum personal service hour obligations of new members joining or rejoining after January 1 and before December 31 of the preceding year is a minimum of four patrol hours plus proportionate additional patrol and service hours up to the minimum hours 1. The proportion is determined as 1/12th of the hours for each month from the next month after the member has obtained their award/become proficient (as applicable). For example: