Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard Association Incorporated. (APOLA Inc.) is a non-profit professional association that is recognised as the peak professional association for Australian professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards. It promotes best practice in ocean water safety and beach management and coordinates professional ocean lifeguard activity in the areas of lifeguard training, community education, tourism support, public relations, regulation and risk management in consultation with Councils and their professional lifeguard services staff. APOLA membership is predominantly full-time career professional beach inspector ocean lifeguards who are employed by Coastal Councils. Typically Council professional ocean lifeguards wear the nationally endorsed workplace uniform for Council Professional Ocean Lifeguards that is a long sleeved white workshirt with blue collar and cuffs and the word LIFEGUARD in block red on the front and back.

Ocean Safety Surf Coach Award (OSSCA)
Cost $90. Re-certification $65
Half day

OSSCA Requirements:

1. Current Senior First Aid Certificate (from an accredited provider)
2. Demonstrated competence in the use of a surfcraft
(surfboard or bodyboard or wave ski)
3. Successful completion of OSSCA ocean surf coach competencies program.

OSSCA Assessment Components:

A. Practical: Pool Swim (500m swim in a pool no less than 25m in length in a time of 10 minutes or less) Ocean Mission over a set M shape course commencing with 300m swim, followed by 250m beach run, followed by 300m surfcraft paddle and concluding with a 250m beach run. Performance indicators include demonstrated skills in negotiating and riding the surf, continuous (no stopping) activity and a recorded time for comparison with other candidates Simulated surfcraft rescues using personal surfcraft such as: paddle to rescue an unconscious and/or conscious patient; demonstrate patient approach; demonstrate rollover, duck-dive and leg-hook patient pick-up techniques; deep water resuscitation, patient return demonstrating patient care including DRABC assessment and placing patient in recovery position

B. Written: Following an audio-visual presentation, complete a written exam on surf coach competencies including knowledge on OSSCA fitness levels, the beach and ocean environment, risk management, basic and intermediate ocean surf coach instruction competencies, basic medical competencies, ocean rescue techniques and the application of ocean surf coach beach management practices.

Re-certification:

If you attained your OSSCA in 2007, you may qualify for re-certification and need only complete core assessment including timed pool swim, ocean mission, stimulated in-water rescues and written exam.

The OSSCA has a currency of 12 months as fitness components must be assessed annually.
Check our website for scheduled classes: http://www.apola.asn.au/notice.htm
ARC / OSSCA courses may be run on the same day

Advanced Rescusitation (ARC)
Cost $110.
Half day

Check our website for scheduled classes: http://www.apola.asn.au/notice.htm
ARC / OSSCA courses may be run on the same day

Senior First Aid
Cost $130.

SFA text and workbook is sent out prior to scheduled day and then participants bring their text books and completed workbooks on the scheduled day.

All information and enrolment:

Office Phone: 02 - 4333 7592
Mobile: 0408 855 267
Email: apola@apola.asn.au
Website: www.apola.asn.au

Address
PO Box 3512
WAMBERAL NSW 2260
Australia

Booking Requirements: Book 48 hours in advance for ARC/OSSCA.
All fees payable on day