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Perform Open Water Rescues Port Macquarie

SISCAQU029

Professional Rescue Training for Natural & Built Aquatic Environments.

The SISCAQU029 – Perform Open Water Rescues unit provides the essential skills and knowledge required to safely conduct rescues in diverse and unpredictable aquatic settings. From the rivers and lakes of the Mid North Coast to built facilities like wave pools and inland lagoons, this course ensures you are prepared to act when every second counts.

This dynamic training is designed for lifeguards, outdoor recreation leaders, and emergency responders. You will move beyond basic pool rescues to master the complexities of natural waterways, including managing currents, tides, and changing environmental hazards.

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Comprehensive Rescue Skills

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Participants gain hands-on experience in a variety of rescue methodologies, focusing on both swim-based and craft-based techniques:

  • Specialised Equipment: Master the use of rescue tubes, rescue boards, surfboards, and other non-motorised paddle craft.

  • Environmental Assessment: Learn to read open water conditions, including waves, debris, and sudden water movement.

  • Victim Management: Training covers rescues for conscious and unconscious victims, managing distressed swimmers, and handling multiple-casualty scenarios.

  • Specialist Roles: Preparation for supervising competitive open-water swimming events and aquatic acitivites.

 

High-Pressure Decision Making

 

Rescue scenarios in open water are often unpredictable. This course emphasises:

  • Clear communication with safety teams and emergency services.

  • Post-rescue care and basic life support.

  • Personal safety protocols to ensure the rescuer is never at undue risk.

  • Alignment with the latest Australian aquatic rescue legislation and best practices.

 

Prerequisites & Recommendations

 

To ensure all participants can safely meet the physical demands of open water rescue, the following are highly recommended:

  • Swimming Proficiency: Ability to swim 400 metres in less than 8 minutes.

  • Prior Knowledge: A basic understanding of water rescue principles is encouraged before undertaking this unit.

 

Career Pathways

 

Completing SISCAQU029 significantly enhances employability for those working in regional recreation reserves, coastal non-surf beaches, and water parks. It is a critical unit for anyone looking to provide professional-grade safety in high-risk, natural aquatic environments.

Swimmers Entering Ocean
First Aid courses Port Macquarie

Units Delivered

The following units will be included in your certificate:​​

  • SISCAQU029 - Perform open water rescues

Course Delivery

This course can be delivered/assessed in the workplace or at facility organised by the training provider.

Course Durations

Course durations can vary for multiple reasons, so the durations below are the minimum possible amount.

  • Refresher Face to Face: N/A

  • Blended Face to Face: N/A

  • Face-to-Face minimum duration 8 hours

  • Online with face-to-face assessment Face to Face contact time of at least 5 hours.

Entry Requirements

An individual undertaking this course with Allens Training Pty Ltd will need to demonstrate the following to be eligible for entry:

  • An official form of photo identification (e.g., driver’s licence, passport, or student ID).

  • Physical capability to be able to meet the demands of the practical demonstration skills including:

    • Demonstrating fitness, strength, efficiency and speed, perform the following complex aquatic rescues:

      • Swim 25 metres and perform a 25-metre tow of a conscious casualty using a rescue tube, negotiating prevailing conditions and environmental hazards

      • Paddle 25 metres on a non-motorised watercraft such a rescue board, paddleboard or surfboard, to rescue a conscious casualty, negotiating prevailing conditions and environmental hazards

  • Visual acuity to see the common visual signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water

  • Hear the common signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water which includes “calling for help”

Please note: As this unit applies particularly to open water lifeguards and individuals such as outdoor recreation leaders, who complete complex water rescues,  it is highly recommended that students will have a basic understanding of performing water rescues, prior to undertaking this unit.  In addition, it is recommended students can swim 400 metres in less than 8 minutes.

The online learning program can be found in the student portal. Students must have access to a computer, smart phone, tablet or other electronic device with access to the internet to complete the online studies and associated assessment tasks.

Delivery mode: Online with face-to-face - The online pre-course learning and theory assessment is expected to take approximately 3 hours to complete. These timeframes are estimates. Individuals with prior experience in similar training may complete the online component in less time, while those new to the subject may need more time to complete all the learning content and theory questions.

Assessment Requirements 

Individuals undertaking this course will be expected to complete both written and practical assessment tasks.

Certificate Renewal Requirements

Learner Rights, Responsibilities & Support

This certificate does not require renewal

Please note that enrolment to this course is made with Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909. Please refer to the student handbook located on the RTO website allenstraining.com.au for all details relating to rights and responsibilities including complaints and appeals.

Assessment Activities

Performance Tasks:

  • Demonstrating the fitness, strength, efficiency and speed, perform the following open water rescues: 

    • Swim 25 metres and then retrieve an object replicating a person at a depth of no greater than two (2) metres) and perform a 25-metre contact tow of an unconscious casualty, negotiating prevailing conditions and environmental hazards

    • Perform an open water rescue using non-motorised watercraft such as a rescue board, surfboard, SUP or canoe, negotiating prevailing conditions and environmental hazards

Documentation: Complete an Incident Report form

Theory assessment: A written exam consisting of multiple-choice and short answer questions must be completed at the end of the training session. Students must answer all questions.

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